How to Verify Pharmacy Licenses: Protect Yourself from Counterfeit Drugs

Feb, 6 2026

Did you know that nearly 1 in 10 medications worldwide are counterfeit? In 2023 alone, the FDA reported over 1,000 cases of fake drugs in the U.S., including cancer treatments and antibiotics that could kill you. The simplest way to protect yourself is by checking a pharmacy’s license before buying medicine. verifying pharmacy licenses through state boards is a free, quick step that saves lives.

What Are State Pharmacy Boards?

State pharmacy boards are regulatory agencies in each U.S. state and territory that oversee pharmacy practice and protect public health. They were created in the late 1800s, with Massachusetts launching the first board in 1878. Today, 56 boards exist across all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), these boards manage licenses for roughly 350,000 pharmacists and 300,000 pharmacy technicians nationwide as of 2023.

Why Verify Pharmacy Licenses?

Counterfeit drugs often contain dangerous ingredients like fentanyl, rat poison, or no active medicine at all. In 2022, a Maryland pharmacy was shut down after selling fake chemotherapy drugs that caused patient harm. State pharmacy boards catch these risks by tracking license status, disciplinary actions, and inspection results. For example, if a pharmacy’s license shows "Suspended" or "Revoked," it’s unsafe to use. Verifying licenses is your first defense against fake medications.

How to Verify a Pharmacy License

Checking a license takes under 5 minutes online:

Go to your state’s pharmacy board website (search "[state name] pharmacy board" or use NABP’s directory).
Find the "License Verification" or "Verify a License" section.
Enter the pharmacy’s name, license number, or address. Most systems accept any of these details.
Review the results: check the status ("Active" is safe), expiration date, and any disciplinary notes.

For instance, the Maryland Board of Pharmacy system only needs a pharmacy name or license number. It shows full details like inspection history and recent complaints. Maryland processes about 12,000 verification queries each month.

Woman verifying pharmacy license document with geometric US map background

Common Problems and Fixes

You might hit snags during verification. Maryland warns that "less is more" when searching-too many details can overwhelm the system. If you get too many results, try simpler searches like just the pharmacy name.

Another issue? Delays in status updates. A Reddit user reported Maryland took three weeks to update their new license after passing exams. State boards often need time to process renewals. If you don’t see an update, wait a few days or call the board directly. Maryland’s phone line is (410) 764-4755 during business hours.

For pharmacists working in multiple states, the Interstate Pharmacy Licensure Compact (IPLC) helps. As of 2023, 23 states participate in this compact, simplifying multi-state licensing. But not all states join yet, so you’ll still need to check each board individually.

NABP Verify: A National Option

If you need to check licenses across many states, NABP Verify offers a centralized service. Launched in 2020, it provides a digital badge showing license compliance. It costs $59 per year. However, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) stresses that employers should always verify licenses directly through state boards-not just third-party services. State boards are the official source for accurate, up-to-date information.

Family receiving medicine from pharmacist with shield emblem for safety

What’s Changing in License Verification

Technology is improving verification systems fast. Maryland updated its system in January 2023 with better mobile tools. It handled over 150,000 verifications in its first six months. NABP announced in August 2023 that it will expand NABP Verify to include pharmacy technicians starting in Q2 2024. This matters because technicians often handle medicine dispensing.

Looking ahead, NABP predicts 90% of state boards will have real-time license updates by 2025. This fixes today’s 7-14 day delay in status changes. But cybersecurity is a growing threat. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society reported a 22% jump in attacks on state health databases in 2022. Boards are strengthening security to keep your data safe.

Key Takeaways

State pharmacy boards are the only official source for license verification-never trust third-party sites alone.
Verifying a license takes minutes and prevents buying counterfeit drugs that could harm you.
Most states offer free online verification; Maryland processes 12,000 queries monthly with simple search tools.
Delays in updates happen-wait a few days or call the board if you’re unsure.
NABP Verify helps for multi-state checks but costs $59/year and isn’t as reliable as state boards.

How do I know if a pharmacy is licensed?

Check the pharmacy’s license status directly through your state pharmacy board’s website. Look for "Active" status, a current expiration date, and no disciplinary actions. If the board’s site shows "Suspended," "Revoked," or "Expired," avoid that pharmacy. You can also ask the pharmacy staff to show you their current license-legitimate pharmacies display it publicly.

What if I find a pharmacy with an expired license?

Do not buy medicine from that pharmacy. Expired licenses mean the pharmacy isn’t legally allowed to operate. Report it immediately to your state pharmacy board-most have online complaint forms. For example, Maryland’s board accepts reports through their website or by calling (410) 764-4755. The FDA also tracks counterfeit drug reports at fda.gov/safety/report-a-problem.

Can I verify a license without internet?

Yes, but it’s slower. Most state boards offer phone verification. Maryland’s board answers calls at (410) 764-4755 during business hours. You’ll need the pharmacy’s name, license number, or address. Some states charge a small fee for official verification letters sent by mail, but online checks are always free. Avoid third-party services that claim to verify licenses over the phone-they’re often scams.

What’s the difference between a pharmacist and pharmacy technician license?

Pharmacists hold a higher-level license requiring a pharmacy degree and exams. They can prescribe and dispense medications independently. Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists but can’t give medical advice or fill prescriptions alone. Their licenses are separate: technicians usually need less training and pay lower fees. For example, Maryland charges $150 for a pharmacist license but only $75 for a technician license. Both licenses must be verified before working at a pharmacy.

Why do license verification systems sometimes show outdated info?

State boards update records manually, which takes time. Disciplinary actions might not appear for 7-14 days after a board meeting. For instance, Maryland’s system says, "Don’t worry if it doesn’t show up immediately" after renewals. If you’re concerned, call the board directly. The Federation of State Medical Boards found pharmacy boards update disciplinary actions 15% slower than medical boards-averaging 14.3 days versus 12.4 days. Always double-check with the board if critical.