FAQs - Canada

1. What is PEBC?
   
   
2. What are the requirements for an assessment exam in PEBC?
   
   
3. Where is the PEBC Examination held?
   
   
4. Are there other PEBC testing site outside Canada?
   
   
5. What are the major subject areas of the PEBC Exam?
   
   
6. What do I need to bring on the examination day?
   
   
7. Is there a deadline date for document evaluation?
   
   
8. Is the examination fee refundable?
   
   
9. What are the policies regarding withdrawal/absences for special circumstances?
   
   
10. What if I decided to take the next examination session instead of my scheduled date of examination?
    
    
11. How much is pharmacist’s salary in Canada?
    
    
12. What is a work permit?
    
    
13. What is a Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) confirmation?
    
    
14. Who requires a work permit?
    
    
15. When should I apply?
    
    
16. What requirements must I meet to obtain a work permit?
    
    
17. What documents do I need to apply for a work permit?
    
    

1. What is PEBC?
   PEBC or Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada is the national certifying body that will assess qualifications of pharmacists (both Canadian and foreign graduates) if acceptable to participating pharmacy licensing bodies.
    
2. What are the requirements for an assessment exam in PEBC?
   • Application form properly witnessed
   • CAD $470 fee
   • Document to support identity:
     a. birth certificate
     b. marriage certificate
     c. statutory declaration + supporting documents
     d. Canadian citizenship card
   • Immigration record of landing
   • Documents to support Graduation and Licensing:
     a. university degree certificate
     b. transcript
     c. licensing statement

   The details of the process, as well as the application form for the assessment, may be found in the PEBC website.  (www.pebc.ca)
    

3. Where is the PEBC Examination held?
   The Evaluating Examinations are held at university locations in Canada each summer and winter, as approved by the Board. The 2005-2006 examination centers include:
   • Vancouver
   • Edmonton
   • Saskatoon
   • Winnipeg
   • Toronto
   • Montreal
   • Halifax
   • St. John’s
      
4. Are there other PEBC testing site outside Canada?
   The examination is also available overseas in London, England at an additional fee of $325.
    
5. What are the major subject areas of the PEBC Exam?
   The approximate percentage of questions for each of the three major subject areas represented in an examination is shown in parentheses.

   BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (25%)
   Biochemistry/Nutrition
   Biostatistics/Pharmacoepidemiology
   Physiology/Functional Anatomy
   Pathophysiology/Pathology/Clinical Biochemistry
   Medical Microbiology
   
   PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (55%)
   Pharmaceutics/Drug Delivery Systems
   Pharmacokinetics/Biopharmaceutics
   Medicinal Chemistry
   Pharmacology
   Toxicology
   Pharmaceutical Analysis
   Biotechnology/Immunology
   
   PHARMACY PRACTICE (20%)
   Therapeutics Including Non-Prescription Medications
   Professional Practice
   Pharmacy Administration/Management/
   Health Care Systems/Pharmacoeconomics
   
   
   *Evaluating Examination Subject Areas (revised, 2001 and reviewed annually)

6. What do I need to bring on the examination day?
   • your PEBC Identification/ Card of Admission
   • you may bring a small snack (in a clear plastic bag or see-through container; any wrappers on food products, example chocolate bars, must be removed)

   You Must NOT bring into the Examination:

   • books, notes, envelopes or reference materials of any kind
   • calculators, rulers, pencil cases (these will be provided to all candidates)
   • data organizers or other electronic storage devices
   • pagers or cellular telephones
   • computers of any type
   • photographic or recording devices or
   • papers of any kind, whether
      
7. Is there a deadline date for document evaluation?
   There are two dates: October 14 in order to apply for the January 11-12, 2006 Evaluating Examination and April 7 for the July 12-13, 2006 Evaluating Examination.
   
   If you wish to be considered for an upcoming scheduled Evaluating Examination, it is recommended that you send in the Evaluating Examination application and fee together with your application for Document Evaluation.
    
8. Is the examination fee refundable?
   If you withdraw or are absent from the examination, part of the examination fee for each application will be refunded according to the following conditions:
   • If your notice of withdrawal is received, in writing, by fax, or mail, in the PEBC office on or before the application deadline, your full fee less an administrative fee of $100, that is, $360 will be refunded to you.
   • If you withdraw after the application deadline and up to 8 weeks before the date of the examination, (i.e. before May17 for the examination on July 12 & 13, 2006 or before November 16, 2005 for the examination on January 11 & 12, 2006) 50% of your fee will be refunded to you.
   • If you withdraw less than eight weeks before the examination, your full fee is forfeited.
   • Absence because of certified illness, emergency, bereavement or failure to graduate will be considered case by case.
      

   When you request a refund, you must return your PEBC Identification / Card of Admission (if issued), along with appropriate supporting documents (e.g., original medical certificate, etc.). Refunds are processed after the examination sitting. After a withdrawal, when you re-apply for a future examination sitting, you must submit a new application form with new photographs and the necessary fee.
    

