Close

Uniform MPJE

About the Uniform MPJE

Ensuring competency in state and federal pharmacy law and providing streamlined pathways to license portability are two goals that can be accomplished together. Working with the boards of pharmacy, we are developing a new version of the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination® (MPJE®). The national, Uniform MPJE will be an additional tool that boards of pharmacy can use to assess licensure candidates’ knowledge of pharmacy law. 

The Uniform MPJE™ (UMPJE™) will assess knowledge of concepts and general principles of state law that are universal to all jurisdictions. When this new exam option becomes available, boards will have the option to begin using the uniform version or continue to use the current state-specific version of the MPJE.

While the UMPJE will cover applicable federal law, it should not be considered a federal law exam. Instead, the UMPJE is designed to leverage the commonality of state laws and will focus on assessing knowledge of uniform pharmacy laws and regulations that are applicable across most states.

Read our recent blog post to learn more about the UMPJE.

“Competency in state and federal law as a key component of safe pharmacy practice.”

Benefits for Pharmacists

One of the most promising aspects of the UMPJE is its potential to further streamline license transfer and exam score transfer processes. The UMPJE will offer flexibility in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, allowing candidates seeking licensure in states that adopt the UMPJE to take only one law exam.

Timeline

  • The UMPJE launches for early adopter jurisdictions in Spring 2026. 
  • The first administrations of the exam will begin in April 2026 for early adopter jurisdictions. Administrations will be open to additional jurisdictions beginning in June 2026. 
  • The candidate application bulletin with information about the UMPJE will be posted on March 2, 2026. 
  • The UMPJE Content Outline is now available. 

We are committed to providing information about the exam development and will be sharing detailed instructions for streamlined transitions to the new pharmacy law exam for both licensure applicants and boards of pharmacy.

Read the Content Outline

Participating States

Several jurisdictions have signed on as early adopters of the UMPJE. Exam administrations to candidates in early adopter states will begin in April 2026. Following is information for candidates seeking licensure in early adopter states.

  1. Iowa

    Effective April 1, 2026, the Iowa Board of Pharmacy will require passage of the UMPJE as a condition for pharmacist licensure. The Iowa MPJE will no longer be offered or required as of April 1, 2026.  

    • New Graduates and Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee™ (FPGEC®) Certified Pharmacists – As of April 1, 2026, graduates of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited program and FPGEC certified pharmacists pursuing licensure in the jurisdiction of Iowa will be required to pass both the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) and the UMPJE. 
    • License Transfer – As of April 1, 2026, licensed pharmacists seeking licensure in Iowa will be required to pass the UMPJE and submit an Electronic Licensure Transfer Program® application. 

  2. Kansas

    Effective April 1, 2026, the Kansas Board of Pharmacy will begin offering both the MPJE and UMPJE as a condition for pharmacist licensure. The Kansas MPJE will no longer be offered or required as of April 1, 2027.

    • New Graduates and FPGEC Certified Pharmacists – As of April 1, 2026, candidates who are prospective graduates from a Kansas ACPE-accredited program and FPGEC certified pharmacists pursuing licensure in the jurisdiction of Kansas will be required to pass both the NAPLEX and the UMPJE or MPJE. The same exam requirements apply to all out of state candidates, but they can take the UMPJE beginning June 1, 2026.
    • License Transfer – As of April 1, 2026, licensed pharmacists seeking licensure in Kansas will be required to pass the UMPJE or MPJE and submit an Electronic Licensure Transfer Program® application.

     

  3. North Carolina

    Effective April 1, 2026, the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy will require passage of the UMPJE as a condition for pharmacist licensure. The North Carolina MPJE will no longer be offered or required as of April 1, 2026.

    • New Graduates and FPGEC Certified Pharmacists – As of April 1, 2026, graduates of an ACPE-accredited program and FPGEC certified pharmacists pursuing licensure in the jurisdiction of North Carolina will be required to pass both the NAPLEX and the UMPJE.
    • License Transfer – As of April 1, 2026, licensed pharmacists seeking licensure in North Carolina will be required to pass the UMPJE and submit an Electronic Licensure Transfer Program® application.

     

  4. Ohio

    Effective April 1, 2026, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy will begin offering the UMPJE as a condition for pharmacist licensure. The Ohio MPJE will no longer be offered or required as of October 1, 2026.

