Top 9 Pharmacy Schools with Best MPJE Passing Rates

Prospective pharmacy students interested in law may want to consider applying to the top schools based on Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) passing rates.

In 2015, 9 schools had a 100% passing rate for the exam, which tests students on both federal and state-specific legal topics. For the state-specific topics, each state’s pharmacy board approves the questions, according to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

Students are tested on responsibilities related to distribution and dispensing of pharmaceuticals, licensure and registration requirements, and laws that regulate or affect pharmacists and pharmacies, among other topics.

Here are the top 9 pharmacy schools based on MPJE passing rate data from NABP.

1. Creighton University (44 first-time attempts)

· Creighton also had a 100% passing rate in 2014.

2. Lipscomb University (44 first-time attempts)

· Lipscomb also had a 100% passing rate in 2014 and 2013.

3. Ohio Northern University (108 first-time attempts)

4. Ohio State University (92 first-time attempts)

· Ohio State University also had a 100% passing rate in 2014 and 2013.

5. South Dakota State University (63 first-time attempts)

· South Dakota State also had a 100% passing rate in 2014 and 2013.

· This year, South Dakota State University also had a 100% pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).

6. Touro College of Pharmacy, New York (41 first-time attempts)

7. University of Cincinnati (90 first-time attempts)

8. University of Findlay (51 first-time attempts)

· University of Findlay also had a 100% passing rate in 2014 and 2013

9. University of Kentucky (109 first-time attempts)

· University of Kentucky also had a 100% passing rate in 2013.

NABP noted on its website that a change will be made in April 2016 to update the exam with current content that will better represent the “application of pharmacy law in practice.”

Because of this new content, NABP will not accept registrations from April 4-10, 2016, and exams will not be administered from April 11-14, 2016. Students who wish to register for the updated exam will be able to do so starting on April 12, 2016.

In addition, the exam’s duration will be extended from 2 to 2.5 hours, and the number of test items will increase from 90 to 120. The cost of the test will also increase from $210 to $250, and the re-sitting fee will increase from $90 to $100.

Currently, the MPJE is used in 48 jurisdictions as part of licensure requirements. Arkansas, California, and Virginia, plus Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, do not participate, according to NABP.

In 2015, fewer schools had a 100% passing rate on the NAPLEX than MPJE. Only 2 schools had a 100% pass rate for first-time attempts, but 3 other schools weren’t far off with around 99% of their students passing.

In 2014, 9 US-based pharmacy schools achieved a 100% passing rate on the first attempt.

Prospective pharmacy students may also want to check out a list of the 50 best pharmacy schools in the country, based on US World News & Report’s analysis of 125 Doctor of Pharmacy programs. Surveys were sent to deans, administrators, and faculty at accredited schools in fall 2015 for the 2016 rankings.