State Pharmacy Boards: How to Verify Pharmacy Licenses to Avoid Counterfeit Drugs
When you pick up a prescription, you assume the pharmacist behind the counter is licensed, trained, and legally allowed to dispense medication. But what if they aren’t? In 2023, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) found that 47% of disciplinary actions against pharmacists involved practicing with an invalid, expired, or suspended license. That’s not a rare glitch - it’s a systemic risk. And it’s how counterfeit drugs slip into the supply chain. The first line of defense? State pharmacy boards are government agencies in each U.S. state and territory that regulate who can legally practice pharmacy. They issue licenses, track renewals, investigate complaints, and suspend or revoke credentials when someone breaks the rules.
Why License Verification Matters More Than Ever
Counterfeit drugs don’t just look fake - they’re often made in unregulated labs overseas, packed with filler chemicals, wrong dosages, or toxic substances. A fake pill labeled as oxycodone might contain fentanyl. A supposed antibiotic might be nothing but sugar and chalk. These aren’t horror stories. In 2022, the FDA reported over 1,200 cases of counterfeit medications seized at U.S. borders - a 34% jump from the year before. And many of these drugs made it into pharmacies because someone was practicing without a valid license.
State pharmacy boards exist to stop this. Each board - there are 56 across the U.S., including territories like Puerto Rico and Guam - is responsible for licensing pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in its jurisdiction. They don’t just check degrees. They verify background checks, exam scores, continuing education, and even disciplinary history. A license isn’t a one-time stamp. It’s a living credential that must be renewed every one to two years. And if a pharmacist gets caught selling fake drugs, the board can shut them down - permanently.
How to Verify a License Yourself
You don’t need to be a regulator to check if a pharmacist or pharmacy is licensed. Every state board offers a free online lookup tool. Here’s how to use it:
- Go to your state’s pharmacy board website. Search for “[Your State] Board of Pharmacy” - don’t use third-party sites.
- Look for a link labeled “License Verification,” “Check a License,” or “Verify a Pharmacist.”
- Enter at least one of these: full name, license number, or city.
- Review the results. Look for the license status: “Active,” “Suspended,” “Revoked,” or “Expired.”
For example, the Maryland Board of Pharmacy’s system lets you search by name, license number, city, or even ZIP code. It shows the issue date, expiration date, and current status. If the license says “Active,” you’re good. If it says “Suspended,” walk away. The District of Columbia’s system warns you: partial names won’t work. You need the full first and last name. No shortcuts.
Some states update their systems slowly. In Maryland, it can take up to three weeks after a renewal for the status to change online. Don’t panic - if the license looks expired but the pharmacist says they renewed, call the board. Most have phone support. Maryland’s number is (410) 764-4755. Don’t rely on what you see on a pharmacy’s website or a third-party directory. Only the state board’s record is official.
The NABP Verify Alternative
If you’re hiring a pharmacist who works in multiple states, or you’re a pharmacist moving across state lines, checking 5 different state boards is a nightmare. That’s where NABP Verify comes in. Launched in 2020, this national service pulls data from 48 state boards that participate in the License Verification Exchange (LVE). It shows you if a pharmacist holds active licenses in multiple states - all in one place.
NABP Verify costs $59 per year. It’s not free, but for employers, hospitals, or pharmacies expanding to new states, it saves hours. One independent pharmacy owner in Colorado cut their credentialing time from 14 days to 3 days using NABP Verify when opening branches in three other states. The service also gives pharmacists a digital badge they can share with employers - a visual proof of compliance.
But here’s the catch: NABP Verify isn’t the official source. It’s a convenience tool. If a license is suspended in Texas but the state hasn’t updated the LVE yet, NABP might still show it as active. That’s why the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) says: always verify directly with the state board before hiring. Don’t trust NABP Verify alone.
What You’ll See in a License Record
A real license verification result includes more than just “Active” or “Expired.” Here’s what to look for:
- Full name - Matches the person you’re checking. Watch for middle initials or maiden names.
- License number - Unique to each state. No two pharmacists have the same number.
- License type - Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, or Intern. Each has different rules.
- Issue date - When the license was first granted.
- Expiration date - When it must be renewed. Some states give a 30-day grace period - but the license is still invalid after the date.
- Status - The most important part. “Active” is good. “Suspended,” “Revoked,” “Probation,” or “Deceased” are red flags.
Some states show disciplinary history too. In 2023, 32 states required pharmacists to complete implicit bias training to renew their license. If you see that requirement listed, it’s a sign the board is serious about standards.
Why Some Systems Are Slow - And Why That’s Dangerous
Here’s the ugly truth: state pharmacy boards are underfunded. Most run on outdated software. The average time for a disciplinary action to appear online? 14.3 days. That’s 2 full days slower than medical boards, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards. A pharmacist caught selling fake drugs might still show as “Active” for weeks after being suspended.
