The NAPLEX and the MPJE are both administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), and most states require you to pass both before they'll license you as a pharmacist — but they test very different things.1 The NAPLEX tests your clinical and pharmacotherapy knowledge nationally. The MPJE tests pharmacy law, and it's specific to the state where you're seeking licensure.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| NAPLEX | MPJE | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Clinical pharmacy practice, pharmacotherapy, drug information | Federal and state-specific pharmacy law |
| Same across states? | Yes — one national exam | No — customized per state/jurisdiction |
| Length | 6 hours (6 hours 45 minutes total appointment) | 2 hours, 30 minutes (3 hours total appointment) |
| Questions | 225 questions (200 scored, 25 unscored pretest) | 120 questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest) |
| Format | Computerized fixed form (not adaptive) | Computer-adaptive |
| Scoring | Pass/fail only, no scaled score | Pass/fail only, no scaled score |
| Administered by | NABP, via Pearson VUE | NABP, via Pearson VUE |
| Retaken per state? | No — a passing score can be transferred to other states through NABP score transfer | Yes for state-specific MPJEs — MPJE results can't be transferred; a passing UMPJE score can be transferred among UMPJE jurisdictions |
Why the NAPLEX Score Transfers and the MPJE Usually Doesn't
The NAPLEX is designed to assess the same core competencies everywhere in the country, so NABP's score transfer program lets you send your result to additional state boards — you don't retake the NAPLEX just because you're licensing in a new state. Score transfers must be purchased before the exam or within 89 days after it; after that window, adding a state generally means licensure transfer once you're licensed.2
The MPJE works differently by design. Because pharmacy law varies significantly from state to state — controlled substance rules, technician supervision ratios, recordkeeping requirements, and more — NABP does not allow MPJE results to be transferred, so a passing MPJE for one state doesn't substitute for another state's law exam. The exception is the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE), used by the jurisdictions on NABP's participating-states list: because it is the same exam in each of them, a passing UMPJE score can be transferred to other UMPJE jurisdictions.2 If you're planning to hold licenses in multiple states, budget time and money for a separate MPJE in each MPJE state, plus one UMPJE if any of your states use it.
Which Exam Should You Take First?
Many candidates take the NAPLEX first. A few reasons this is common:
- The NAPLEX covers a wider breadth of clinical material that's often freshest right after graduation and rotations
- Some state boards require a passing NAPLEX result before they'll let you register for their MPJE
That said, this isn't a universal rule. Some jurisdictions allow either order, so don't assume — check the specific sequencing requirement for the state where you're applying before you register for either exam.3
Do You Need to Study for Them Differently?
Yes. NAPLEX prep is largely clinical: pharmacotherapy, drug interactions, calculations, and patient-specific dosing. MPJE prep is legal and regulatory: what the law requires, who's responsible for what, and where federal and state rules overlap or conflict.
A common mistake is treating MPJE prep like another round of clinical studying. It isn't. You're learning statutes, board regulations, and the practical application of both — closer to studying for a licensing board than a clinical rotation exam.
The Bottom Line
Think of the NAPLEX as your national clinical competency exam and the MPJE as your state-specific legal competency exam. Both are required for licensure in most states, but they're built, scored, and (in the MPJE's case) retaken differently — plan your study time and your exam registration accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the MPJE before the NAPLEX?
In some states, yes. Others require a passing NAPLEX result before you can register for their MPJE. Check your specific state board's sequencing requirement.
If I pass the MPJE in one state, does it count in another?
No. MPJE results can't be transferred, so you pass a separate MPJE for each state that uses one. The exception is the UMPJE: a passing UMPJE score can be transferred to other jurisdictions that use the UMPJE.
Is the NAPLEX harder than the MPJE?
They're different kinds of difficulty. The NAPLEX is longer and covers a broader clinical knowledge base; the MPJE is shorter but requires precise knowledge of a specific state's legal requirements. Difficulty often comes down to how well you've prepared for each exam's actual content, not one exam being universally harder.
Don't let MPJE prep become an afterthought because you just finished a harder, longer NAPLEX. The MPJE is shorter, but a missed state-specific detail on pharmacy law is just as capable of costing you a passing result.
References
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. NAPLEX Exam | Pharmacy Licensure Exam. nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/naplex
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. MPJE Exam | Pharmacy Law Exam. nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/mpje See also the NAPLEX/MPJE/UMPJE Candidate Application Bulletin (exam format, scoring, and score transfers): read.nxtbook.com/nabp/bulletin
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Tips to Successfully Schedule Your Pharmacist Licensure Exams. nabp.pharmacy/news/blog