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I'm Graduating, Now What?

First, CONGRATULATIONS! As a new pharmacy graduate, your future has boundless potential. Although the profession will surely evolve in new and exciting ways, the skills you have obtained will allow you to practice in diverse areas ranging from hospital and community pharmacy to managed care to health policy-making to drug informatics.

Regardless of your practice interests, the Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) wants to help you every step of the way. IPA hosts educational opportunities, offers chances for professional development and networking, and advocates for pharmacy issues to state and federal policymakers. To give you a taste of how IPA can help you as a new practitioner, we offer recent graduates a coupon towards registration for our Educational Expo or Annual Meeting. Both events offer tremendous opportunities for socializing with your peers, networking with your colleagues, and expanding your clinical knowledge and professional outlook.

Resources for New Graduates

Information on Taking the Board Examinations
What if I want to practice in another state?
Upon graduation, you can practice in any state. To practice pharmacy, you must obtain a license from the state in which you wish to practice. Please note that licensure can vary by state, so please contact the Board of Pharmacy responsible for the state in which you are interested.

For a national listing of Boards of Pharmacy, click here.

For more information about practicing in Iowa, click here.

What are the NAPLEX and UMPJE/MPJE?
The NAPLEX is a computer-based test designed to assess your ability to apply clinical knowledge learned in pharmacy school to scenarios like real-world situations. Many questions involve patient scenarios. Interspersed among these scenario questions are individual “stand alone” questions, which are based only on information within the individual question.

The Uniform Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (UMPJE) assesses a candidate’s knowledge of federal pharmacy law and pharmacy law principles common across participating jurisdictions. Administered by computer, the UMPJE is based on a national blueprint developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and is designed to promote licensure portability while ensuring a consistent examination and scoring process nationwide. As of April 1st, 2026, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy officially requires the Uniform Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (UMPJE) for licensure. The state-specific Iowa MPJE is no longer offered or accepted effective March 31st, 2026.
Each year, IPA, Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, and the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy bring together various faculty and pharmacy experts for a NAPLEX-UMPJE Review Course. This event is developed with participant input, highlighting key areas of interest for preparation of the NAPLEX and UMPJE exams. A recording of the review course can be purchased following the live event.

Exam Registration
Click here to access the state boards of pharmacy to review specific requirements for each state before registering.

Click here for information from the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.
 
Click here for information regarding examinations administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

Click here to NABP’s Candidate Application Bulletin for the NAPLEX, MPJE, and UMPJE. This bulletin provide an in depth review of the steps candidates must take to apply and sit for each of these exams.

Pharmacist License Registration
Contact the individual boards of pharmacy in each state in which you are seeking to receive a license, as many states have different requirements. The board will have information and registration forms available upon request. Fees vary depending upon the state.
 

Post Graduate Opportunities

Personal Resources

  • Pharmacists Mutual – A site for investment advice and insurance, especially for pharmacists.
  • IPA Membership Application (3 Pharmacist Membership Tiers)
  • Leadership Pharmacy Conference – IPA provides this opportunity for pharmacists residing and/or practicing in Iowa or Wisconsin within their first three (3) to fifteen (15) years of practice. It’s educational, professionally rewarding, and fun!
  • ISL Education Lending - IPA has partnered with ISL Education Lending to help you consolidate your student loans.

National Organizations

See below for a listing of national pharmacy organizations that offer opportunities for professional involvement:
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Iowa MPJE Study Guide

Studying for the UMPJE or know someone who is? Download IPA's UMPJE Study Guide – updated for 2026!