COSTS AND TIME TO LICENSURE

International pharmacy graduates (IPGs) who want to work as a pharmacist in Canada, should be aware of the various fees and costs for each stage of the licensure process. Fees are charged for such things as enrolment in the Gateway, document evaluation, examinations, registration for internships and other items.

If you need to take additional training and education to qualify for a Canadian licence, you will need to plan and budget for those additional costs also.

Costs of Licensure

International Pharmacy Graduates are often unaware of the costs associated with obtaining a licence to practise in Canada. You will need to submit fees to separate organizations at different times throughout the process, such as when enrolling in the Gateway, registering to write exams and applying for your final licence.

Costs will differ for each province and territory. See Licensure Requirements to learn about fees for specific regions.

OTHER Extra Costs

Pharmacy Bridging Program

English Bridging programs vary from 16 – 24 weeks in length and cost between $10,000 and $13,500.

The French Bridging program at the Université de Montréal runs for 16 months and will cost between $7,500 and $8,000. This program is only available to International Pharmacy Graduates who have a decision on partial equivalency from l’Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec, and the number of students that can be accepted is limited.

Despite the seemingly high costs, these courses have been shown to greatly increase International Pharmacy Graduates' success rates at the licensure exams. That, in turn, may help to reduce the total time and expense for you, especially if it reduces the number of attempts required to pass exams.

Some financing options may also be available for candidates wishing to take Bridging Programs, in the form of short-term loans from a Canadian banking institution such as Scotiabank or RBC.

The Immigrant Access Fund (IAF) provides micro loans to immigrants to help them pay for the costs of obtaining the licensing or training they require to work in their field in Canada.

You should also think about the costs of living in Canada while you progress through the licensure process. See Coming to Canada for information about living costs.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 808