In order to become a pharmacist, a person needs to graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy. She must also complete an internship by working with a licensed pharmacist. After she passes a state exam called the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), she can then obtain a pharmacist license.

Most aspiring pharmacists hold a bachelor's degree or have completed at least three years of college before applying to a pharmacy program. Pharmacy schools are accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. The majority of pharmacy colleges require that students who apply must have completed two years of pre-pharmacy college courses. Other requirements to enter a program include passing the Pharmacy College Admissions test (PCAT), a completed application form, and an interview conducted by the pharmacy school.

A Doctor of Pharmacy degree is a four-year professional degree that permits graduates to become pharmacists after receiving a license. This four year degree is in addition to two years in pre-pharmacy coursework. After earning the professional degree, a pharmacist can go on to pursue careers in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical care, and pharmaceutical health policy and management.

Pharmacists earn high salaries but often have to work on nights, weekends, and holidays. They distribute prescription drugs to patients and counsel patients on dosage, side effects, and purposes of the medicines that are distributed. A pharmacist usually works in a retail setting, hospital, nursing home, mental health facility, or clinic. Many pharmacists talk with patients about various health topics including exercise, diet, and stress management. They may even complete insurance forms for patients as part of their pharmaceutical duties.

Pharmacists keep detailed records on all of their patients in order to make sure the medicines dispensed do not cause harmful interactions with medication the patient is already taking. Although the pharmacist is primarily responsible for the accuracy of prescriptions, she also receives assistance from pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides. Pharmacists supervise their staff as the technicians and aides fill prescriptions or perform basic administrative duties.

Anyone who wants to become a pharmacist must be prepared to stand throughout most of the workday. The average pharmacist works about 40 hours a week, but some may work more than 50 hours on a weekly basis. Consultant pharmacists may travel to nursing homes in order to monitor patients' drug therapy.

A license is required to become a pharmacist in all 50 states of the U.S. It is also required in Washington D.C. and all U.S. territories. Since the decisions a pharmacist makes can seriously affect the lives of patients, a pharmacist must be detail-oriented and precise. Those who wish to become a pharmacist must possess a sincere desire to help others as the job involves working with patients on a daily basis.