The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (COPPS) Class of 2019 made gains in their performance on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®).
The 83.65 percent pass rate, for students who took the exam for the first time, represents an increase of approximately 8 percentage points over last year’s results. Students took the exam between May 1, 2019, and August 31, 2019.
The NAPLEX® measures a candidate’s knowledge of the practice of pharmacy. The exam is developed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and is one component used by the state boards of pharmacy for assessing a candidate’s ability to practice pharmacy.
“I am extremely proud of the performance of the Class of 2019 during the first test window. The College is continually working to increase our first-time candidates’ licensure pass rates,” said Jocelyn D. Spates, PharmD., COPPS associate dean of Clinical Affairs.
Spates serves on the University’s Licensure Pass Rate Task Force chaired by Provost Maurice Edington, Ph.D.
“We are analyzing our program and generating actionable recommendations to continue this upward trend of pass rates,” she said.
Currently, the NAPLEX national average for first-time candidates is 90.59 percent; the state average is 86.96 percent.
“Compliments to the staff and faculty for fostering a caring and supportive environment for student achievement. And we are all grateful,” said COPPS Dean Johnnie Early II, Ph.D.