IOWA MPJE EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2026/2027
Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination
Comprehensive Iowa Pharmacy Law & Federal Regulatory Competency Assessment
NABP / Iowa Board of Pharmacy
120 Multiple-Choice Questions | 150 Minutes | Passing Score: ~75%
Content: Iowa Pharmacy Law (60%) | Federal Pharmacy Law (30%) | Patient Safety/Ethics (10%)
1
,Introduction
This Iowa MPJE Practice Guide for 2026/2027 reflects the standardized competency assessment used
to evaluate proficiency in Iowa-specific pharmacy law and federal regulatory principles for pharmacist
licensure candidates. The examination consists of exactly 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
covering critical domains: Iowa Pharmacy Practice Act and administrative rules, controlled substances
regulation, prescription requirements and dispensing laws, scope of practice for
pharmacists/interns/technicians, pharmacy operations and facility standards, patient privacy and
counseling, compounding standards, immunization authority, drug distribution regulations, and
disciplinary processes. The exam measures knowledge essential for lawful, ethical, and compliant
practice in Iowa pharmacy settings, aligned with Iowa Code Chapter 155A, Iowa Administrative Code
r. 657, federal DEA regulations, and NABP MPJE test plan standards.
Domain 1: Iowa Pharmacy Practice Act & Administrative Rules
1. Under Iowa Code Chapter 155A, which of the following is a required prerequisite for
initial licensure as a pharmacist in Iowa?
A. Graduation from a pharmacy program accredited by ACPE and passage of NAPLEX and MPJE
B. Completion of a pharmacy residency program accredited by ASHP
C. A minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised practical experience in an Iowa-licensed pharmacy
D. Completion of a board-approved fellowship in pharmaceutical sciences
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.5 requires graduation from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy
and successful passage of both the NAPLEX and MPJE (or Iowa-specific law exam) for initial
pharmacist licensure. Residency completion and fellowship are not statutory prerequisites for
licensure.
2. A pharmacy permit in Iowa must be renewed by what deadline?
A. December 31 of each year
B. June 30 of each year
C. The last day of the permit holder's birth month
D. September 1 of each odd-numbered year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.8 and 657 IAC 7.3, pharmacy permits must be renewed annually
by June 30. Failure to renew by this date results in the permit lapsing and the pharmacy must cease
operations until reinstatement is granted.
3. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy may issue an emergency suspension of a pharmacist's
license under which circumstance?
A. The Board determines that the pharmacist's continued practice poses an immediate danger to
the public
B. The pharmacist has received two or more formal patient complaints within a 12-month period
C. The pharmacist has failed to complete the required continuing education hours for the current
renewal cycle
D. The pharmacist has been named in a civil malpractice lawsuit
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.19 authorizes the Board to issue an emergency suspension of a license
when it finds that the practitioner's continued practice presents an immediate danger to the public
health or safety. This is a summary action that does not require a prior formal hearing.
4. Which of the following actions by a Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) is specifically
required under 657 IAC Chapter 8?
A. Conducting monthly staff performance evaluations for all pharmacy technicians
B. Personally dispensing all Schedule II controlled substances
C. Ensuring the pharmacy permit is prominently displayed in the prescription department
D. Submitting an annual financial audit to the Board of Pharmacy
Correct Answer: C
2
,Rationale: 657 IAC 8.3(155A) requires the PIC to ensure the pharmacy permit is conspicuously
displayed in the prescription area at all times. While the PIC has broad supervisory responsibilities,
monthly evaluations, personal dispensing of all C-II drugs, and annual financial audits are not
statutory PIC requirements under Iowa law.
5. When ownership of an Iowa pharmacy changes, how many days does the new owner
have to notify the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and apply for a new permit?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.6, when there is a change in ownership of a pharmacy, the new
owner must notify the Board and file an application for a new pharmacy permit within 30 days. The
pharmacy cannot operate under the previous owner's permit after the transfer.
6. Under Iowa law, which of the following constitutes grounds for disciplinary action
against a pharmacist?
A. Refusing to fill a prescription due to a clinical concern about drug interactions
B. Declining to compound a non-sterile preparation due to lack of appropriate equipment
C. Counseling a patient on the proper use of an over-the-counter product
D. Dispensing a medication with an expired manufacturer lot number that was knowingly
outdated
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.19 lists dispensing knowingly adulterated, misbranded, or outdated
drugs as grounds for discipline. Professional judgment in refusing to fill or compound based on
legitimate clinical or safety concerns (A, D) is protected. OTC counseling (C) is within scope.
