PEBC Exam Pass Rate in Canada: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Dreaming of a pharmacy career in Canada? Are you an international pharmacy graduate wondering how to become a licensed pharmacist to practice in Canada? Then, here is your answer: clearing the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) exams is the answer to this.

While the subjects covered as a graduate are the same across the countries, the regulations and laws for each country are different and Canadian Healthcare systems stand out as one of the most advanced and well-structured systems in the world. And to open the doors to your dream career you must clear the PEBC exams as a first step of many to practice as a pharmacist in Canada.

Like all the licensure exams the PEBC exams test your knowledge in pharmaceuticals and your clinical readiness to work as a pharmacist in the Canadian healthcare system. But here is the glitch, the PEBC exam is one of the toughest licensure exams to clear and requires time and dedication.

The toughness of the exam is reflected in the pass rates, but with the right PEBC exam preparation, success is within reach. Let’s look into the stats to understand it better. These facts are not to scare you but to make you better prepared and make you come closer to reality and understand the seriousness of this exam. However, once you clear the exam, there are plenty of opportunities to choose from, giving an edge to all who cleared the PEBC exams due to the shortage of skilled pharmacists in Canada and the growing aging population.

Before we jump into the stats, let’s quickly understand the PEBC exams first.

Overview of the PEBC Exam

• The PEBC certification process is a multi-stage process, and each stage evaluates different aspects of your pharmacy expertise and practical abilities.
• The International Pharmacy Graduates (IPGs) need to clear two main mandate exams:

1.       The PEBC Evaluating Examination, followed by the
2.       Pharmacist Qualifying Examination, which includes two parts:

 Multiple Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) exam or Part 1 and

 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) or Part 2.

Also Read: Applying Document Evaluation for PEBC Certification

Importance of PEBC Exams for Pharmacy Licensure in Canada

The PEBC exams are a mandate for the IPGs to become licensed pharmacists in Canada. These exams ensure that all pharmacists practising in Canada, including the IPGs, meet national standards in providing safe, ethical, and effective patient care in the Canadian Healthcare sector.

Understanding the PEBC Exams

1. Evaluating Examination:

This is a mandatory exam for IPGs and the first exam in the journey. This exam is not for the Canadian candidates appearing for the same goal. But the later exams like Qualifying exam, MCQ and OSCE exams are a common assessment for both IPGs and the Canadian pharmacists seeking the same goal.

• Eligibility: Must hold a minimum of a four-year pharmacy degree from a non-Canadian university. If you are from India, graduates from B Pharm, M Pharm, and Pharm D candidates are eligible for this exam.
• Format:
  • It is a Computer-based multiple-choice exam.
  • The sitting duration of the exam is 3.25 hours, which includes Orientation to Computer-based testing, Examination period, and Post-exam survey.
  • The blueprint of the Evaluating Exam has been revised effective June 2025 with content areas:

• Purpose: These exams assess if your academic background meets even Canadian standards.

2. Qualifying Examination – Part I (MCQ)

This exam tests your pharmaceutical knowledge along with your clinical knowledge, to see how it could be used in real-world pharmacy practice situations.

• Format: Multiple-choice questions
• Focus: Medication management, patient safety, and healthcare decision-making.

3. Qualifying Examination – Part II (OSCE)

This exam assesses your communication, clinical reasoning, and interpersonal skills.

This exam has different stations simulating the real-world scenarios and is a practical exam that evaluates your knowledge application by communicating with a patient or a healthcare professional.

• Format: A series of stations simulating pharmacy practice situations.
• Skills Tested: Patient counseling, ethical practice, and clinical judgment.

Also Read: Who Can Apply for the PEBC Exam in Canada

About the PEBC Exam Pass Rates

Now that we have had a quick understanding of the exams involved to achieve your dream let’s have a look of the stats involved giving you a realistic data which extrapolates to how serious one must be for passing this exam and also highlighting the need for structured preparation and strategic study planning.

Pharmacist Evaluating Examination:

This data is from the PEBC official website from Winter 2021–Winter 2024 Aggregate Data:

Note: Please redo this table as it is AI-generated

• This data from the PEBC website shows that the first-time test takers of 4735 candidates show only a 36% pass rate.
• But in the case of repeat test takers (meaning appearing on the test for not the first time), amongst 2601 members, 38% have cleared the exam.
• With a limited number of attempts of a maximum of 4 times, one must be careful with preparation, and strict mentoring is suggested, considering the difficulty level. These statistics reflect the PEBC Evaluating Exam toughness. Consistent guidance is required during the preparation.
• Elite Expertise is one such preparation platform that offers a preparation course for candidates preparing for the PEBC Evaluating exam.
• Our directors are the trainers here, looking into every hurdle that a student could possibly face during the exam and preparing them for the future.

Pharmacist Qualifying Examination – Latest Pass Rate Statistics

Let’s quickly jump into the latest pass rate statistics to understand the situation further.

