Transfer Your Pharmacy License to Rhode Island: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)

Updated 2026-10-29 · Data verified 2026-07-21 · source: Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy ↗

Generated from a source-cited dataset with AI-assisted research; facts checked against official sources · How these pages are made

Does my pharmacist license transfer to Rhode Island?

Yes — Rhode Island accepts an eLTP transfer of your license, then gates it behind the state's own pharmacy-law exam. NABP handles the verification through your e-Profile and the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy makes the licensing decision. NAPLEX is not retaken; license history transfers via the NABP eLTP. Effective April 1, 2026, Rhode Island requires passing the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) — Rhode Island is an NABP early-adopter board — before submitting the Licensure Transfer application. The NAPLEX is never repeated. Fee: $250 (Rhode Island pharmacist license fee per the DOH fee structure (216-RICR-10-05-2); the 90-day temporary license is also $250; optional $30 framed certificate. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the UMPJE exam fee).

Moving to Rhode Island from a specific state?

Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.

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Verdict

Licensure by endorsement

The move into Rhode Island runs on two steps in sequence. First the NABP eLTP carries your license and NAPLEX record to the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy; then Rhode Island's own law exam gates the license. Neither re-tests your pharmacy education — the eLTP is verification, and the law exam covers Rhode Island's pharmacy law. Open the e-Profile transfer early, because NABP's verification and scheduling the law exam are the two steps that set your timeline, not the application itself.

No interstate compact for pharmacy; transfer runs through the NABP eLTP and the RI Board of Pharmacy (within the RI Department of Health, Center for Professional Licensing) makes the licensure decision. Rhode Island is an NABP Uniform MPJE early-adopter board (UMPJE effective April 1, 2026, replacing the state MPJE). Fee taken from the RI DOH fee structure regulation; the reciprocity application PDF and health.ri.gov pages returned HTTP 403 to automated fetch, so fee and UMPJE effective date were confirmed via the RI DOH fee-structure rule and the NABP member/early-adopter pages.

Rhode Island requirements at a glance

Out-of-state pharmacist license transfer requirements for Rhode Island, verified 2026-07-21
Fees	$250 (Rhode Island pharmacist license fee per the DOH fee structure (216-RICR-10-05-2); the 90-day temporary license is also $250; optional $30 framed certificate. Separate NABP eLTP fees apply ($300 application + $100 per jurisdiction) plus the UMPJE exam fee)
Processing time	Board does not publish a fixed processing time; a 90-day temporary license bridges the wait for UMPJE results and NABP license-transfer verification

Step by step

Confirm Rhode Island's current requirements on the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy website — rules change.
Submit the endorsement application to the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy (application linked on this page).
Arrange license verification from your current state via the verification system.
Submit the NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program (eLTP) / Licensure Transfer application through your NABP e-Profile.
Pass the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) before submitting the Licensure Transfer application (effective April 1, 2026).
Hold a current, active pharmacist license in good standing in another U.S. state or DC.
A 90-day temporary pharmacist license may be granted while awaiting UMPJE passage and the NABP license transfer.
Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.