What is required for a pharmacist to practice in Alabama?

To practice as a pharmacist in Alabama, it is necessary to possess both a pharmacy license and a controlled substances (CS) license. The pharmacy license is essential as it indicates the individual has met the educational and training requirements established by the Alabama Board of Pharmacy and is authorized to practice pharmacy. The CS license is required to dispense controlled substances, which are regulated due to their potential for abuse and addiction.

Having both licenses ensures that the pharmacist can operate legally and safely within the scope of pharmacy practice, which includes the dispensing of both non-controlled and controlled medications. Even though a DEA registration is crucial for pharmacists who will be prescribing or dispensing controlled drugs, it is not specifically a state requirement in the same way as the pharmacy license and the CS license in Alabama. Thus, the combination of these two licenses fulfills the legal requirements for pharmacy practice in the state.