Part I (MCQ)

When the stats are compared among the Canadian candidates giving the exam and the International first-time testmakers of an approximate 2000 members the Canadian candidates pass percentage was observed to be 86% while the IPGs were only half of the Canadians percentage (43%). This indicates the level of preparation and hard work that should be put in for this exam.

Part II (OSCE)

Similarly, with OSCE, the IPGs were found to have lower pass rates compared to Canadian graduates, especially in their first attempts. However, repeat test-takers often perform better, which reflects the importance of experience and targeted preparation.

Factors Affecting PEBC Pass Rates

Several key factors can impact your performance on the PEBC exams:

• English Language Proficiency: Language is not just a consideration for Visa and Registration purposes only it is an essential for the patient interaction too. Clear and confident English communication is important for the OSCE, indicating how important communicating with patients is as important as the clinical knowledge.
• Study Materials & Time management: Considering the vast syllabus and time management gimmicks it is difficult for self-study. Choosing a coaching center to prepare you for the PEBC exam is a better option.
• Educational Background: Differences in how different countries train their pharmacists impact the readiness for licensure exams like PEBC.
• Mental and Physical Health: A balanced nutrition, stress management, mental well-being, and quality rest before exams are important contributors to your performance in the exam.
• Experience or Clinical Exposure: Though real-world experience is not a mandate for the PEBC licensure exams, having a direct patient care experience will truly enhance your performance in both MCQ and practical exams

Tips for Achieving a Higher PEBC Exam Score

To maximize your chances of passing the PEBC exams, consider the following strategies:

1. Start Early: Don’t wait for the last moment, fix a date of when you want to give the exam and start your preparation as early as possible which allows you to cover all the topics and have ample time for multiple revisions too, reducing your stress during the exam.
2. Find a Mentor or coaching centre: An experienced mentor who has traveled this path is very important to guide you through this difficult journey.
3. Preparation Material: Do not go around; prepare from any material that you find. Refer to trusted sources only. Streamlining the preparation and considering studying from trusted study guides, online courses, and PEBC-specific materials are essential.
4. Join Study Groups: Birds of the same feather flock together, consider this and find groups of similar interests and goals to make your journey easy. This also allows knowledge sharing and motivates you throughout your preparation.
5. Mock Exams curated for PEBC: Practice time management and take full-length mock exams.
6. Stay Positive and confident: Confidence, mental wellness, and a focused mindset go a long way.

Resources and Support for Canadian Pharmacist Certification

• PEBC Official Website: Going to the source for the information is always the right thing to do if you are looking for right information. In this case consider checking information from trusted sources like PEBC website for updated exam dates, eligibility, and application steps.
• Online Forums and Communities: Connect with fellow candidates for tips and resources.
• Practice Tests and Question Banks: Test yourself as much as possible before the exam to understand your strengths and weak areas. Start working on these weak areas and make them your strengths too by approaching correct guidance from a trainer or a mentor to guide you through.
• Mentorship Programs: Seek guidance from professionals who have successfully cleared the exams or who have tremendous experience in the field of teaching clubbed with practical experience.

Also Read: PEBC Latest Update on Evaluating Exam: What You Need to Know

How Elite Expertise Supports PEBC Candidates

At Elite Expertise, we specialize in helping IPGs succeed in their journey toward Canadian licensure.

Our PEBC Preparation Programs include:

• Comprehensive Preparatory Crash Courses for the Evaluating Exam
• Live interactive classes allow you to discuss your doubts openly and create an environment in which you can understand the topic easily.
• Recorded sessions for flexible learning. We understand that every student is different and provide recorded session to learn and focus at their convenience and speed of learning.
• Study materials, practice tests, and real exam simulations
• Personalized support and performance feedback. We do not just give away the notes and other study material and leave for you to prepare, we provide 1 to 1 doubt clearing sessions and have an eye on your improvement and curate the course according to your needs helping you at every stage.
• Our trainers are our strength. The amalgam of true knowledge and experience is rare to find, but here at Elite Expertise, our directors and teachers, Mr. Arief Mohammad and Mrs. Harila Bheemavarapu are both Consultant Clinical pharmacists and experienced teachers, making your path easy. We also have Mrs Shyama K, who is also a clinical pharmacist in Canada and travelled the path of clearing the PEBC exams and better understand the hurdles in the path giving you the correct path to choose.
• Document evaluation: Try to make your journey easier with the assistance of document evaluation while you are busy preparing for your exam.

With our structured approach and experienced faculty, Elite Expertise empowers candidates to overcome challenges and clear their exams with confidence.

Also Read: Preparing For the PEBC Exam: Key Tips and Best Practices

Final Thoughts from Elite Expertise

The statistics speak to how tough the exam could be. Passing the PEBC exams is no easy feat, especially for international pharmacy graduates, especially with no proper guidance you’ll lose time, energy and money in the process. However, by understanding the structure of the exams, recognizing the factors that influence success, and preparing with the right resources and guidance, you can achieve your dream of becoming a licensed pharmacist in Canada.

Elite Expertise is here to support you every step of the way. Join our growing community of successful pharmacy professionals and take the first step toward your Canadian pharmacy career today.