California Pharmacist CE Courses (2026)

To renew your Pharmacist license in California you need to satisfy the California State Board of Pharmacy's continuing education (CE) requirement — about 30 hours per 2-year cycle. Below is what the board requires and a comparison of course providers that offer qualifying CE. This is an unofficial guide — confirm any course is board-approved before you buy.

What California requires for Pharmacist renewal

CE hours required30 hours per cycle
Renewal cycle24 months
Governing bodyCalifornia State Board of Pharmacy

Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of approved CE during the two years preceding license expiration. Coursework must pertain to pharmacy practice and come from an ACPE- or CPhA-accredited provider. Of the 30 hours, 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of ethics must be completed via Board-provided webinars (no third-party law/ethics coursework accepted). Licensees renewing after Jan 1, 2024 must also complete at least 1 hour of cultural competency CE. New licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal period. No specific controlled-substance/opioid or immunization CE hour mandate is published as part of the standard 30-hour renewal requirement.

Full Pharmacist renewal guide for California (deadlines, fees & CE) →

California Pharmacist CE course providers

Heads-up: These are independent, third-party CE providers — we are not affiliated with them and don't guarantee approval. Always confirm a course is accepted by the California State Board of Pharmacy before purchasing.

California Pharmacist CE courses: frequently asked questions

How many CE hours do I need to renew my Pharmacist license in California?

California requires about 30 continuing-education hours per renewal cycle. Pharmacists must complete 30 hours of approved CE during the two years preceding license expiration. Coursework must pertain to pharmacy practice and come from an ACPE- or CPhA-accredited provider. Of the 30 hours, 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of ethics must be completed via Board-provided webinars (no third-party law/ethics coursework accepted). Licensees renewing after Jan 1, 2024 must also complete at least 1 hour of cultural competency CE. New licensees are exempt from CE for their first renewal period. No specific controlled-substance/opioid or immunization CE hour mandate is published as part of the standard 30-hour renewal requirement.

Do online Pharmacist CE courses count in California?

Online courses generally count when the provider is approved by or recognized by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Always confirm a course is accepted before you buy it.

Where do I report my California Pharmacist CE?

California generally has you attest to CE at renewal and keep your own documentation in case of an audit. Confirm the current process with the California State Board of Pharmacy.

Requirement last verified 2026-06-01 from the California State Board of Pharmacy. Always confirm current rules with the board before relying on this.

Official California State Board of Pharmacy site →

Pharmacist CE courses in another state

Other CE course guides in California