7. According to 657 IAC 7.5, what is required when a pharmacy relocates to a new
address?
A. Submit a written notice of relocation at least 30 days before the move
B. Apply for a new pharmacy permit for the new location before operations begin
C. Obtain written consent from all patients currently on file
D. Request a waiver of the floor plan inspection if the new space is larger
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pharmacy permit is issued for a specific location. Under 657 IAC 7.5, relocation to a
new address requires application for and issuance of a new pharmacy permit before dispensing
operations can begin at the new site. A notice alone is insufficient.
8. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy conducts a routine inspection of a community
pharmacy. Which of the following must the inspector be allowed to access?
A. Employee personal personnel files and salary records
B. The personal vehicle of the Pharmacist-in-Charge parked on the premises
C. All areas of the pharmacy where drugs are stored, compounded, or dispensed, and all relevant
records
D. Patient insurance billing records and co-pay collection logs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.14, the Board and its authorized agents have the right to inspect
all areas of a pharmacy where drugs are stored, prepared, or dispensed, and to examine all records
relating to the practice of pharmacy. Personal employee files, personal vehicles, and financial billing
records are not within the scope of a pharmacy practice inspection.
9. Which of the following best describes the complaint process before the Iowa Board of
Pharmacy?
A. All complaints must be submitted in writing and notarized before the Board will investigate
B. Only licensed healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers may file formal complaints
C. Complaints must first be mediated through an Iowa-licensed pharmacy ethics committee
3
, D. The Board may investigate complaints filed by any person and may also initiate investigations
on its own motion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.14 grants the Board authority to investigate complaints from any
source, including the general public, and to initiate investigations sua sponte (on its own motion).
No notarization, mediation prerequisite, or professional status is required to file a complaint.
10. An Iowa pharmacist is convicted of a felony related to the distribution of a
controlled substance in another state. What is the most likely action by the Iowa Board
of Pharmacy?
A. No action, because the conviction occurred outside of Iowa
B. Revocation or suspension of the Iowa pharmacist license, as a felony conviction is grounds for
discipline
C. A requirement to complete additional continuing education in Iowa pharmacy law
D. Issuance of a probationary license with mandatory supervision for 2 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.19(1)(h) specifies that conviction of a felony under any state or federal
law relating to controlled substances is grounds for discipline, including revocation or suspension of
the pharmacist license. The Board is not limited to offenses committed in Iowa.
11. Under Iowa Code §155A.2, the practice of pharmacy in Iowa includes which of the
following activities?
A. Prescribing drug therapy for a patient diagnosed by a pharmacist
B. Performing invasive diagnostic procedures in collaboration with a physician
C. Compounding, dispensing, and distributing drugs and devices, and providing drug information
D. Operating a medical device manufacturing facility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.2 defines the practice of pharmacy as including compounding,
dispensing, labeling, distributing, and administering drugs and devices, and providing drug
information and pharmaceutical care. Prescribing is not within the pharmacist's scope; invasive
procedures and manufacturing are outside the definition.
12. A pharmacist practicing in Iowa fails to renew their license by June 30. What is the
consequence?
A. The license is automatically cancelled and the pharmacist must retake the NAPLEX to reinstate
B. The pharmacist may continue practicing for a 90-day grace period while renewal is processed
C. The license lapses and the pharmacist must cease practice until the license is reinstated by the
Board
D. The pharmacist is assessed a late fee but may continue practicing without interruption
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.8, failure to renew a license by the June 30 deadline causes the
license to lapse. The pharmacist is prohibited from practicing until the Board reinstates the license,
which may involve additional requirements such as a reinstatement fee and proof of continued
competency.
13. According to 657 IAC, what is the minimum continuing education requirement for
pharmacist license renewal in Iowa?
A. 20 contact hours, including at least 2 hours in Iowa pharmacy law
B. 40 contact hours, including at least 4 hours in controlled substance management
C. 30 contact hours, including at least 2 hours in Iowa pharmacy law
D. 15 contact hours, with no specific subject-area requirements
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 657 IAC 5.3 requires 30 contact hours of approved continuing education during each
biennial (two-year) renewal period, with at least 2 of those hours dedicated to Iowa pharmacy law
and rules. This aligns with NABP-recommended CE standards.
