Transfer Your Pharmacy License to Kentucky: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Kentucky Board of Pharmacy ↗
A pharmacist license transfers to Kentucky through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. Kentucky requires passing the Kentucky MPJE before the NABP license transfer application is submitted; a lifetime maximum of five attempts is allowed (the two attempts beyond an initial three require proof of 5 hours of pharmacy-law continuing education). Kentucky is not an NABP UMPJE participating jurisdiction as of 2026-07-21, so the Kentucky-edition MPJE applies.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. Kentucky application fee: $275 (Kentucky Board application fee (includes a $25 National Practitioner Data Bank query), payable via the Licensure Gateway. The IdentoGO fingerprint fee is at the applicant's cost. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee).
Moving to Kentucky from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
The move into Kentucky runs on two steps in sequence. First the NABP eLTP carries your license and NAPLEX record to the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy; then Kentucky's own law exam gates the license. Neither re-tests your pharmacy education — the eLTP is verification, and the law exam covers Kentucky's pharmacy law. Open the e-Profile transfer early, because NABP's verification and scheduling the law exam are the two steps that set your timeline, not the application itself.
No interstate compact for pharmacy; transfer runs through the NABP eLTP and the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy makes the licensure decision. The $275 Board application fee includes a $25 NPDB query (no separate query payment needed). The Kentucky MPJE must be passed before the NABP transfer application is filed; five lifetime attempts are allowed. Kentucky does not appear on NABP's UMPJE participating-states list as of 2026-07-21, so the state-specific MPJE still applies. The online application is filed through the Kentucky Licensure Gateway (https://gateway.pharmacy.ky.gov/).
Kentucky requirements at a glance
| Exam | NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. Kentucky requires passing the Kentucky MPJE before the NABP license transfer application is submitted; a lifetime maximum of five attempts is allowed (the two attempts beyond an initial three require proof of 5 hours of pharmacy-law continuing education). Kentucky is not an NABP UMPJE participating jurisdiction as of 2026-07-21, so the Kentucky-edition MPJE applies. |
|---|---|
| Additional requirements |
|
| Fees | $275 (Kentucky Board application fee (includes a $25 National Practitioner Data Bank query), payable via the Licensure Gateway. The IdentoGO fingerprint fee is at the applicant's cost. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee) |
| Processing time | Board publishes no review-time estimate; excludes NABP eLTP review and MPJE scheduling |
Step by step
- Confirm Kentucky's current requirements on the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy website — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
- Create a profile in the Kentucky Licensure Gateway and complete the Pharmacist Reciprocity Application.
- Register for and pass the Kentucky MPJE before filing the NABP license transfer application.
- Complete the NABP license transfer application (eLTP), which is forwarded automatically to the board.
- Complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check through IdentoGO (service code 27GJX1).
- Pay the fees ($275 (Kentucky Board application fee (includes a $25 National Practitioner Data Bank query), payable via the Licensure Gateway. The IdentoGO fingerprint fee is at the applicant's cost. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee)) and allow Board publishes no review-time estimate; excludes NABP eLTP review and MPJE scheduling.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Kentucky:
Frequently asked questions
Does my pharmacist license transfer to Kentucky?
A pharmacist license transfers to Kentucky through the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program: NABP verifies your active license and NAPLEX history in your e-Profile and forwards them to the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy, which issues the license once you pass its law exam. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. Kentucky requires passing the Kentucky MPJE before the NABP license transfer application is submitted; a lifetime maximum of five attempts is allowed (the two attempts beyond an initial three require proof of 5 hours of pharmacy-law continuing education). Kentucky is not an NABP UMPJE participating jurisdiction as of 2026-07-21, so the Kentucky-edition MPJE applies.. The NAPLEX is not retaken. Kentucky application fee: $275 (Kentucky Board application fee (includes a $25 National Practitioner Data Bank query), payable via the Licensure Gateway. The IdentoGO fingerprint fee is at the applicant's cost. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee).
Do I have to retake the NAPLEX to get licensed in Kentucky?
No — the NAPLEX is a one-time national exam and no board makes you sit it again. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. Kentucky requires passing the Kentucky MPJE before the NABP license transfer application is submitted; a lifetime maximum of five attempts is allowed (the two attempts beyond an initial three require proof of 5 hours of pharmacy-law continuing education). Kentucky is not an NABP UMPJE participating jurisdiction as of 2026-07-21, so the Kentucky-edition MPJE applies..
What does licensing in Kentucky cost an out-of-state pharmacist?
$275 (Kentucky Board application fee (includes a $25 National Practitioner Data Bank query), payable via the Licensure Gateway. The IdentoGO fingerprint fee is at the applicant's cost. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee) (Kentucky Board application fee (includes a $25 National Practitioner Data Bank query), payable via the Licensure Gateway. The IdentoGO fingerprint fee is at the applicant's cost. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the MPJE exam fee).
How long does Kentucky take?
Board publishes no review-time estimate; excludes NABP eLTP review and MPJE scheduling — Board publishes no review-time estimate; excludes NABP eLTP review and MPJE scheduling.
Which law exam does Kentucky require after an eLTP transfer?
NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. Kentucky requires passing the Kentucky MPJE before the NABP license transfer application is submitted; a lifetime maximum of five attempts is allowed (the two attempts beyond an initial three require proof of 5 hours of pharmacy-law continuing education). Kentucky is not an NABP UMPJE participating jurisdiction as of 2026-07-21, so the Kentucky-edition MPJE applies.. The law exam is separate from the NAPLEX and covers Kentucky's own pharmacy law; confirm whether the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy currently gives the MPJE or the Uniform MPJE (verified 2026-07-21).
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Kentucky Board of Pharmacy — Reciprocal Licensure Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Kentucky Board of Pharmacy — Procedures for Obtaining a Kentucky Pharmacist License [License Transfer] (updated 2024-12-10) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NABP — Uniform MPJE participating states (Kentucky not listed) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NABP — Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (eLTP) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]