NABP's attempt-limit policy on taking NAPLEX, MPJE to start March 1

Beginning March 1, candidates will have a limited amount of attempts to pass certain testing and licensing examinations.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) will be implementing a new policy that permits candidates to have only 5 attempts each to pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

Despite this new policy, however, NABP’s member boards will still retain full authority to determine a candidate’s eligibility to test for both exams, based on the boards’ specific requirements for their jurisdiction.

Candidates who are in the process of testing for the NAPLEX and MPJE on or after March 1 are subject to the following:

·      Candidates who have attempted to pass the NAPLEX or MPJE 5 or more times will have one final opportunity to pass the exam if given approval to test by a board of pharmacy.

·      Candidates who have attempted to pass the NAPLEX or MPJE less than 5 times are subject to the new 5-attempt limit.

The new policy stems from recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Examinations, which oversees the development and administration of all NABP exam programs. The limitations were approved by the NABP Executive Committee and are consistent with professional standards and practices of other organizations that test licensed professionals, according to NABP.

The only testing limitation prior to this new policy was the waiting period between adjacent attempts to take the NAPLEX or MPJE. These requirements, which are still in place, are:

·      Candidates who fail or do not complete the NAPLEX must wait 91 days before the next attempt.

·      Candidates who fail or do not complete the MPJE must wait 30 days before the next attempt.

Limiting the number of attempts candidates may have to sit for an exam will further protect the security and integrity of NABP exams and conform with best practices in the field of testing and licensing, according to NABP.

Additional information about both exams, including registration and testing requirements, can be found here.