4
2026/2027
Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination
Comprehensive Iowa Pharmacy Law & Federal Regulatory Competency Assessment
NABP / Iowa Board of Pharmacy
120 Multiple-Choice Questions | 150 Minutes | Passing Score: ~75%
Content: Iowa Pharmacy Law (60%) | Federal Pharmacy Law (30%) | Patient Safety/Ethics (10%)
1
,Introduction
This Iowa MPJE Practice Guide for 2026/2027 reflects the standardized competency assessment used
to evaluate proficiency in Iowa-specific pharmacy law and federal regulatory principles for pharmacist
licensure candidates. The examination consists of exactly 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQ)
covering critical domains: Iowa Pharmacy Practice Act and administrative rules, controlled substances
regulation, prescription requirements and dispensing laws, scope of practice for
pharmacists/interns/technicians, pharmacy operations and facility standards, patient privacy and
counseling, compounding standards, immunization authority, drug distribution regulations, and
disciplinary processes. The exam measures knowledge essential for lawful, ethical, and compliant
practice in Iowa pharmacy settings, aligned with Iowa Code Chapter 155A, Iowa Administrative Code
r. 657, federal DEA regulations, and NABP MPJE test plan standards.
Domain 1: Iowa Pharmacy Practice Act & Administrative Rules
1. Under Iowa Code Chapter 155A, which of the following is a required prerequisite for
initial licensure as a pharmacist in Iowa?
A. Graduation from a pharmacy program accredited by ACPE and passage of NAPLEX and MPJE
B. Completion of a pharmacy residency program accredited by ASHP
C. A minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised practical experience in an Iowa-licensed pharmacy
D. Completion of a board-approved fellowship in pharmaceutical sciences
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.5 requires graduation from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy
and successful passage of both the NAPLEX and MPJE (or Iowa-specific law exam) for initial
pharmacist licensure. Residency completion and fellowship are not statutory prerequisites for
licensure.
2. A pharmacy permit in Iowa must be renewed by what deadline?
A. December 31 of each year
B. June 30 of each year
C. The last day of the permit holder's birth month
D. September 1 of each odd-numbered year
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.8 and 657 IAC 7.3, pharmacy permits must be renewed annually
by June 30. Failure to renew by this date results in the permit lapsing and the pharmacy must cease
operations until reinstatement is granted.
3. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy may issue an emergency suspension of a pharmacist's
license under which circumstance?
A. The Board determines that the pharmacist's continued practice poses an immediate danger to
the public
B. The pharmacist has received two or more formal patient complaints within a 12-month period
C. The pharmacist has failed to complete the required continuing education hours for the current
renewal cycle
D. The pharmacist has been named in a civil malpractice lawsuit
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.19 authorizes the Board to issue an emergency suspension of a license
when it finds that the practitioner's continued practice presents an immediate danger to the public
health or safety. This is a summary action that does not require a prior formal hearing.
4. Which of the following actions by a Pharmacist-in-Charge (PIC) is specifically
required under 657 IAC Chapter 8?
A. Conducting monthly staff performance evaluations for all pharmacy technicians
B. Personally dispensing all Schedule II controlled substances
C. Ensuring the pharmacy permit is prominently displayed in the prescription department
D. Submitting an annual financial audit to the Board of Pharmacy
Correct Answer: C
2
,Rationale: 657 IAC 8.3(155A) requires the PIC to ensure the pharmacy permit is conspicuously
displayed in the prescription area at all times. While the PIC has broad supervisory responsibilities,
monthly evaluations, personal dispensing of all C-II drugs, and annual financial audits are not
statutory PIC requirements under Iowa law.
5. When ownership of an Iowa pharmacy changes, how many days does the new owner
have to notify the Iowa Board of Pharmacy and apply for a new permit?
A. 10 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.6, when there is a change in ownership of a pharmacy, the new
owner must notify the Board and file an application for a new pharmacy permit within 30 days. The
pharmacy cannot operate under the previous owner's permit after the transfer.
6. Under Iowa law, which of the following constitutes grounds for disciplinary action
against a pharmacist?
A. Refusing to fill a prescription due to a clinical concern about drug interactions
B. Declining to compound a non-sterile preparation due to lack of appropriate equipment
C. Counseling a patient on the proper use of an over-the-counter product
D. Dispensing a medication with an expired manufacturer lot number that was knowingly
outdated
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.19 lists dispensing knowingly adulterated, misbranded, or outdated
drugs as grounds for discipline. Professional judgment in refusing to fill or compound based on
legitimate clinical or safety concerns (A, D) is protected. OTC counseling (C) is within scope.
