WSU Pharmacy graduates lead the Pacific Northwest with top licensure pass rates

Washington State University's College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is celebrating an important milestone with statewide impact: the class of 2025 achieved a 92.5% first-time pass rate on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX), well above the national average of 86.8%.

Beyond the strong national showing, the results place WSU in a leadership position regionally. With this year's outcomes, the college ranks #1 among pharmacy schools in the Pacific Northwest, and #3 among all public pharmacy schools on the West Coast.

NAPLEX pass rates are a key measure of how well pharmacy graduates are prepared to enter professional practice. All pharmacists are required to pass the exam to practice. For Washingtonians, this achievement signals something even more meaningful - a highly trained, practice-ready pharmacy workforce equipped to improve health outcomes, expand access to care, and serve communities across the state and beyond.

"This result reflects our unwavering commitment to preparing pharmacists who are ready to meet today's complex health care needs," said Interim Dean Julie Akers. "Our graduates are entering the workforce with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to support patients, health care systems, and public health."

The success of the class of 2025 is a testament to both student dedication and the intensive instruction delivered by the college's faculty. Faculty efforts, led by Associate Dean for Professional Education Megan Willson, focused on curricular alignment, academic support, and continuous improvement - ensuring students were well prepared for licensure and professional practice.

Pharmacists play a growing role in health care delivery, including medication management, chronic disease state management, immunizations, and treatment of minor illnesses - often serving as one of the most accessible health care providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Preparing pharmacists who are successful on the NAPLEX means preparing professionals who can immediately contribute to improving health, reducing barriers to care, and strengthening health care systems throughout Washington.

"These outcomes demonstrate what is possible when exceptional faculty, dedicated staff, and motivated students work together toward a shared mission," said Akers. "They also reaffirm our responsibility to Washingtonians - to educate health care professionals who will positively impact the health and well-being of our communities."

As graduates of the class of 2025 step into practice, their success represents more than an academic benchmark. It reflects a collective investment in the future of health care - one that benefits patients, families, and communities across Washington state and beyond.