PEBC Exam Changes: The New Route for International Pharmacists

From January 2027, international pharmacy graduates no longer need to pass the PEBC exam called the Pharmacist Evaluating Examination to become certified in Canada. The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) says eligible graduates with a valid Document Evaluation will go directly to Part I of the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination, a multiple-choice exam [1]. The October 2026 Evaluating Examination is the last one PEBC offers, and the first Qualifying Examination under the new route is in February 2027 [1,2].

If you want to take that first exam, apply soon. PEBC lists the application deadline for the February 2027 Qualifying Examination as 12 pm Eastern Time on 19 November 2026 [1].

This guide explains the new PEBC exam route step by step. It gives the official 2027 dates and fees, the exam formats, and what happens after PEBC when you apply for a provincial licence.

What Has Changed in the PEBC Exam Route?

Under the old route, an international pharmacy graduate had to pass three PEBC exams. These were the Evaluating Examination, then Qualifying Examination Part I (multiple-choice questions, MCQ) and Part II (an objective structured clinical examination, OSCE). The new route removes the first exam [1].

Figure 1. The PEBC route before and after the change: the Evaluating Examination is removed from January 2027 [1].

PEBC says three other things stay the same or improve [1]:

• You still need a completed PEBC Document Evaluation before you can apply for any exam.

• The attempt limit does not change: up to four attempts each at Part I and Part II.

• PEBC is adding more Qualifying Examination sittings in 2027 and an optional practice tool that gives feedback on your readiness for Part I.

The main new rule is about order. If you have not passed the Evaluating Examination, you must now pass Part I before you can apply for Part II [1].

Who Is Affected by the PEBC Changes?

Your next step depends on where you are in the process. The table below summarises the transition rules PEBC published [1].

PEBC also says that candidates who failed the Evaluating Examination three times do not need to complete the remediation in their third attempt letter to be eligible for Part I [1]. The remediation is optional for them. Remediation means extra required study.

The New Route Step by Step

PEBC certification is a national step. After PEBC, you still need a licence from the pharmacy regulator in the province where you want to work [3,4].

Figure 2. The five steps from Gateway enrolment to a provincial licence, with 2027 PEBC fees [2].

1. Enrol in Pharmacists' Gateway Canada. The Gateway is run by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). It is the single starting point that guides international graduates through the licensing steps for each province [3]. The Ontario College of Pharmacists lists Gateway enrolment as step one [4].

2. Apply for PEBC Document Evaluation. PEBC checks that your pharmacy degree and documents meet its standard. The fee is 715 Canadian dollars (CAD) [2]. Documents not in English or French need an official translation [5].

3. Pass Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ). This is now your first PEBC exam.

4. Pass Qualifying Examination Part II (OSCE). You can apply only after passing Part I, unless you passed the Evaluating Examination [1].

5. Become PEBC certified, then complete your provincial regulator's requirements (see the Ontario example below).

Your Document Evaluation is valid for five years. The PEBC FAQ says you have five years from the date on your results letter to pass Part I [5]. Another PEBC page counts the five years from the date the evaluation was approved [1]. Once you pass Part I, it stays valid for the rest of your pathway. If it will expire before the first day of the exam window, you must complete a Document Re-evaluation. It must be completed at least 2 business days before the application deadline [1].

What Is the PEBC Qualifying Exam Format?

Part I: Multiple-Choice Questions

Part I has 200 questions: 150 count towards your score and 50 are unscored pretest questions [5]. You get 260 minutes of testing time [5], within a single-day sitting of 4 hours and 30 minutes [6]. It is closed-book, with only an on-screen calculator and formula sheet [6].

You can sit Part I at a Prometric test centre in Canada or abroad, or at home by remote proctoring (online supervision through your webcam) [7,8]. PEBC warns that not every listed centre will be available when you book [7].

Part II: The OSCE

Part II has 11 scored stations: 9 interactive and 2 non-interactive. Each station gives you 7 minutes to complete a task [9]. In interactive stations you speak with a simulated participant (a trained actor) playing a patient, client or health professional while a pharmacist assessor scores you. In non-interactive stations you work alone, for example checking prescriptions or answering a written drug-information request [9].

The OSCE takes place on the same day at exam centres across Canada [9]. If you live outside Canada, plan your travel and visa early.

How Is the PEBC Exam Scored?

PEBC uses a criterion-referenced pass standard. This means you are measured against a set standard, not against other candidates. Panels of practitioner experts set the minimum performance for each exam [10]. Your result depends on meeting that standard, so there is no fixed pass rate [10].

When Are the PEBC Exam Dates?

PEBC has published four Qualifying Examination sessions for 2027 [2].

Figure 3. PEBC Qualifying Examination windows in 2027 [2].

PEBC Exam Fees for International Graduates

All PEBC fees are in Canadian dollars [2].

This total covers PEBC only. Budget separately for Gateway enrolment, an English test, flights and accommodation for the OSCE, and your provincial regulator's fees. Rescheduling a Part I appointment within 29 days of your appointment costs CAD 60 plus HST, paid to Prometric [2,7].

How Many Attempts Do You Get at the PEBC Exam?

You get up to four attempts at each part of the Qualifying Examination [1,5]. After three failed attempts at a part, you must complete remediation (extra required study) before a fourth attempt [5]. Completing another eligible programme adds four more attempts per part, up to a lifetime limit of eight per part [5].

There is also a second time limit. After you pass the first part, the PEBC FAQ says both parts must be passed within a three-year period [5]. This is separate from the five-year limit on your Document Evaluation.