7. According to 657 IAC 7.5, what is required when a pharmacy relocates to a new
address?
A. Submit a written notice of relocation at least 30 days before the move
B. Apply for a new pharmacy permit for the new location before operations begin
C. Obtain written consent from all patients currently on file
D. Request a waiver of the floor plan inspection if the new space is larger
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pharmacy permit is issued for a specific location. Under 657 IAC 7.5, relocation to a
new address requires application for and issuance of a new pharmacy permit before dispensing
operations can begin at the new site. A notice alone is insufficient.
8. The Iowa Board of Pharmacy conducts a routine inspection of a community
pharmacy. Which of the following must the inspector be allowed to access?
A. Employee personal personnel files and salary records
B. The personal vehicle of the Pharmacist-in-Charge parked on the premises
C. All areas of the pharmacy where drugs are stored, compounded, or dispensed, and all relevant
records
D. Patient insurance billing records and co-pay collection logs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.14, the Board and its authorized agents have the right to inspect
all areas of a pharmacy where drugs are stored, prepared, or dispensed, and to examine all records
relating to the practice of pharmacy. Personal employee files, personal vehicles, and financial billing
records are not within the scope of a pharmacy practice inspection.
9. Which of the following best describes the complaint process before the Iowa Board of
Pharmacy?
A. All complaints must be submitted in writing and notarized before the Board will investigate
B. Only licensed healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers may file formal complaints
C. Complaints must first be mediated through an Iowa-licensed pharmacy ethics committee
3
, D. The Board may investigate complaints filed by any person and may also initiate investigations
on its own motion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.14 grants the Board authority to investigate complaints from any
source, including the general public, and to initiate investigations sua sponte (on its own motion).
No notarization, mediation prerequisite, or professional status is required to file a complaint.
10. An Iowa pharmacist is convicted of a felony related to the distribution of a
controlled substance in another state. What is the most likely action by the Iowa Board
of Pharmacy?
A. No action, because the conviction occurred outside of Iowa
B. Revocation or suspension of the Iowa pharmacist license, as a felony conviction is grounds for
discipline
C. A requirement to complete additional continuing education in Iowa pharmacy law
D. Issuance of a probationary license with mandatory supervision for 2 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.19(1)(h) specifies that conviction of a felony under any state or federal
law relating to controlled substances is grounds for discipline, including revocation or suspension of
the pharmacist license. The Board is not limited to offenses committed in Iowa.
11. Under Iowa Code §155A.2, the practice of pharmacy in Iowa includes which of the
following activities?
A. Prescribing drug therapy for a patient diagnosed by a pharmacist
B. Performing invasive diagnostic procedures in collaboration with a physician
C. Compounding, dispensing, and distributing drugs and devices, and providing drug information
D. Operating a medical device manufacturing facility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Iowa Code §155A.2 defines the practice of pharmacy as including compounding,
dispensing, labeling, distributing, and administering drugs and devices, and providing drug
information and pharmaceutical care. Prescribing is not within the pharmacist's scope; invasive
procedures and manufacturing are outside the definition.
12. A pharmacist practicing in Iowa fails to renew their license by June 30. What is the
consequence?
A. The license is automatically cancelled and the pharmacist must retake the NAPLEX to reinstate
B. The pharmacist may continue practicing for a 90-day grace period while renewal is processed
C. The license lapses and the pharmacist must cease practice until the license is reinstated by the
Board
D. The pharmacist is assessed a late fee but may continue practicing without interruption
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under Iowa Code §155A.8, failure to renew a license by the June 30 deadline causes the
license to lapse. The pharmacist is prohibited from practicing until the Board reinstates the license,
which may involve additional requirements such as a reinstatement fee and proof of continued
competency.
13. According to 657 IAC, what is the minimum continuing education requirement for
pharmacist license renewal in Iowa?
A. 20 contact hours, including at least 2 hours in Iowa pharmacy law
B. 40 contact hours, including at least 4 hours in controlled substance management
C. 30 contact hours, including at least 2 hours in Iowa pharmacy law
D. 15 contact hours, with no specific subject-area requirements
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 657 IAC 5.3 requires 30 contact hours of approved continuing education during each
biennial (two-year) renewal period, with at least 2 of those hours dedicated to Iowa pharmacy law
and rules. This aligns with NABP-recommended CE standards.
4
