
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
- Jump To:
- California Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company Licenses
- California Individual Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Licenses
Company Licenses
California Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Company Licenses
California Centralized Hospital Packaging Pharmacy License
| Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $820 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Request for Renewal of Centralized Hospital Packaging Pharmacy License |
| Agency Fee: | $805 |
| 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 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $520 |
| Turnaround: | Minimum 45 days |
| Notes: |
|
| Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $671 |
| Due: | Annually |
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 |
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: | $384 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Home Medical Device Retailer Exemptee License: CDPH 8695 (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $230 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Home Medical Device Retailer License
| Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $1,304 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Home Medical Device Retailer License Application: CDPH 8679 (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $1,304 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Home Medical Device Retailer License - Warehouse Only
| Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $653 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Home Medical Device Retailer License Application: CDPH 8679 (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $653 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Medical Device Manufacturing License
| Agency: | California Department of Public Health - Food and Drug Branch |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $2,454 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Biennial Medical Device Manufacturing License Renewal: CDPH 72R |
| Agency Fee: | $3,988 |
| Due: | Biennially |
California Nonresident Outsourcing Facility License
| Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $2,380 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Request for Renewal of Nonresident Outsourcing Facility License |
| Agency Fee: | $2,270 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Nonresident Pharmacy License
| Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $520 |
| Before you Apply: |
|
| Required Attachments: |
|
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $671 |
| 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: | $2,380 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $1,325 |
| 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: | $780 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $786 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Nonresident Wholesaler License
| Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $780 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Application for Renewal of Wholesaler/Nonresident Wholesaler License |
| Agency Fee: | $786 |
| 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: | $230 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Out-of-State Home Medical Device Retailer Registration: CDPH 8679 (Renewal) |
| Agency Fee: | $230 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Third-Party Logistics Provider License
| Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
| Form: | California Third-Party Logistics Provider License Application |
| Agency Fee: | $780 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $786 |
| 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: | $435 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Request for Renewal of Veterinary Food-Animal Drug Retailer Permit |
| Agency Fee: | $330 |
| Due: | Annually |
California Wholesaler License
| Agency: | California State Board of Pharmacy |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $780 |
Registration Renewal
| Form: | Application for Renewal of Wholesaler/Nonresident Wholesaler License |
| Agency Fee: | $786 |
| 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 |
California Home Care Aide Registration
| 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: | |
| Agency Fee: | $35 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $35 |
| Due: | Biennially |
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.