Pharmacy Technician | NorQuest College

Program requirements for September 2025

Academic requirements

Language Arts – this requirement can be met with any of the following, or an equivalent course:
- 60% in English Language Arts 30-1
- 70% in English Language Arts 30-2
- 60% in ESLG 1860
- 70% in ESLG 1898
Mathematics – this requirement can be met with any of the following, or an equivalent course:
- 60% in Mathematics 30-1
- 60% in Mathematics 30-2
Biology – this requirement can be met with the following, or an equivalent course:
- 60% in Biology 30
Chemistry – this requirement can be met with the following, or an equivalent course:
- 60% in Chemistry 30

Academic Assessment - Applicants who have submitted an application may be able to meet their academic requirements with a free assessment. Click here for more details or email student.advisor@norquest.ca to meet with an advisor.

AND

high school diploma, general education diploma (GED), or equivalent
successful completion of NorQuest College's Pharmacy Technician diploma arithmetic assessment^*

^*View sample questions of the arithmetic assessment.

Note: The academic admission requirements are different from English language proficiency (ELP) requirements.

English language proficiency requirements

If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) before admission. Language proficiency test results must meet the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) language proficiency requirements. These results must be no more than two years old when you start your program.

Test scores we accept:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5, no section score below 6
- TOEFL iBT: 91; no score below 21 in listening, 23 in speaking, 22 in reading, 25 in writing
- MELAB: 81; no score below 80 in listening, 3+ in speaking, 83 in reading, 80 in writing
Graduation from approved Canadian high school, with at least three consecutive years of full-time academic study and satisfactory completion of Grade 12 English or its equivalent. The high school's language of instruction must be English. A GED is not acceptable.
Successful completion of a recognized Canadian undergraduate degree program at a post-secondary institution where the language of instruction is English.

Note: The above language proficiency standards are established by the Alberta College of Pharmacy and the NAPRA. No other evidence of ELP, including completion of NorQuest coursework or other studies in English outside of Canada, will be accepted. ELP is a separate requirement from the English academic admission requirement.

Practicum/work experience requirements

Students may need to travel or relocate anywhere in Alberta to complete their practicum due to site availability and are responsible for the associated costs. Access to a vehicle may be needed. Within the time frame of the program, every effort is made to accommodate student preferences in practicum placements. In extreme circumstances, NorQuest College may need to delay a student’s practicum until a placement becomes available.

Before you attend your practicum, you will need:

to successfully complete of all prerequisite courses.
to successfully complete a pre-practicum assessment (written and practical).
a clear Police Information Check. A Vulnerable Sector Check is also needed if you are over 18 years of age.
an up-to-date immunization records.
to complete the AHS or Covenant Health information & privacy online learning module.
to complete the HSPNet consent form.
N95 mask fit testing (current within two years).

There may be costs associated with completing these requirements. See Completing work, practicum, and clinical requirements for details and further instructions.

International students: You must get a co-op work permit before beginning the work-integrated learning component of the program. A medical exam may also be needed. See Co-op work permit for more information.

Progression and graduation

Students must receive a passing grade in each course to progress through the program. To remain in good academic standing, a minimum term grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 and a passing grade in all Pass/Fail courses (no WF or F) is required.

Due to space restrictions in labs, students who are completing the program on a full-time basis will be given priority over part-time students if class capacity is an issue.

The Academic Standing Policy and Procedure provide further details on the categories of academic standing, and the consequences and supports available if a student is not in good academic standing.
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 in the program’s courses is required to qualify for graduation. The program must be completed within four years of your start date.

Honours criteria

Overall grade point average (GPA) greater than or equal to 3.7
The student must not have failed or repeated any courses

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