Pharmacy Graduates Far Exceed State and National Averages on Licensing Exams

Recent graduates of the St. John Fisher College Wegmans School of Pharmacy earned high percentage pass rates on three licensure exams for 2017.

Far exceeding state and national averages for first time pass rates, 93.42 percent passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), 90.20 percent passed the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE), and 95 percent passed the New York State Part III exam. With the national averages being 81.96 percent, 79.78 percent, and 77 percent respectively, Fisher students scored more than 10 percent higher than the national average on each exam.

“Our students have consistently outperformed national averages on licensure exams and we’re proud of our 2017 graduates who have continued that legacy of success,” said Dr. Christine Birnie, dean of the School. “Their achievements are a testament to their hard work and that of our faculty members who helped prepare our graduates, not only for the exams, but for careers in the pharmacy profession.”

In order to obtain licensure in New York State, pharmacy graduates must successfully pass the equivalent of three exams upon graduation. The NAPLEX is the national pharmacy licensing exam evaluating a candidate’s knowledge of pharmacy practice; the MPJE assesses pharmacy specific federal and state law, and the New York State Part III exam tests compounding, and clinical application skills. The series of exams measure a student’s competence in the practice of pharmacy, including knowledge of medication therapy, patient care, safety standards and the ability to provide medication related information as part of the healthcare team.