PHARMACY INTERNSHIPS

To encourage state boards of pharmacy to adopt the standardized pharmacy internship hour requirements recommended in the National Association of Board of Pharmacy Model Rules for Pharmacy Interns; further,

To support structured requirements, goals, and objectives for pharmacy internship experiences, in alignment with requirements for introductory and advanced pharmacy practice experiences; further,

To promote new staffing models that offer expanded roles for pharmacy interns, providing work experiences that build upon their knowledge and help them develop as future pharmacists.

Rationale

State boards of pharmacy vary with respect to the pharmacy internship requirement. Some state boards of pharmacy allow internship hour requirements to be completed as part of the pharmacy curriculum. Other state boards of pharmacy require students to complete internship hours outside of the pharmacy curriculum.    

Inconsistencies in internship requirements among states have had significant implications for pharmacy residents. Pharmacy graduates from a state with minimal internship requirements may relocate to a state post-graduation for employment with stringent internship requirements, sometimes delaying their eligibility for licensure until they can complete internship requirements. Greater standardization would prevent these issues as new graduates relocate to other states.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Model Rules for Pharmacy Interns requirements coincide with the ACPEAccreditation Standards and Guidelines. In the rule, boards of pharmacy are strongly encouraged to utilize these Accreditation Standards and Guidelines as a basis for the establishment and revision of boardstandards for pharmacy practice experiences.