How to work as a pharmacist in the U.S.: the complete guide
- Murtaz Navsariwala
- Jan 20
- 4 min read
If you are a pharmacist and dream of living and working legally in the United States, this content is for you.
In this article, we cover the safest and most effective paths to practice your profession in the U.S., with all the information you need about visas, diploma validation, and opportunities in the job market.
Read until the end and discover how the Murtaz Law team can help you turn this dream into reality.
Table of Content
Why the U.S. is a real opportunity for foreign pharmacists
The pharmacist profession is considered strategic within the U.S. healthcare system, which opens real opportunities for foreign professionals who want to practice in a more valued, secure, and financially attractive environment.
In the U.S., pharmacists play a more clinical and active role in the patient’s journey. They are seen as trusted professionals and often serve as the first point of contact within the healthcare system, working in disease prevention, prescription review, and treatment counseling. This approach places pharmacy at a higher level and requires a constant demand for qualified professionals.
Promising outlook:
The U.S. pharmacy sector is projected to grow about 6% per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
There is an expectation of approximately 13,400 new job openings per year through 2032.
Population aging and the rise in chronic diseases reinforce the demand for qualified healthcare professionals, including pharmacists.
Which visas can pharmacists apply for in the U.S.?
To legally work as a pharmacist in the U.S., more than diploma validation is required - you must have the right visa.
The main options include:
EB-3 (Skilled Professionals)Requires a job offer and a labor certification process.
EB-2 with National Interest Waiver (NIW)Ideal for professionals with advanced qualifications who can demonstrate that their work serves the national interest.
👉 In this case, a job offer is not required.
H-1B (Temporary Specialty Occupation Visa)May be an initial step, but it does not replace a Green Card.
According to immigration attorney Murtaz Navsariwala, the Green Card through EB-3 or EB-2 NIW can be an excellent alternative for qualified pharmacists, as long as there is proper planning.
How pharmacy degree validation works in the U.S.
Many professionals believe that obtaining a visa is enough to start working in the U.S. However, to legally practice as a pharmacist, diploma revalidation is mandatory and highly technical.
Main steps of the validation process:
Educational evaluation through FPGEC (Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee)Confirms whether your education obtained abroad meets U.S. standards.
Required exams
TOEFL iBT: English proficiency exam (technical and academic focus).
FPGEE: Exam covering pharmacy knowledge under U.S. standards.
NAPLEX (after passing previous steps): the national licensing exam.
Supervised internshipRequired in some states, ranging from 500 to 1,500 hours, typically in clinical pharmacies or hospitals.
Registration with the State Board of PharmacyEach state has its own regulations. You can only practice legally after receiving state licensure.
Where the best opportunities are and how much pharmacists earn in the U.S.
Pharmacists in the U.S. work in:
Clinical and community pharmacies
Hospitals and clinics
Pharmaceutical industry
Universities and regulatory agencies
💰 Average salary: USD 120,000 per year
📍 Highest-demand locations: New York, Boston, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco
Cities with strong hospital and academic presence hire the most professionals. Recognition and career stability are major advantages for those seeking a better life in the U.S., says Dr. Murtaz.
With all these advantages, many Brazilian pharmacists are pursuing legal pathways to immigrate and practice in the U.S., either through work visas or permanent residency programs such as the Green Card (EB-2 NIW or EB-3).
However, success in this transition depends on two key factors:
Solid immigration and legal planning (to choose the right visa and avoid legal risks)
Commitment to diploma validation and adaptation to the U.S. market
Also read: US Job Market Trends in 2026
Why legal support is essential for this journey
Planning your migration as a pharmacist requires more than motivation - it is a medium- to long-term project that involves:
Understanding immigration requirements
Profile evaluation to define the best visa option
Career planning in the U.S. job market
Compliance with regulatory and academic systems
A strategic mistake can delay or even jeopardize the entire process.
That is why professional legal guidance from the very beginning is the key to success.
With over 17 years of experience and a 99.5% approval rate, Murtaz Law is a reference in U.S. immigration, especially for employment-based visas such as the EB-2 NIW.
Based in Illinois, Murtaz leads Murtaz Law, a firm that combines technical excellence with a strategic and human-centered approach to guide professionals who want to build a legal and successful life in the United States.
We are ready to guide you through every step of the process - from choosing the right visa to diploma revalidation and entering the U.S. job market.
About Murtaz Law
With more than a decade of experience, we take pride in guiding families and individuals on their journey to legally immigrate to the USA, whether temporarily or permanently.
Our success story spans a variety of cases, including temporary immigration, family reunification, naturalization, and especially, work visas like the EB2-NIW, which leads to the Green Card. Over the years, we have built a solid reputation and become a reference for skilled professionals, artists, and elite athletes who wish to expand their careers or undertake ventures in the USA.
Our 99.5% approval rate in cases demonstrates our commitment to a personalized approach, combining ethics, creativity, and deep knowledge of the laws and economic issues. We recognize that each client has a unique story and work side by side, individually, to create tailored strategies that achieve the desired outcomes. We take the importance of our work in our clients' lives seriously. Your future deserves a unique strategy, and we at Murtaz Law have the experience and expertise to meet your immigration needs.
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