Internship Guidelines

The Board of Pharmacy rules for internship are quite extensive and this memo outlines those rules.

Any questions regarding Intern Applications or procedures should be sent to this office.

An applicant for licensure as a pharmacist who is examined after December 31, 1996 must have 1,500 hours of practical pharmacy experience.  All of these hours may be acquired as part of a college-based experiential program if the applicant is enrolled as a student in an approved college of pharmacy.


At least 880 hours of practical pharmacy experience must be obtained in a pharmacy where the predominant time is spent developing competence in the following areas:

  1. Receiving and interpreting prescriptions or medication orders;
  2. Compounding prescriptions or medication orders;
  3. Dispensing prescriptions or medication orders;
  4. Reviewing patient medication profiles;
  5. Communicating with patients and consulting with other health professionals; and
  6. Managing a pharmacy

These 880 hours can be obtained as part of the college-based experiential program or outside college during summers or vacations.

  • Persons enrolled in a college of pharmacy professional program and have completed one week of classes or have graduated from a college of pharmacy, may apply for a certificate as a registered intern.  The applicant shall pay a fee of $40.  The $40 fee is a one time fee and will cover all experiences that the applicant may apply for.
  • Registered intern certificates are in effect for all successive experiences if board requirements are met.  The certificate of registration is good until the person is no longer enrolled in a college of pharmacy, if 270 days have passed since issuance of a registered intern certificate after graduation from a college of pharmacy, or if the person becomes a licensed pharmacist.
  • Persons expecting to receive credit for practical experience shall submit a separate Application/Affidavit for each practical experience before the beginning of the practical experience.  At the end of each practical experience a registered intern shall submit a report to the Board of Pharmacy on a form supplied by the board.
  • While on duty, a pharmacy intern must wear a badge identifying the intern as a pharmacy intern and must post the intern certificate in the location where the intern is practicing.  The Board will not supply badges, but will provide pocket cards that can be used in a badge holder.  The intern can use a commercially prepared badge that includes the intern certificate number.
  • Change in Preceptors.  A change in preceptors or work sites may be made during the course of an internship period, provided that the Board is notified of such changes and a new application is submitted.
  • Multiple Sites. An applicant may apply for intern experience at multiple sites during one period of time.  The Board will award no more than 48 hours weekly for combined experiences.  If an intern will be working at more than one site, separate applications must be prepared for each site.
  • Enclosed are materials needed to meet the requirements of the South Dakota State Board of Pharmacy Intern Rules.  This memo and supplemental materials should be kept as part of your internship file to insure that all the requirements for the internship period are met.

Chapter 20:51:02. Interns in Pharmacy and Chapter 20:51:22. Practice of Pharmacy.  These chapters provide the official Board rules for internship experience and practice of pharmacy.  Review these rules along with your preceptor prior to the beginning of the internship experience.

Guidelines for Intern Experience - Roles of Intern and Preceptor. These guidelines should be reviewed by the Intern and Preceptor at the beginning of the internship experience.

Responsibilities of Interns

  1. The intern must exhibit a professional appearance in manner and dress.  The intern must adhere at all times to the standards of dress and behavior specified by the employer.
  2. The intern must wear a name badge at all times.  This is a requirement of the State Board of Pharmacy.
  3. The intern shall regard all information and activities relating to the pharmacy, the medical community and customers to be confidential and, under no circumstances will such knowledge be revealed to anyone else.
  4. The intern must keep in mind that the primary aim of internship is learning.  Learning is not a passive process, but requires a continuing, active commitment.
  5. The intern should recognize that the best learning environment is one that fosters mutual respect and courtesy between the intern and preceptor.
  6. The intern should never question the advice or directions of the preceptor in public, but should discuss any disagreement in private. Criticism should not be viewed as personal, but rather accepted as a means of learning.
  7. The intern should never be hesitant to admit that something is not known, and should seek help whenever needed.
  8. An intern should be aware of all laws and rules which govern his practice, and should seek clarification of any points which are not clear.
  9. If the intern is regularly asked to violate state or federal laws or has knowledge that the pharmacy where employed violates such laws, the Board of Pharmacy is to be notified in compliance with ARSD 20:51:16:05(05).
  10. The intern will promptly report any changes in preceptor or work sites so that a new application can be made.
  11. The intern shall send to the Board of Pharmacy all final reports within five days of the end of the internship period.

Guidelines for Intern Experience
Roles of Intern and Preceptor

The intern has been hired by the pharmacy as an employee, and is expected to meet the requirements of the employer.  The intern, while acting as a pharmacy employee, is given special status by the State Board of Pharmacy through the issuance of the intern certificate.  This certificate gives the licensed intern certain privileges not available to other pharmacy employees.  These privileges to work in the prescription department under the supervision of the preceptor give the intern the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to the actual practice of pharmacy.

The intern and preceptor should work together to provide a optimal practical experience for the intern.  The guidelines below should be reviewed at the start of the internship period in order to promote an understanding of what is to be accomplished during the period the intern works in the pharmacy.

The intern and preceptor will be required to complete a final report outlining hours worked and experience gained.  The preceptor is required to verify the information and is encouraged to offer written comments to the intern and the board.

Guidelines

  1. Introduction of Intern to General Work Setting.  The intern should be familiarized with various aspects of the pharmacy operation.

    a. Tour of facility and introduction to other employees.
    b. Review of history and facts about the pharmacy.
    c. Personnel Policies to include:  work hours, expected grooming and dress, and relationship to other employees.
    d. Professional Conduct to include:  patient confidentiality, relationship with other health professionals, legal status of intern.
    e. Work to be done by intern outside professional area.

  2. Introduction of Intern to Pharmacy Department. The intern will be expected to gain knowledge of the pharmacy department through practical experience.

    a. Security of Pharmacy Department and authorized personnel.
    b. Professional Responsibilities to include: telephone prescriptions, controlled substance security, functions of support persons in pharmacy.
    c. Stock arrangement, Inventory control, and Ordering procedures.

  3. Introduction To Dispensing Procedures. The intern will be informed of procedures and legalities of handling prescription orders.

    a. Receipt of prescriptions.
    b. Interpreting prescription orders and use of drug profiles.
    c. Information required on prescription orders.
    d. Preparation of prescription labels.
    e. Requirement for preceptor to check all completed prescriptions.
    f. Dispensing prescription to patient and consultation.
    g. Record keeping requirements and third party procedures.

  4. Introduction To Other Pharmacist Opportunities/Responsibilities. The intern will be informed of the role of the pharmacist as a consultant to the consumer and other health professionals.

    a. Over-the-counter Products.
    b. Health Aids.
    c. Relationships with Allied Health Professions.
    d. Nursing Home/Hospital Consultant Functions.

  5. Other Topics.

    a. General store operation.
    b. Civic Activities.