Document Evaluation

The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) evaluates educational and professional credentials to ensure they meet Canadian standards.

 

Visit PEBC Website

The minimum requirement is a four-year undergraduate degree in pharmacy. International pharmacy graduates can apply for the Evaluating Examination, and U.S. graduates can apply for the Qualifying Examination after completing the Document Evaluation. Document Evaluation results are valid for five years from the results letter date.

Application Steps

1. Register with Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada: Obtain your NAPRA ID number.

2. Create a Portal Account: Set up your account and review the Portal User Guide.

Pharmacist Application Portal

Timeline

  • Submitting Hard Copy Documents: Ensure documents are sent promptly by your institution. If PEBC has not received your application one year after receiving your transcript, your transcript will be shredded.
  • Completion of Online Application: PEBC tracks your application period from the fee payment date.
  • Application Acknowledgement: Within 6 weeks of receiving your application, you will be informed via the Portal if there are outstanding requirements.
  • Completion of Outstanding Requirements: The 8 weeks mentioned for Document Evaluation start once all application requirements are met.
  • Document Evaluation: Takes up to 8 weeks after all documents are received.
  • Results: A results letter will be added to your Digital Wallet within one week of evaluation completion.

Items to Submit to PEBC

  • Application Form: Must be witnessed and properly certified.
  • Certified Identity Documents: Submit a certified copy of one of the following showing your name exactly as it appears on your application and other documents: valid passport, birth certificate, or Canadian citizenship card.
  • Graduation Documents: Transcripts and degree certificates, sent directly from your university.
  • Licensing Documents: Licensing statements sent directly from licensing authorities.
  • Statutory Declarations: Submit originals if required.

How to Properly Certify a Document

  • Make Copies of Originals: Do not make a copy of a copy.
  • Certify Each Page: Stamped and signed by an acceptable witness.
  • Acceptable Witnesses: Notary public, commissioner for oaths, lawyer, embassy/consulate official, or licensed pharmacist or pharmacy technician by a Canadian Provincial Regulatory Authority (PRA)

Translations

If any required document is not in English or French, you must provide a translation that adheres to the following guidelines:

1. Certified Translator

The translation must be performed by an official, certified translator. Depending on the province, the translator should be appointed by recognized organizations such as:

  • Alberta: ATIA
  • British Columbia: STIBC
  • Manitoba: ATIM
  • Ontario: ATIO
  • Quebec: OTTIAQ
  • Saskatchewan: ATIS
  • New Brunswick: CTINB
  • Nova Scotia: ATINS
  • Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut & Northwest Territories: CTIC

For more information, visit the PEBC translation guidelines page.

 

2. Document Requirements

  • Translator’s Stamp and Signature: Each page must include the translator’s original stamp and signature.
  • Original Document Copy: Submit a copy of the original language document with the translation.
  • Credentials: The translator’s name and credentials must be in English or French.
  • Original Translation: Only original translations are accepted; copies are not permitted.

Special Instructions for Specific Documents

Transcripts and Licensing Statements: Ensure the translated document matches the original language version sent directly to PEBC by your university or licensing authority.

Instructions for Completing the Portal Application

Once you create your account, you will find the Document Evaluation application under Applications. There are three phases for the Document Evaluation application. You must complete one phase for the next to appear.

Phase 1: Profile

  • Profile Step: Complete personal details.
  • Education Step: Enter your educational background.
  • Licensing Information: Provide details about your licensing status.
  • Declaration and Terms and Conditions: Agree to PEBC’s terms and conditions.
  • Permission for Representative: Indicate if you allow a representative to correspond with PEBC on your behalf.

Phase 2: Payment

  • Application Fee: Pay the required fee. If you have funds on account with PEBC, use the 3rd Party Payment option. Contact [email protected] for further instructions if needed. Note that the fee is non-refundable once the Document Evaluation is complete. 

Schedule of Fees

Phase 3: Document Evaluation Application

Application – Paper Version: Download, print, and complete the application.

