Pharmacists Language Proficiency Requirements – Canada

To practise as a pharmacist in Canada, candidates must demonstrate language proficiency in English or French, depending on the province or territory of practice.
Language proficiency is a mandatory licensure requirement established by provincial pharmacy regulatory authorities (PRAs) — not by PEBC.

Language requirements are managed nationally through Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada and are guided by NAPRA’s Language Proficiency Requirement Policy.

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Accepted Ways to Demonstrate Language Proficiency

You may meet language requirements through one of the following pathways, depending on provincial rules:

  • Approved language test results (most common)

  • Education completed in English or French (accepted by some regulators)

  • Other evidence approved by a provincial regulator (limited cases)

Accepted English Language Tests (Province-by-province):

NAPRA minimum English scores (used by MOST provinces): 

  • IELTS Academic: Listening 7.0 | Reading 7.0 | Speaking 7.0 | Writing 6.5
  • OET: Listening B | Reading B | Speaking B | Writing C+
BC, AB, SK, NB, NS, PEI, & NL

NAPRA minimum English scores:

  • IELTS Academic: Listening 7.0 | Reading 7.0 | Speaking 7.0 | Writing 6.5
  • OET: Listening B | Reading B | Speaking B | Writing C+
ON
  • CELPIP: R10, W9, L10, S10
  • IELTS: Academic  7/7/7/6.5 OR IELTS General L8.5, R8, S7.5, W7
  •  OET: B/B/B/C+
  •  PTE Core: R88, W88, L89, S89

for more, click here

MB
  • CELPIP: R10, W9, L10, S10
  • IELTS: Academic 7/7/7/6.5  OR IELTS General L8.5, R8, S7.5, W7
  •  OET: B/B/B/C+
YT, NWT, & NU

Must be licensed in another province first

Accepted French Language Tests

French language proficiency may be required or accepted in Quebec, New Brunswick, and bilingual regions.

  • TEF Canada

  • TCF Canada

Minimum scores vary by province and must meet regulatory standards.

Quebec – French Language Requirement

In Quebec, French proficiency is mandatory for pharmacist licensure.

You may meet this requirement by:

  • Completing at least three years of full-time education in French.

  • Holding a Quebec secondary school diploma.

  • Obtaining a certificate from the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF).

  • Passing the official OQLF French language examination.

How to Submit Language Proficiency Proof

  • Create a profile on Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada

  • Complete an approved language test (if required)

  • Submit official results directly from the testing body or through online verification

  • Meet any additional provincial requirements

Official Resources (Original Sources)

Score Requirements and other information

Each test has specific language and score requirements that you must meet to demonstrate proficiency. Select your province from the map below for detailed requirements.