New Revisions to NAPLEX

New revisions to the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) will be implemented on November 1, 2015, and immediately affect the pharmacy school class of 2016 and beyond.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) uses the NAPLEX to assess prospective pharmacists’ ability to proficiently practice pharmacy. Currently, this licensure exam is divided into 3 sections.

The first section is about 56% of the test and designed to measure a candidate’s pharmacotherapy knowledge. The second area is about 33% of the test and focuses on a candidate’s ability to safely prepare and dispense medications. The remaining 11% tests an examinee’s skill to promote public health information.

However, the NABP is adjusting the NAPLEX in order to stay up to date with safe and effective pharmacy practice. As a result, 2 sections will comprise the exam, with the first weighing about 67% and the second section about 33%.

The first area tests the examinee’s ability to implement safe pharmacotherapy practice, while the second section focuses on compounding, dispensing, and administering medications. In addition, the examination will increase in length from 185 questions to 250 questions. References:

1. "NAPLEX." National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Web. 05 Sept. 2015.

2. "NAPLEX Blueprint." National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Web. 05 Sept. 2015.