Identification Verification:

    •  Primary Identification: Valid passport, birth certificate, or citizenship card.
    • Name Changes: Provide documentation for each name change. If your name on your ID is spelled differently than on your application or other documents, submit a statutory declaration.
    • Photo Requirements: Passport-acceptable photo, uploaded and hard copy submitted, taken within one year of submission, .jpg format, less than 200 Kb, 400 x 600 pixels minimum, 600 x 800 maximum, scanned at 300 dpi, and cropped.

Education Verification:

    • Degree Certificate: Submit if not included in the transcript.
    • University Transcript: Sent directly from your institution, listing all courses and corresponding grades.
    • Syllabus: Required if the university is not pre-approved, containing course titles and descriptions, representing the year you graduated.

Licensing Verification:

      • Current Licensing: Submit licensing statements from all authorities, issued within one month of the date received by PEBC.
      • Past Licensing: Submit a statutory declaration and past licensing statements.
      • Never Licensed: Submit a statutory declaration confirming you have never been licensed.

PEBC Review:

    • Evaluation Results: Notification within 5 business days via Digital Wallet.
    • Next Steps: Examination application appears in Portal account within one week of evaluation approval.

 

   Results

    • Once your Document Evaluation is finalized, a results letter will be added to the Digital Wallet in your Portal account within 5 business days.
    • Next Steps: If you successfully pass the Document Evaluation, the exam application and ECA Report application will be available in your Portal account under the Credentials section within one week of your Document Evaluation approval.

 

  Communications

    • PEBC ID: Always include your PEBC ID number in any correspondence with PEBC. Your PEBC ID is provided in your Portal account.
    • Response Time: Allow 2 business days for a response to any inquiry before contacting the office about the same matter again.
    • Update Contact Information: Keep your Portal account updated with any changes to your contact information—address, telephone number, and email address—by logging into your account and making the changes in your Portal profile.
    • Email Communication: PEBC will primarily communicate by email. Be sure to check your email regularly and make sure your email settings allow PEBC emails to reach your inbox.
    • Document Receipt: PEBC does not acknowledge receipt of any documents until your Document Evaluation application and fee are received. If you wish to know the delivery status of a document, please check with your courier.
Document Re-evaluation

If you haven’t passed the Evaluating Examination within five years from the date on your Document Evaluation results letter, you will need to undergo Document Re-evaluation before reapplying for the exam.

Applying for Document Re-evaluation

  • Access: Find the Document Evaluation application in your Portal account.
  • Submission: Complete the application and send it via mail or courier.
  • Requirements:
    • Licensing Statements: Update and submit according to your current status.
    • Identification: If your name has changed in the past five years, provide the necessary documentation.

Application Review Process

  • Review Time: It can take up to six weeks to review your application.
  • Notification: You will receive an email update on your application status, including any additional documents needed due to PEBC policy changes.
Visit PEBC Website

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for Canadian Immigration Programs

The PEBC is authorized by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada to provide ECAs for Principal Applicants under the Express Entry for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Canadian Experience Class, where Pharmacy is the primary occupation.

For more details, visit IRCC website.

Job Market Outlook

Visit Job Bank to understand the employment prospects for pharmacists in your intended region of settlement, as there is no shortage of pharmacists in urban centers.

PEBC Certification and Licensing

Review the PEBC website for certification and licensing requirements by Provincial Regulatory Authorities if you intend to work as a pharmacist in Canada.

PEBC Requirements for an ECA Report

  • Document Evaluation: Complete this first to verify your degree is equivalent to a Canadian 4-year Bachelor of Pharmacy.
  • ECA Report Application: Available in your Portal account within 5 business days after Document Evaluation approval. It is optional unless needed for IRCC.

Application Phases

  1. ECA Report Application: Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  2. ECA Report Fee: Pay the fee using the 3rd Party Payment option if applicable. The fee is non-refundable.

Steps After Application Completion

  • Your ECA Report will be uploaded to your Digital Wallet within 5 business days after application and fee approval. You are responsible for submitting it to IRCC, which will verify its authenticity with PEBC.

ECA Report Expiry

  • The ECA Report is valid for 5 years from the issue date. After expiration, you can apply for a new report following the same process and fee payment.