Oregon News: Proper Use of Titles

August 1, 2007 3:53 pm

Published in the August 2007 Oregon State Board of Pharmacy Newsletter

The Board’s compliance staff has run across several examples of improper use of the titles PharmD and RPh. This is just a reminder that the title PharmD is a title that describes the academic degree (doctor of pharmacy) achieved by the student and bestowed by the school or college of pharmacy following graduation from a pharmacy professional program. The title RPh is a title that describes the professional license bestowed by a government regulatory agency on a candidate who has completed all the requirements that are prerequisite to licensure. Prerequisites for licensure as a pharmacist, and the ability to display the title RPh, include graduation from a school or college of pharmacy approved by the Board, successful completion of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination™ and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination^® licensure examinations with passing scores, and submission of a completed application provided by the Board.

To elaborate, a person may hold the doctor of pharmacy degree and still not be licensed by the state as a registered pharmacist. This person could use the title PharmD, could perform a variety of research and other activities, but could not independently practice pharmacy, or use the titles pharmacist or RPh. Once the individual has completed the prerequisites and becomes licensed with the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy, he or she then may use the title pharmacist or RPh in addition to PharmD.

To further elaborate, a person may have completed all the courses required for the PharmD without, or without yet, having the degree actually conferred. This person could not use the title. The degree must be conferred before the PharmD title applies, and the license must be obtained before the RPh title applies.