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Licensing Procedures for Military Personnel

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians

The Board has developed preferential licensing procedures for certain military personnel and their spouses seeking or holding pharmacist or pharmacy technician credentials. 

Eligibility Criteria

Military Trained Applicant:

Has completed a military program of training, been awarded a military occupational specialty, and performed in that specialty at a level that is substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for pharmacist or technician licensure in this state;

Has engaged in the active practice of pharmacy or assisted in the practice of pharmacy; and

Has not been disciplined in any jurisdiction for an act that would have constituted grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice or assist in the practice of pharmacy in this state at the time the act was committed.

Military Spouse:

Can demonstrate marriage to a person in active duty military service with or commitment to reserve duty, as evidenced by legible copies of marriage license and military orders;

Holds a current and unrestricted license to practice or assist in the practice of pharmacy in another jurisdiction within the United States or any of its territories that has not been disciplined by the agency issuing that license; and

Can demonstrate competency to practice or assist in the practice of pharmacy through various methods determined by the Board; e.g., evidence of continuing education activity, letters of competency from previous practice manager, remediation examination, or personal interview.

The provisions of this preferential licensing procedure shall not apply to a military-trained applicant who has received, or is in the process of receiving, a dishonorable discharge from the military.  Further, the provisions of this preferential licensing procedure shall not apply to a military spouse whose spouse has received, or is in the process of receiving, a dishonorable discharge from the military.

Special Work Permit

In the event the military-trained applicant or military spouse intends to practice, assist in the practice of pharmacy, or earn hours as a Technician Candidate before the issuance of the license or certificate, the Board may issue a Special Work Permit to that person. Please submit the following items with your application.

  • Military Trained Applicant – You may submit a request for a Special Work Permit with your active orders from one of the armed forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy).
  • Military Spouse – You may submit a request for a Special Work Permit with your spouse’s active orders from one of the armed forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, or Navy). A copy of your marriage license will be required as well.

No military-trained applicant or military spouse may practice pharmacy, assist in the practice of pharmacy, or earn experience hours as a candidate prior to the receipt of a Special Work Permit or appropriate credential, or with an expired Special Work Permit or pharmacist license, technician certificate, or candidate registration. The Special Work Permit shall expire 120 days after the date of issue, and the permit shall not be renewable. The Special Work Permit shall not be eligible for reciprocity to any other jurisdiction. 

Application Process

Upon receipt of the application for pharmacist licensure, technician certificate, or technician candidate registration by a military-trained applicant or military spouse, the Board office shall mark the application for priority processing and preserve that status until the license is issued, or in the alternative, the Board gives notice of its intent to deny the application and refuse to issue the license. 

Applications for Pharmacy Technician and Candidates can be found here. 
Applications for Pharmacist License can be found here. 

Special Designations for Licenses

Once the pharmacist license or pharmacy technician certificate is issued, the Board has special designations available for those serving on active duty in the armed forces as well as military spouses.

  • Military personnel serving on active duty in one of the armed forces may request the "Military" (CPT-M or PST-M) designation.  The request must be in written form and may be sent via email, fax, or mail to the Board office.  There is no fee for the designation.  Licensees holding the Military designation are not required to comply with the continuing education (CE) rules and are also exempt from certificate renewal fees.
  • Military spouses may request the Military Spouse (CPT-MS or PST-MS) designation. The request must be in written form and may be sent via email, fax, or mail to the Board office.  There is no fee for the designation.  Licensees holding the Military Spouse designation are exempt from renewal fees (but not the CE requirements).

If you have questions or would like to submit any requests to the Board office, the email address for the Licensing Division is licensing@pharmacy.la.gov.