Pharmacy school typically takes four years to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) professional program itself. However, before entering pharmacy school, students usually must complete 2 to 4 years of undergraduate prerequisite coursework, depending on their background. This means the total time to become a pharmacist is generally about 6 to 8 years of post-secondary education. More specifically:

• The PharmD program is a 4-year full-time professional degree focused on pharmaceutical sciences, clinical practice, and includes advanced pharmacy practice experiences (clinical rotations)

• Prerequisite undergraduate coursework usually takes 2 to 4 years and covers foundational sciences like biology, chemistry, anatomy, and microbiology

• Some schools offer accelerated PharmD programs that can be completed in 3 years, but the standard is 4 years

• Optional residency programs for clinical specialization can add 1 to 2 years after pharmacy school, but are not required for retail pharmacy jobs

• For example, MCPHS has a 6-year total program: 2 years of prerequisites plus 4 years of professional pharmacy studies

• Oregon State University notes it typically takes 8 years total: 3-4 years undergraduate prerequisites plus 4 years PharmD

In summary, becoming a fully qualified pharmacist usually requires completing about 6 to 8 years of education, including undergraduate prerequisites and the 4-year PharmD program. Additional residency training is optional depending on career goals.