California Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licensing
Licensing requirements for California healthcare and pharmaceutical companies and individuals.
This page provides an overview of healthcare and pharmaceutical industry licensing in California for individuals and businesses. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
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- California Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company Licenses
- California Individual Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licenses
Company Licenses
California Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company Licenses
California Automated Patient Dispensing System License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $300 |
Due: | Annually |
Notes: | A license renewal application will be emailed by the Board 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license. |
California Centralized Hospital Packaging Pharmacy License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,150 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Request for Renewal of Centralized Hospital Packaging Pharmacy License |
Agency Fee: | $1,150 |
Due: | Annually |
The board performs a thorough investigation of every application for a pharmacy license, which includes collecting all ownership and financial information, criminal background checks for beneficial owners and individuals with management and control, thorough documentation of all owners (whether or not they actively participate in the pharmacy’s daily activities), etc. Every pharmacy must have a pharmacist-in-charge who is responsible for the day to day operations (Business and Professions Code section 4054).
A nonresident pharmacy that ships, mails or delivers prescription medications to California residents must hold a current and valid license in the resident state, and also hold a nonresident pharmacy license issued by the board. The pharmacy must maintain an 800 number for consumer access to a pharmacist, must comply with patient-centered prescription labeling requirements (to include interpreter services and translation of directions of use, as specified), and the pharmacy must comply with requirements to report to CURES.
A pharmacist practicing in a nonresident pharmacy is NOT required to hold a California pharmacist license. The nonresident pharmacy must have a pharmacist-in-charge who is responsible for ensuring that the pharmacy complies with all California requirements for medications dispensed or shipped to California patients.
California Community Pharmacy License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $570 |
Turnaround: | Minimum 45 days |
Notes: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $941 |
Due: | Annually |
California Drug Manufacturing License
Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $4,187 application fee + $200 PDMA fee (if applicable). |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $4,187 renewal fee + $200 PDMA fee (if applicable). |
Due: | Biennially |
Original Ink: | Not required |
California Emergency Medical Services Automated Drug Delivery System License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | Emergency Medical Services Automated Drug Delivery System (EMADDS) License Application |
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Registration Renewal
Agency Fee: | $100 |
Due: | Annually |
Notes: | A license renewal application will be emailed by the Board 60 days prior to the expiration date of the license. |
California Home Care Organization License
Agency: | California Department of Social Services - Community Care Licensing Division - Home Care Services Bureau |
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite: | No |
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required? | No |
Initial Registration
Form: | Form HCS 200: Application for a Home Care Organization License |
Agency Fee: | $5,603 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Form HCS 200: Application for a Home Care Organization License |
Agency Fee: | $5,603 |
Due: | Biennially |
California Home Medical Device Retailer Exemptee License
Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $403 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Home Medical Device Retailer Exemptee License: CDPH 8695 (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $242 |
Due: | Annually |
Original Ink: | Not required |
California Home Medical Device Retailer License
Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $1,437 base fee + $686 warehouse fee (if applicable) |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Home Medical Device Retailer License Application: CDPH 8679 (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $1,437 base fee + $686 warehouse fee (if applicable) |
Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
California Home Medical Device Retailer License - Warehouse Only
Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $686 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Home Medical Device Retailer License Application: CDPH 8679 (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $686 |
Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
California Nonresident Outsourcing Facility License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $3,335 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Request for Renewal of Nonresident Outsourcing Facility License |
Agency Fee: | $3,180 |
Due: | Annually |
California Nonresident Pharmacy License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $570 |
Before you Apply: |
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Required Attachments: |
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Background Check Requirements: | ACCESS PREMIUM DATA |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $941 |
Due: | Annually |
California Nonresident Pharmacy Sterile Compounding License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | Application for Nonresident Pharmacy Sterile Compouding License |
Agency Fee: | $3,335 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $3,180 |
Due: | Annually |
California Nonresident Third-Party Logistics Provider License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | Nonresident Third-Party Logistics Provider License Application |
Agency Fee: | $820 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $831 |
Due: | Annually |
California Nonresident Wholesaler License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $820 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Application for Renewal of Wholesaler/Nonresident Wholesaler License |
Agency Fee: | $831 |
Due: | Annually |
California Out-of-State Home Medical Device Retailer Registration
Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
Form: | Out-of-State Home Medical Device Retailer Registration: CDPH 8679 |
Agency Fee: | $242 |
Original Ink: | Not required |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Out-of-State Home Medical Device Retailer Registration: CDPH 8679 (Renewal) |
Agency Fee: | $242 |
Due: | Annually by the registration anniversary date. |
Original Ink: | Not required |
California Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Certification
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $4220 initial outpatient certification application fee + $5470 initial biennial outpatient certification fee |
Required Attachments: |
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Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Filing Method: | |
Agency Fee: | $5470 biennial outpatient certification extension fee |
Due: | Licenses expire biennially by the last day of the month of initial certification. Renewal applications, documents, and fees are due to the department 120 days prior to the expiration date of the certification. For example, if your certification expires on 10/31 then your documents and renewal fees are due by 07/03. |
Required Attachments: |
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California Third-Party Logistics Provider License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | California Third-Party Logistics Provider License Application |
Agency Fee: | $820 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $831 |
Due: | Annually |
California Veterinary Food - Animal Drug Retailer License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | California Veterinary Food-Animal Drug Retailer License Application |
Agency Fee: | $610 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Request for Renewal of Veterinary Food-Animal Drug Retailer Permit |
Agency Fee: | $460 |
Due: | Annually |
California Wholesaler License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $820 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | Application for Renewal of Wholesaler/Nonresident Wholesaler License |
Agency Fee: | $831 |
Due: | Annually |
Individual Licenses
California Individual Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licenses
California Designated Representative - Veterinary Food-Animal Drug Retailer License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | Designated Representative for a Vet-Food Animal Drug Retailer |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $215 |
Due: | Biennially the final day of the month that it was issued |
California Designated Representative - Wholesaler/Non-Resident Wholesaler License
Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
Form: | Designated Representative for a Wholesaler/Non-Resident Wholesaler |
Agency Fee: | $150 |
Registration Renewal
Form: | |
Agency Fee: | $215 |
Due: | Biennially the final day of the month that it was issued |
Learn about healthcare and pharmaceutical licensing in other states:
Controlled Substance Registration - In addition to a pharmacy license, controlled substance registration registration is required in many states for pharmacies that distribute controlled substances.
NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) - Host a variety of programs and resources relating to pharmacist and pharmacy licensure and examination.
Pharmacist in Charge - A licensed pharmacist designated by a pharmacy to act as the party responsible for compliance with regulations.
VPP (Verified Pharmacy Program) - A program run by NABP that allows state boards to share information and more easily register out-of-state pharmacies.