MPJE study guide

MPJE, administered by NABP owns the exam, is mapped here as 8 topic areas; the heaviest are Pharmacist Practice — Controlled Substance Dispensing (18%), Pharmacist Practice — Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility (15%) and Dispensing Requirements — Labeling, Packaging & Misbranding (13%).

About this course: Study federal pharmacy-law concepts through narrated cards, short lessons and practice questions. This course covers the federal core. Use your current state board materials for state law and to confirm which jurisprudence exam you need.

MPJE at a glance

Questions: 120
Time allowed: 2.5 hours
Passing standard: NABP MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination)
Format: 120 questions (100 scored + 20 unscored pretest), 2.5 hours, computer-ADAPTIVE
Standard / edition: NABP MPJE Competency Statements (state versions) + UMPJE Content Outline (2026)
Administered by: NABP owns the exam

Source: NABP MPJE Competency Statements (state versions) + UMPJE Content Outline (2026), NABP owns the exam. Confirm current details with the exam owner before you book.

Topic areas and weights

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

Topic area	Weight	Concepts	Guide
Pharmacist Practice — Controlled Substance Dispensing	18%	7	Section below
Pharmacist Practice — Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility	15%	8	Section below
Dispensing Requirements — Labeling, Packaging & Misbranding	13%	4	Section below
Dispensing Requirements — Compounding, USP & Substitution	11%	2	Section below
Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Licensure, Registration & CE	11%	6	Section below
Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Technicians, Interns & Board Authority	11%	7	Section below
Pharmacy Operations — DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering	11%	8	Section below
Pharmacy Operations — Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain	10%	3	Section below

Study plan in this course

Controlled Substance Dispensing: Federal CS Law: Controlled Substance Dispensing — 10 cards · free
Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility — 9 cards · free
Labeling, PPPA Packaging & Misbranding — 8 cards · full course
Compounding, USP Standards & Generic Substitution: Compounding, USP & Generic Substitution — 7 cards · full course
Pharmacist Licensure, Reciprocity & CE — 7 cards · full course
Technicians, Interns & Board Authority — 7 cards · full course
DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering — 8 cards · full course
Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain — 9 cards · full course

Pharmacist Practice — Controlled Substance Dispensing

Pharmacist Practice — Controlled Substance Dispensing carries 18% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 7 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Controlled Substance Dispensing.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Pharmacist Practice — Controlled Substance Dispensing covers

How many refills are permitted for a Schedule II controlled substance? — 21 CFR §1306.12
Under federal law, when does a Schedule II prescription expire — what is the federal fill window? — 21 CFR §1306.05
What are the federal steps for a Schedule II emergency oral prescription, and what must happen within 7 days? — 21 CFR §1306.11
What is the federal '90-day rule' for Schedule II prescriptions, and why is it NOT a refill? — 21 CFR §1306.12
How many refills are permitted for Schedule III–V controlled substances, and within what time frame? — 21 CFR §1306.22
What is 'corresponding responsibility' in controlled-substance dispensing? — 21 CFR §1306.04
What are the CSA schedule classifications for hydrocodone combination products, buprenorphine, tramadol, and pregabalin? — 21 U.S.C. §812

Official references for Pharmacist Practice — Controlled Substance Dispensing

21 CFR: §1306.12, §1306.05, §1306.11, §1306.13, §1306.22, §1306.25, §1306.04
21 U.S.C.: §830, §812

In the app this area comes with 10 memory cards and 18 module-quiz questions and is part of the free starting modules.