    • New Graduates and FPGEC Certified Pharmacists – As of April 1, 2026, candidates who are prospective graduates from an Ohio ACPE-accredited program and FPGEC certified pharmacists pursuing licensure in the jurisdiction of Ohio will be required to pass both the NAPLEX and the UMPJE or MPJE. The same exam requirements apply to all out of state candidates, but they can take the UMPJE beginning June 1, 2026. 
    • License Transfer – Licensed pharmacists seeking licensure in Ohio should follow the current process to submit an Electronic Licensure Transfer Program® application.

  5. Rhode Island

    Effective April 1, 2026, the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy will require passage of the UMPJE as a condition for pharmacist licensure. The Rhode Island MPJE will no longer be offered or required as of April 1, 2026.

    1. New Graduates and FPGEC Certified Pharmacists – As of April 1, 2026, graduates of an ACPE-accredited program and FPGEC certified pharmacists pursuing licensure in the jurisdiction of Rhode Island will be required to pass both the NAPLEX and the UMPJE.
    2. License Transfer – As of April 1, 2026, licensed pharmacists seeking licensure in Rhode Island will be required to pass the UMPJE and submit an Electronic Licensure Transfer Program® application.

     

FAQs

Iowa

arrow down
Q: I applied for and purchased the Iowa MPJE, but now I want to take the UMPJE instead. What do I do? 
A: If you have an active application and no longer wish to take the MPJE before April 1, 2026, contact NABP to close your application and NABP will issue a full refund of the cost to apply for and purchase the examination.    
Q: What if I am scheduled to take the MPJE on or after April 1, 2026? 
A: All MPJE appointments scheduled on or after April 1, 2026, will be cancelled by NABP and a full refund will be issued.
Q: When can I apply to take the UMPJE?
A: NABP will begin accepting applications for the UMPJE in March 2026.
Q: Will accommodations be available through the Americans with Disabilities Act for the UMPJE? 
A: Yes, NABP will evaluate all ADA accommodation requests. More information can be found in section 7 of the Candidate Application Bulletin. 
Q: What types of study tools will be available for this new exam?  
A: The UMPJE content outline helps applicants gain an understanding of the topic areas covered in the exam. NABP will also launch a practice exam for the UMPJE available for purchase in January 2026.    
Q: What is the last date I can take the Iowa MPJE? 
A: Iowa MPJE exams will continue to be administered until March 31, 2026.  
Q: If I already took the Iowa MPJE, do I need to take the UMPJE also?  
A: If you already achieved a passing result on your Iowa MPJE on or prior to March 31, 2026, you would not need to also take the UMPJE. 

Kansas

arrow down
Q: I applied for and purchased the Kansas MPJE, but now I want to take the UMPJE instead. What do I do? 
A: If you have an active application and no longer wish to take the MPJE before April 1, 2027, contact NABP to close your application and NABP will issue a full refund of the cost to apply for and purchase the examination. Kansas MPJE refunds will be available until April 1, 2027.
Q: Will Kansas have a transition period?  
A: Yes, the Kansas Board will accept a passing result of either the Kansas MPJE or UMPJE taken from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.
Q: What if I am scheduled to take the MPJE on or after April 1, 2026? 
A: For Kansas candidates, MPJE appointments scheduled between April 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, will not be cancelled and may still be completed. MPJE appointments scheduled on or after April 1, 2027, will be cancelled by NABP and a full refund will be issued.
Q: When can I apply to take the UMPJE? 
A: NABP will begin accepting applications for the UMPJE in March 2026. All out of state candidates can apply in March 2026 but will not be able to take the UMPJE until June 1, 2026.
Q: Will accommodations be available through the Americans with Disabilities Act for the UMPJE? 
A: Yes, NABP will evaluate all ADA accommodation requests. More information can be found in section 7 of the Candidate Application Bulletin. 
Q: What types of study tools will be available for this new exam?  
A: The UMPJE content outline helps applicants gain an understanding of the topic areas covered in the exam. NABP will also launch a practice exam for the UMPJE available for purchase in January 2026.    
Q: What is the last date I can take the Kansas MPJE? 
A: Kansas MPJE exams will continue to be administered until March 31, 2027.  
Q: If I already took the Kansas MPJE, do I need to take the UMPJE also?  
A: If you already achieved a passing result on your Kansas MPJE on or prior to March 31, 2027, you would not need to also take the UMPJE. 