After PEBC: Getting Your Provincial Licence (Ontario Example)

Each province sets its own licensing rules, so check your chosen province through the Gateway [3]. Ontario shows how much work remains after PEBC. The Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) lists these steps for international graduates [4]:

1. Complete the International Pharmacy Graduate (IPG) Program. OCP says graduates who passed both parts of the PEBC Qualifying Examination on the first attempt are eligible for a different registration pathway [4].

2. Register as an intern and complete practical training. An intern certificate is valid for one year [4].

3. Pass the Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism exam and a Practice Assessment of Competence at Entry (PACE) [4].

4. Show language proficiency. For tests taken from 1 January 2026, OCP accepts, for example, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic with Reading 7, Writing 6.5, Listening 7 and Speaking 7. It also accepts Occupational English Test (OET) with Reading B, Writing C+, Listening B and Speaking B. Each result must come from a single sitting and be no more than two years old [11].

5. Submit your final application with liability insurance and a police background check [4].

Note that, when checked on 16 October 2026, the OCP page still described the old Evaluating Examination step. Confirm the current Ontario process with OCP before you plan your timeline.

Tips for Candidates in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa

Most of the PEBC process can be done from home. These practical points help.

• Pay online if you can. PEBC advises Nigerian candidates to pay application fees online by Visa or Mastercard where possible. If you must pay offline, PEBC asks for US dollars plus an extra 10% [2]. Check your bank's limits on international card payments before the deadline.

• Choose remote proctoring if no centre suits you. Prometric centres outside Canada may not have slots in your time window. Remote proctoring lets you sit Part I from home, but you need a reliable computer, webcam and internet connection [7,8]. Plan for power outages with a backup power source.

• Check the time zone. Your Part I appointment must start within the Eastern Time exam window [7]. Lagos and Accra are 4 to 6 hours ahead of Toronto. Johannesburg is 6 to 7 hours ahead and Nairobi is 7 to 8 hours ahead. The gap changes with the season.

• Plan the OSCE trip early. Part II is held at exam centres across Canada [9]. Apply for a Canadian visitor visa well before the OSCE date you are aiming for.

• Start your English test and documents early. Request transcripts from your university (for example, a school of pharmacy in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or South Africa) early, as delays are common.

• Practise with official material. PEBC recommends a sample practice exam before you apply for Part I [1]. Canadian practice differs from practice at home, so focus on Canadian guidelines, drug names and the pharmacist's scope of practice.

Conclusion

The new PEBC exam route is shorter for international pharmacy graduates: one less exam, and a direct start at Qualifying Examination Part I from February 2027. The steps that remain are Gateway enrolment, Document Evaluation, Part I, Part II in Canada, and your province's own licensing requirements. Check every date and fee on the official PEBC and regulator pages before you pay, because the transition is recent and some pages are still being updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PEBC Evaluating Exam cancelled?

Yes. The October 2026 exam is the last one PEBC offers. From January 2027, eligible international graduates go directly to Qualifying Examination Part I [1].

When is the first PEBC exam under the new route?

The February 2027 Qualifying Examination. Part I runs over several days from 10 February 2027, and Part II (OSCE) is on 21 February 2027 [2]. The application deadline is 12 pm Eastern Time on 19 November 2026 [1].

How much are the PEBC exam fees for international students?

For 2027: Document Evaluation CAD 715, Part I CAD 870 and Part II CAD 1,950, a total of CAD 3,535 if you pass each part first time [2].

Can I take the PEBC exam from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya or South Africa?

You can take Part I at an international Prometric centre or at home by remote proctoring [7,8]. Part II (OSCE) is held at exam centres across Canada [9].

How many questions are on PEBC Part I?

200 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 50 are unscored pretest questions, with 260 minutes of testing time [5].

Do I need a bridging programme to work as a pharmacist in Canada?

Check your province. PEBC certification is national, but each provincial regulator sets its own steps [3]. In Ontario, the IPG Program is part of the pathway, and a different pathway is open to graduates who passed both PEBC parts on the first attempt [4].

What English score do I need to work as a pharmacist in Canada?

It depends on the province. Ontario, for example, accepts IELTS Academic 7 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 6.5 in Writing, from one sitting [11].

References

1. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. New certification pathway for international pharmacy graduates [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; 2026 [updated 2026 Aug 10; cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/pharmacists/new_pathway/

2. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Examination dates and fees [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/general-informations/examination-dates-and-fees/

3. National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. Pharmacists' Gateway Canada [Internet]. Ottawa: NAPRA; [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://www.napra.ca/international/

4. Ontario College of Pharmacists. International pharmacy graduate [Internet]. Toronto: OCP; [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://ocpinfo.com/applicants/register-as-a-pharmacist/international-pharmacy-graduate/

5. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Frequently asked questions [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/faq/

6. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/pharmacists/qualifying-examination/about-the-examination/part-1/

7. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Application for Part I (MCQ) and Part II (OSCE) [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/pharmacists/qualifying-examination/application-for-part-i-and-ii/

8. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Remote proctoring [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/remote-proctoring/

9. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Part II (OSCE) [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/pharmacists/qualifying-examination/about-the-examination/about-the-examination-part-2/

10. Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Examination scoring and results [Internet]. Toronto: PEBC; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://pebc.ca/pharmacists/qualifying-examination/examination-scoring-and-results/

11. Ontario College of Pharmacists. Language proficiency requirements at registration for all applicants (January 2026) [Internet]. Toronto: OCP; 2026 [cited 2026 Oct 16]. Available from: https://ocpinfo.com/applicants/resolution-policies/language-proficiency-requirements-at-registration-for-all-applicants-january-2026/