Pharmacist Practice — Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility

Pharmacist Practice — Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility carries 15% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the second-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 8 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Pharmacist Practice — Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility covers

What are the required elements of a valid controlled-substance prescription under federal law? — 21 CFR §1306.05
Who may prescribe controlled substances, and what DEA registration requirement applies to mid-level practitioners? — 21 CFR §§1301.01, 1306.03, 1306.04
What is 'corresponding responsibility' under federal controlled-substance law? — 21 CFR §1306.04
What does OBRA-90 require of pharmacists regarding patient counseling at the federal level? — 42 U.S.C. §1396r-8
What content must a pharmacist cover when counseling a patient under OBRA-90? — 42 U.S.C. §1396r-8
What is prospective drug utilization review, and what must the pharmacist screen for before dispensing? — 42 U.S.C. §1396r-8
How does HIPAA's Privacy Rule govern protected health information in pharmacy practice? — 45 CFR Parts 160, 164
Is the DEA 'X-waiver' still required to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder? — Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023

Official references for Pharmacist Practice — Prescriptions, Counseling & Corresponding Responsibility

21 CFR: §1306.05, §1306.04
21 CFR §§1301.01, 1306.03: 1306.04
42 U.S.C.: §1396r-8
45 CFR Parts 160: 164
State pharmacy practice acts
Consolidated Appropriations Act: 2023

In the app this area comes with 9 memory cards and 15 module-quiz questions and is part of the free starting modules.

Dispensing Requirements — Labeling, Packaging & Misbranding

Dispensing Requirements — Labeling, Packaging & Misbranding carries 13% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the third-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 4 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Labeling, PPPA Packaging & Misbranding.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Dispensing Requirements — Labeling, Packaging & Misbranding covers

What six elements does 21 CFR §1306.14 require on the dispensed label of a controlled-substance prescription? — 21 CFR §1306.14
Under the PPPA, who may waive child-resistant packaging, and what is the scope of each party's waiver authority? — 15 U.S.C. §1471
What is the FDCA distinction between a 'misbranded' drug and an 'adulterated' drug? — 21 U.S.C. §351
What are the three FDA recall classes and how does each define the severity of risk? — 21 U.S.C. §331

Official references for Dispensing Requirements — Labeling, Packaging & Misbranding

21 CFR: §1306.14
FDCA: §503
15 U.S.C.: §1471
16 CFR: §1700.14
21 U.S.C.: §351, §331
USP <795>

In the app this area comes with 8 memory cards and 13 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Dispensing Requirements — Compounding, USP & Substitution

Dispensing Requirements — Compounding, USP & Substitution carries 11% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the 4th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 2 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Compounding, USP & Generic Substitution.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Dispensing Requirements — Compounding, USP & Substitution covers

Under USP <797>, how are sterile compounding BUDs assigned, and why are they generally shorter than nonsterile BUDs? — USP <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding
What is the scope of USP <800>, and what is the role of the NIOSH hazardous-drug list under that chapter? — USP <800> Hazardous Drugs

Official references for Dispensing Requirements — Compounding, USP & Substitution

FDCA: §503A, §503B
USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding
USP <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding
USP <800> Hazardous Drugs
Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of: 1984
Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of: 2009

In the app this area comes with 7 memory cards and 11 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Licensure, Registration & CE

Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Licensure, Registration & CE carries 11% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the 5th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 6 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Pharmacist Licensure, Reciprocity & CE.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Licensure, Registration & CE covers

What two examinations must a candidate pass to obtain an initial pharmacist license, and who issues the license? — NABP MPJE/NAPLEX Candidate Application Bulletin
THE KEY TRAP: Can a NAPLEX score be transferred to another state? Can an MPJE score? — NABP Score Transfer and e-Profile Program
What is NABP's e-Profile and how does it relate to license transfer between states? — NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program
What is the Uniform MPJE, and why is it significant in 2026? — NABP UMPJE Program Announcement 2026
What is NABP's CPE Monitor, and what governs the number of CE hours a pharmacist must complete? — NABP CPE Monitor Program
What is nonresident pharmacy licensure, and what law governs it? — Model State Pharmacy Act

Official references for Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Licensure, Registration & CE

NABP MPJE/NAPLEX Candidate Application Bulletin
NABP Score Transfer and e-Profile Program
NABP MPJE Candidate Application Bulletin
NABP Electronic Licensure Transfer Program
NABP UMPJE Program Announcement: 2026
NABP CPE Monitor Program
Model State Pharmacy Act

In the app this area comes with 7 memory cards and 11 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Technicians, Interns & Board Authority

Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Technicians, Interns & Board Authority carries 11% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the 6th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 7 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Technicians, Interns & Board Authority.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Technicians, Interns & Board Authority covers

What are the core duties of a Pharmacist-in-Charge? — State Pharmacy Practice Acts
Which tasks may a pharmacy technician perform, and which tasks are reserved exclusively for the pharmacist? — State Pharmacy Practice Acts
How is the pharmacist-to-technician supervision ratio determined, and what rule applies when jurisdictions conflict? — State board rules
What is Tech-Check-Tech, and under what conditions is it permitted? — State board rules
What governs pharmacy intern registration and practice hours? — State Pharmacy Practice Acts and board rules
What is the composition of a state board of pharmacy, and what are its core powers? — State Pharmacy Practice Acts
Describe the board discipline process and the role of impaired-pharmacist programs. — State Pharmacy Practice Acts

Official references for Licensure, Registration & Personnel — Technicians, Interns & Board Authority

State Pharmacy Practice Acts
State board rules
State Pharmacy Practice Acts and board rules

In the app this area comes with 7 memory cards and 11 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Pharmacy Operations — DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering

Pharmacy Operations — DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering carries 11% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the 7th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 8 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Pharmacy Operations — DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering covers

What is DEA Form 224 and how long is a pharmacy registration valid? — 21 CFR Part 1301
What is DEA Form 222 and which schedule substances require it? — 21 CFR Part 1305
What is CSOS and how does it relate to DEA Form 222? — 21 CFR Part 1305
What is DEA Form 106 and when must it be filed after discovering theft or significant loss? — 21 CFR §1301.74
What is DEA Form 41 and what standard must be met for destruction of controlled substances? — 21 CFR §1304.21
Which DEA registration forms apply to manufacturers/distributors versus pharmacies versus narcotic treatment programs? — 21 CFR Part 1301
What is a Power of Attorney for DEA ordering purposes and what are its requirements? — 21 CFR Part 1305
What is the master mnemonic for DEA forms and what does each form do? — 21 CFR Parts 1301, 1305, 1304, 1317

Official references for Pharmacy Operations — DEA Registration, Forms & Ordering

21 CFR: Part 1301, Part 1305, §1301.74, §1304.21
21 CFR Parts 1301, 1305, 1304: 1317

In the app this area comes with 8 memory cards and 11 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Pharmacy Operations — Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain

Pharmacy Operations — Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain carries 10% of the MPJE blueprint used in this course, the 8th-largest of its 8 weighted areas. It spans 3 concepts. The course teaches it in 1 study unit: Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain.

These percentages are this course's practice emphasis, not an official question distribution.

What Pharmacy Operations — Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain covers

When must a DEA registrant take an initial controlled-substance inventory? — 21 CFR §1304.11
What are the two federally permissible methods for storing controlled substances under DEA regulations? — 21 CFR §1301.75
What obligations does the Drug Supply Chain Security Act impose on pharmacy dispensers? — 21 U.S.C. §360eee et seq

Official references for Pharmacy Operations — Inventory, Records, DSCSA & Supply Chain

21 CFR: §1304.11, §1304.04, §1301.75, §1307.11
21 U.S.C. §360eee et seq

In the app this area comes with 9 memory cards and 12 module-quiz questions in the full course.

Details that change — checked against official sources

MPJE exams starting March 1, 2027 use NABP's new Content Outline. — NABP MPJE Competency Statements: outline transition, checked 2026-10-09

Official references

21 CFR: §1306.12, §1306.05, §1306.11, §1306.13, §1306.22, §1306.25, §1306.04, §1306.14
21 U.S.C.: §830, §812, §351, §331
21 CFR §§1301.01, 1306.03: 1306.04
42 U.S.C.: §1396r-8
45 CFR Parts 160: 164
State pharmacy practice acts
Consolidated Appropriations Act: 2023
FDCA: §503, §503A, §503B
15 U.S.C.: §1471
16 CFR: §1700.14
Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of: 1984
Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of: 2009