One Reddit user, u/PharmTechJourney, posted in May 2023: “I passed my exam in January. It’s March. My license still says ‘Pending.’ I called the Maryland board. They said, ‘We’re backed up.’” That’s not an anomaly. A 2022 survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association found that 28% of pharmacists had to call their state board directly because the website didn’t reflect their status.
And it’s not just delays. Fake licenses exist. Some criminals use stolen identities or forged documents. If a pharmacy’s website says “licensed” but you can’t verify it on the state board’s site - walk out. No exceptions.
Who’s Using These Systems - And Why
You might think this only matters to regulators. But here’s who’s really using license verification daily:
- Hospitals - 78% now require primary source verification. They won’t hire a pharmacist unless they check the state board themselves.
- Retail pharmacies - 63% won’t accept a resume or a LinkedIn profile. They verify before the first shift.
- Telehealth pharmacies - With online prescriptions rising, verifying the pharmacist’s license in the patient’s state is now mandatory in 41 states.
- Patients - More people are checking before they fill prescriptions. A 2023 Pharmacy Times poll showed 41% of consumers now verify a pharmacist’s license before trusting them with a controlled substance.
The trend is clear: trust is no longer enough. Verification is the new standard.
What’s Changing in 2026
By 2025, the NABP predicts 90% of state boards will have real-time license updates. That means if a license is suspended today, it’ll show as suspended tomorrow. Maryland’s 2023 upgrade already processes over 150,000 verifications in six months. NABP is expanding its service to include pharmacy technicians in Q2 2024. And the Interstate Pharmacy Licensure Compact - now active in 23 states - lets pharmacists practice across borders with one license.
But the biggest change? Public awareness. More people are asking: “Is this pharmacist licensed?” And they’re checking. That pressure is forcing boards to modernize. Cybersecurity is a growing concern too. State health databases saw a 22% spike in attacks in 2022. If a board’s website gets hacked, fake licenses could be issued. That’s why the Government Accountability Office says these systems are still essential - and irreplaceable.
What to Do If You Find a Fake License
If you’re a patient and you find a pharmacist with an expired or suspended license:
- Stop using that pharmacy.
- Report it to your state board. Most have an online complaint form.
- Call the FDA’s MedWatch hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088 if you took a suspicious medication.
If you’re an employer and you hire someone with a fake license? You could be liable. The legal and financial fallout from a counterfeit drug incident can cost millions. Always verify. Always.
Can I verify a pharmacist’s license from another state?
Yes. Every state’s pharmacy board allows out-of-state verification. You just need to go to the correct state’s website. For example, if a pharmacist is licensed in California but works in Florida, you must check California’s board site. Some states require you to enter the full name and license number. Don’t assume their license in one state means they’re legal in another.
Is NABP Verify reliable enough to skip checking state boards?
No. NABP Verify is a useful tool for multi-state verification, but it’s not official. It relies on data pulled from state boards - and those boards update their records at different speeds. If a license was suspended yesterday, NABP might not show it until next week. Always double-check with the state board before making decisions about hiring, prescribing, or trusting care.
What if the license verification website is down?
Call the board. Every state pharmacy board has a phone line for license verification. For example, Maryland’s number is (410) 764-4755. Most boards offer this service during business hours. Don’t rely on a website - especially if you’re verifying someone for employment or treatment. A system outage doesn’t mean the license is valid. Always confirm by phone.
Do pharmacy technicians need to be licensed too?
Yes. In every U.S. state, pharmacy technicians must be licensed or registered. Their licenses are checked through the same state board systems as pharmacists. In 2024, NABP Verify will expand to include technician licenses, making it easier to verify both roles at once. Never assume a tech is qualified just because they’re wearing a uniform.
How often do pharmacists have to renew their license?
Every one to two years, depending on the state. Most states require continuing education credits - often 15 to 30 hours - before renewal. Some states now require training in implicit bias, opioid safety, or medication error prevention. If a pharmacist hasn’t renewed in over a year, their license is invalid. Always check the expiration date.
Next Steps: Protect Yourself and Others
If you’re a patient: before filling any prescription - especially for opioids, antibiotics, or controlled substances - take 30 seconds to verify the pharmacist’s license. Go to your state board’s website. Search by name. Confirm the status says “Active.”
If you’re an employer: make license verification mandatory. Don’t accept resumes, LinkedIn profiles, or third-party confirmations. Always go to the state board. Document every check.
If you’re a pharmacist: keep your license current. Renew early. Report any changes. Your license isn’t just a piece of paper - it’s your legal right to practice. And if you’re licensed, make sure your patients can verify you. Transparency saves lives.
The system isn’t perfect. But it’s the only thing standing between you and a fake pill. Don’t ignore it. Verify every time.