9. What are the policies regarding withdrawal/absences for special circumstances?
   If unplanned incidents arise immediately before, during or before dismissal from the examination, the Presiding Officer is authorized by the Board to make decisions regarding attendance at his/her discretion.
   
   If you are unable to attend a sitting or complete the examination because of illness or for a compassionate reason (e.g. bereavement), you must immediately notify one of the following:
        • the PEBC office
        • the Presiding Officer at the examination centre.
   
   Any request for a refund or for another consideration must include documentation verifying the circumstances. The written request with appropriate documentation must be received by the PEBC office no later than 7 calendar days after the examination.
   
   If absence is due to illness, you must provide an original medical certificate, verifying that you were examined at the time of the illness. The date of the certificate must be appropriate for or should match the examination date.
   If absence is due to bereavement, you must provide a copy of the death certificate, verifying that the bereavement occurred at the same time as the examination date.
    
10. What if I decided to take the next examination session instead of my scheduled date of examination?
    your application or fee cannot be transferred from one session to the next. For example, if you have applied to take the July examination and you decide instead to take the January examination, your application and fee for the July examination is treated as a withdrawal and you need to re-apply for the January examination.
     
11. How much is pharmacist’s salary in Canada?
    A pharmacist is paid 35-45 Canadian Dollar per hour.
     
12. What is a work permit?
    It is a written authorization to work in Canada issued by an officer to a person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. It is required whether or not the employer is in Canada. Usually, it is valid only for a specified job and length of time. A work permit may be issued based on labor market opinion (HRSDC confirmation) or may be issued on the basis of other requirements
     
13. What is a Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) confirmation?
    An HRSDC confirmation is the opinion provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to the officer which enables them to determine whether the employment of the foreign worker is likely to have a positive or negative impact on the labor market in Canada. An HRSDC confirmation may be required in order to be issued a work permit.
    
    The HRSDC confirmation process is started by the prospective employer who contacts HRSDC to get a job offer form. When the form is completed and submitted, HRSDC considers several factors, including the availability of Canadians, the offered wages as well as the economic benefit the foreign worker would bring. HRSDC then provides advice to the officer.
    
    The HRSDC confirmation is typically given for a specific period of time, and the work permit will be issued to coincide with this period. Renewal of a work permit beyond the specified period will therefore likely require a new opinion from HRSDC.
     
14. Who requires a work permit?
    Anyone who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who wishes to work in Canada needs to be authorized to have a work permit. Depending on the nature of the activity, in some cases the person is authorized to work by virtue of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations themselves. In most cases, he or she will need to obtain a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada to work legally in Canada. The requirements to obtain a work permit are outlined in the reply for question no. 17.
     
15. When should I apply?
    One can apply for work permit as soon as a written evidence of job offer, contract of employment or an HRSDC confirmation has been received. In cases where a HRSDC confirmation is not required, one may apply when there is a written evidence of the job offer from the employer.
     
16. What requirements must I meet to obtain a work permit?
    You must show the officer that you meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. You must also:
    • satisfy an officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your employment;
    • show that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family members in Canada;
    • be law abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to provide a police clearance certificate);
    • not be a risk to the security of Canada;
    • be in good health (complete a medical examination, if required);
    • produce any additional documents requested by the officer to establish your admissibility.
       
17. What documents do I need to apply for a work permit?
    Complete the application form and provide the following documents listed below:
    
    Proof of identity
    • a valid passport or travel document that guarantees re-entry to the country that issued it;
    • two photos of yourself and your accompanying family members
       

    Proof of employment in Canada

    • Your job offer letter or contract from your prospective employer, and the file number provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to locate the labor market opinion (confirmation). Your employer should be able to provide you with this file identifier,
    • Evidence that you meet the requirements of the job, possibly including specific educational requirements or past work experience possibly outlined in a resume,
    • Evidence of the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) issued by the Ministère de l’Immigration et des communautés culturelles (MICC), if you work in Québec or will be working in Québec. If you do not need a labor market opinion (confirmation), you will usually not need a CAQ.

    In addition, note that:

    • if you are not a citizen of the country in which you are applying, you must provide proof of your present immigration status in the country of application;
    • if the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit this must be obtained before you apply for a Canadian visa; and
    • other additional documents may be required
       

    WORK PERMIT CHECKLIST (Created: February 20, 2005)

    • Work Permit application form with three photographs
    • Personal Information Form
    • Use of a Representative Form [if applicable]: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5475E.pdf
    • HRSDC confirmation
    • Employment contract, stating:
    • duration of employment
    • salary to be paid
    • Proof of work experience: letter(s) of reference from your employer(s) outlining the duration and nature of your employment
    • note that contact name, address, phone number should be provided
    • Proof of education: Certificates/ Diplomas/ Degrees [including marksheets]
    • CAQ if destined to Québec

    For more information visit these websites:
    http://www.pebc.ca
    http://www.cic.gc.ca