North Carolina

arrow down
Q: I applied for and purchased the North Carolina MPJE, but now I want to take the UMPJE instead. What do I do?
A: If you have an active application and no longer wish to take the MPJE before April 1, 2026, contact NABP to close your application and NABP will issue a full refund of the cost to apply for and purchase the examination.
Q: What if I am scheduled to take the MPJE on or after April 1, 2026?
A: All MPJE appointments scheduled on or after April 1, 2026, will be cancelled by NABP and a full refund will be issued.
Q: When can I apply to take the UMPJE?
A: NABP will begin accepting applications for the UMPJE in March 2026.
Q: Will accommodations be available through the Americans with Disabilities Act for the UMPJE?
A: Yes, NABP will evaluate all ADA accommodation requests. More information can be found in section 7 of the Candidate Application Bulletin.
Q: What types of study tools will be available for this new exam? 
A: The UMPJE content outline helps applicants gain an understanding of the topic areas covered in the exam. NABP will also launch a practice exam for the UMPJE available for purchase in January 2026.   
Q: What is the last date I can take the North Carolina MPJE?
A: North Carolina MPJE exams will continue to be administered until March 31, 2026. 
Q: If I already took the North Carolina MPJE, do I need to take the UMPJE also? 
A: If you already achieved a passing result on your North Carolina MPJE on or prior to March 31, 2026, you would not need to also take the UMPJE.

Ohio

arrow down
Q: I applied for and purchased the Ohio MPJE, but now I want to take the UMPJE instead. What do I do? 
A: If you have an active application and no longer wish to take the MPJE, contact NABP to close your application and NABP will issue a full refund of the cost to apply for and purchase the examination. Ohio MPJE refunds will be available until September 30, 2026.
Q: Will Ohio have a transition period?  
A: Yes, the Ohio Board will accept a passing result of either the Ohio MPJE or UMPJE taken from April 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026.
Q: What if I am scheduled to take the MPJE on or after April 1, 2026? 
A: For Ohio candidates, MPJE appointments scheduled between April 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, will not be cancelled and may still be completed. MPJE appointments scheduled on or after October 1, 2026, will be cancelled by NABP and a full refund will be issued.
Q: When can I apply to take the UMPJE? 
A: NABP will begin accepting applications for the UMPJE in March 2026. All out of state candidates can apply in March 2026 but will not be able to take the UMPJE until June 1, 2026.
Q: Will accommodations be available through the Americans with Disabilities Act for the UMPJE? 
A: Yes, NABP will evaluate all ADA accommodation requests. More information can be found in section 7 of the Candidate Application Bulletin. 
Q: What types of study tools will be available for this new exam?  
A: The UMPJE content outline helps applicants gain an understanding of the topic areas covered in the exam. NABP will also launch a practice exam for the UMPJE available for purchase in January 2026.    
Q: What is the last date I can take the Ohio MPJE? 
A: Ohio MPJE exams will continue to be administered until September 30, 2026.  
Q: If I already took the Ohio MPJE, do I need to take the UMPJE also?  
A: If you already achieved a passing result on your Ohio MPJE on or prior to September 30, 2026, you would not need to also take the UMPJE. 

Rhode Island

arrow down
Q: I applied for and purchased the Rhode Island MPJE, but now I want to take the UMPJE instead. What do I do? 
A: If you have an active application and no longer wish to take the MPJE before April 1, 2026, contact NABP to close your application and NABP will issue a full refund of the cost to apply for and purchase the examination.
Q: What if I am scheduled to take the MPJE on or after April 1, 2026? 
A: All MPJE appointments scheduled on or after April 1, 2026, will be cancelled by NABP and a full refund will be issued.
Q: When can I apply to take the UMPJE? 
A: NABP will begin accepting applications for the UMPJE in March 2026.
Q: Will accommodations be available through the Americans with Disabilities Act for the UMPJE? 
A: Yes, NABP will evaluate all ADA accommodation requests. More information can be found in section 7 of the Candidate Application Bulletin. 
Q: What types of study tools will be available for this new exam?  
A: The UMPJE content outline helps applicants gain an understanding of the topic areas covered in the exam. NABP will also launch a practice exam for the UMPJE available for purchase in January 2026.    
Q: What is the last date I can take the Rhode Island MPJE? 
A: Iowa MPJE exams will continue to be administered until March 31, 2026.  
Q: If I already took the Rhode Island MPJE, do I need to take the UMPJE also?  
A: If you already achieved a passing result on your Rhode Island MPJE on or prior to March 31, 2026, you would not need to also take the UMPJE.