The Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE) is a pharmacy law exam developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) that most states require, alongside the NAPLEX, before they'll license you as a pharmacist.1 It's a 120-question, computer-adaptive exam that tests both federal pharmacy law and the specific laws of the state or jurisdiction where you're seeking licensure.
Unlike the NAPLEX, which is the same nationwide, the traditional MPJE is unique to each state — which is why pharmacists who want to be licensed in more than one state have generally had to take a separate MPJE for each one. As of 2026, NABP's new Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) is changing this for states that adopt it — more on that below.
How Is the MPJE Structured?
The exam consists of 120 computer-based questions, of which 100 are scored and 20 are unscored "pretest" questions used by NABP to evaluate future exam content — you won't know which is which while you're testing.2 You're given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete it, plus additional time for the tutorial, non-disclosure agreement, and post-exam survey.
The MPJE is computer-adaptive, meaning the exam adjusts question difficulty based on your previous answers. You can't skip a question or go back to change an earlier answer once you've submitted it.
Candidates must complete a minimum number of questions to receive a result, and scoring is pass/fail — you won't receive a numeric or scaled score, just whether you passed.
What Does the MPJE Cover?
Broadly, the exam is built around two categories:
- Pharmacy practice — the application of laws and regulations to dispensing, patient care, and day-to-day pharmacy operations. This makes up the large majority of the exam.
- Licensure, registration, certification, and operational requirements — the rules for becoming and staying licensed, and for operating a pharmacy legally.
Because each state's MPJE is customized, the exact mix of federal and state-specific questions varies by jurisdiction. Some content — controlled substance handling, recordkeeping, and patient counseling requirements, for example — tends to show up across most states in some form, but you should always study the specific rules of the state you're testing in rather than assuming national law is enough.
Who Has to Take the MPJE?
Most U.S. states and the District of Columbia require the MPJE (or the newer UMPJE, discussed below) as part of pharmacist licensure. It's typically taken by:
- Recent graduates of ACPE-accredited pharmacy schools, shortly after earning their PharmD
- Licensed pharmacists applying for licensure in an additional state
- Pharmacists who have completed FPGEC certification (for foreign-trained pharmacists)
A small number of states and territories use their own separate jurisprudence exam instead of the MPJE, or don't require a standalone law exam at all. Because these lists change — and because a state can update its requirements at any time — always confirm current requirements directly with the board of pharmacy in the state where you're seeking licensure, rather than relying on a general list.
What Is the New UMPJE?
NABP has introduced the Uniform MPJE (UMPJE), a version of the exam that assesses general legal principles and concepts common across participating jurisdictions, rather than being built entirely around one state's specific statutes.3 States are choosing whether to adopt the UMPJE in place of their state-specific MPJE, and this transition is actively rolling out.
If you're not sure whether the state you're testing in uses the MPJE or the UMPJE, check the NABP website or your target state's board of pharmacy — this is one of those details worth confirming close to your test date, since adoption is still changing state by state.
MPJE or NAPLEX First?
Many candidates take the NAPLEX first, in part because it covers a broader base of clinical material that's easier to study while it's still fresh from rotations, and in part because some states won't let you register for the MPJE until you've passed the NAPLEX. But this isn't universal — some jurisdictions allow either order. Check your target state's specific sequencing requirement before you register for either exam.
The Bottom Line
The MPJE tests whether you know the pharmacy law that applies where you actually plan to practice — not just federal rules in the abstract. Treat it as a state-specific exam from day one of your prep, confirm your state's current exam version and sequencing requirements with the board of pharmacy, and don't assume what worked for a classmate testing in a different state will transfer directly to yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MPJE hard to pass?
Pass rates are generally solid for well-prepared candidates, but the exam is state-specific and adaptive, which trips people up if they study only general or federal law and skip the state-specific statutes.
Can I retake the MPJE if I fail?
Yes, but jurisdictions set their own retake rules, including waiting periods between attempts and a maximum number of attempts. Check your state board's specific retake policy.
Do I need to take the MPJE separately for each state I want to practice in?
Generally yes, since each state's MPJE (or its UMPJE participation) reflects that state's specific laws. There are a few exceptions where states use their own separate exam or don't require one — confirm with the specific board of pharmacy.
What's the difference between the MPJE and the UMPJE?
The MPJE is built around one specific state's laws. The UMPJE tests legal concepts and principles that are common across the states that have adopted it. Whether your target state uses the MPJE or UMPJE depends on that state's current adoption status.
Before you open a single study guide, confirm three things with your target state's board of pharmacy: whether they use the MPJE or UMPJE, whether you need to pass the NAPLEX first, and their current fee and eligibility requirements. Study time is wasted if you're prepping for the wrong version of the exam.
References
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. MPJE Exam | Pharmacy Law Exam. nabp.pharmacy/programs/examinations/mpje
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. MPJE Overview Fact Sheet. nabp.pharmacy/MPJE-Fact-Sheet.pdf
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Uniform MPJE (UMPJE) Content Outline. nabp.pharmacy/Uniform-MPJE-Content-Outline.pdf
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Which States Require the MPJE or UMPJE? nabp.pharmacy/help/which-states-require-the-mpje