Requirements for Admission
Applicants must be graduates or candidates for graduation of an accredited pharmacy degree program (or one in process of pursuing accreditation) or have a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). Applicants must be licensed or will be eligible for both intern and pharmacist licensure in California by the start of the residency program.
Non-US and US Citizens from Foreign Schools of Pharmacy
Non-US citizens must be eligible to work and live in the US by obtaining an appropriate visa and must be eligible to work as a licensed pharmacist in California. We do not sponsor visas for foreign pharmacy residency applicants. Non-US and US citizens who graduate from a foreign school of pharmacy must first be certified by examination before the process of licensure in the US can begin. The Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee ™ (FPGEC®) certificate program operates under the auspices of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy®. The NABP® provides the FPGEC Certification Program as a means of documenting the educational equivalency of a candidate's foreign education, as well as the license and/or registration to practice pharmacy. More information about this entire process is provided in these NABP® links: nabp.pharmacy.
How to Apply
Step1
Match
All applicants must register for The Match – ASHP Resident Matching Program.
Step2
PhORCAS
Applications will be accepted through PhORCAS (Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service), a web-based pharmacy residency application system. Applications are due by Saturday, January 2, 2027, at 8:59pm PST.
Step3
Cover Letter
A cover letter describing the elements of the program that most interest you and how each element relates to your personal goals is required.
Step4
Letters of Recommendation
We request a minimum of one (two is preferred) of your three references should come from a preceptor who you have worked with in a clinical setting, related to an APPE in acute or ambulatory care. The clinical preceptor should be able to comment on your scope of responsibility, total patient load, level of autonomy, clinical abilities, and organizational and time management skills. All 3-reference writers should use the standard PhORCAS template to submit their candidate's recommendation. An uploaded letter of recommendation is optional and not required.
Step5
Supplemental Application Materials
PGY1 Pharmacy, PGY1 Pharmacy at Benioff Children's Hospital, PGY1/2 HSPAL, and PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy ONLY
A response to the following essay statement is required for acceptance. The essay response should be no longer than one page in length. An application will not be reviewed if this statement is missing. Please note that the essay is separate from your cover letter. (NOTE: The essay response should be uploaded in the Supplemental Information section in PhORCAS. Space is limited to a max of 5 MB and must be provided in the following format: .pdf, .doc, .txt, .rtf.)
PGY1 Pharmacy, PGY1 Pharmacy at Benioff Children's Hospital, PGY1/2 HSPAL, and PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy
Reflect on a challenging situation at any point in your life (personal or professional) that required you to question your values or assumptions. How did you deal with the situation? What did you learn from the experience?
PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy
How did you decide to pursue specializing in the area of pediatric pharmacy? What UCSF PGY2 pediatric program elements interest you most and how do each of these relate to your personal goals?
General Information & Interviews
Appointment
June 21, 2027, to June 30, 2028 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY1 Pharmacy (NMS 176613) - 14 positions
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- UCSF Open House Events (Virtual)
- California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) Annual Seminar
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
Application Reviews
Each PGY1 applicant packet is screened and scored by a member of the Resident Selection Committee. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an interview will be granted. Interviews are offered to approximately 50 applicants each year.
Interviews
In person and virtual interviews via Zoom will be offered. The interview process consists of two 30-minute panel interviews, one 20-minute preceptor interview, and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director. Applicants are asked to prepare in advance a 10-minute presentation on a topic of their choice (not related to pharmacy or healthcare).
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Interviews 2027:
- Tuesday, January 26, 2027
- Friday, January 29, 2027
- Monday, February 1, 2027
- Friday, February 5, 2027
- Monday, February 8, 2027
Appointment
June 21, 2027, to June 30, 2028 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - Benioff Children’s Hospital (NMS 293113) – 2 positions
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- UCSF Open House Events (Virtual)
- California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) Annual Seminar
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- You can find us at the UCSF Health booth at the Residency Showcase
Application Reviews
Each PGY1 applicant packet is screened and scored by members of the pediatrics team. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an interview will be extended.
Interviews
In person and virtual interviews via Zoom will be offered. The interview process consists of two 45-minute panel interviews and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director. Applicants are asked to prepare in advance a 10-minute presentation on a topic of their choice (not related to pharmacy or healthcare).
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Interview Dates for the 2027-2028 Application Cycle:
- Friday, February 5, 2027
- Monday, February 8, 2027
Appointment
Year One - June 21, 2027, to June 30, 2028 (53 weeks)
Year Two - July 5, 2028, to July 13, 2029 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY1/2 Combined HSPAL (NMS 307041)
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director, Program Coordinator and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
- Personnel Placement Services (PPS)
- Applicants are encouraged to participate in PPS if possible
Application Reviews
Each applicant packet is screened and scored by members of the Management Team. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), and work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an on-site interview will be extended.
Interviews
All interviews will be conducted in person. The interview process consists of two 30-minute panel interviews, and a personal interview with the PGY1 Residency Program Director. Additionally, candidates will interview with a panel of pharmacy leaders and the PGY2 HSPAL Residency Program Director. Applicants are asked to prepare in advance a 10-minute presentation on a topic of their choice (not related to pharmacy or healthcare).
Interview Dates:
- Thursday, February 11, 2027
- Friday, February 12, 2027
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Ambulatory Care (NMS # to come) - 1 position
Recruitment
This program participates in the University of California, System-Wide Early Commitment Process.
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by members of the ambulatory care team. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an on-site interview will be extended.
Interviews
The interview process consists of panel and personal interviews with ambulatory care pharmacists and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director.
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Critical Care (NMS 689452) - this position has been filled
Recruitment
This program participates in the University of California, System-Wide Early Commitment Process.
The Residency Program Director, Program Coordinator and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
- Personnel Placement Services (PPS)
- Applicants are encouraged to participate in PPS if possible
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by members of the Critical Care team. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), and work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an on-site interview will be extended.
Interviews
The interview process is a full day which consists of panel interviews with program preceptors, a personal interview with a pharmacy administrator (if available), and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director. Applicants are also asked to present a 20-min PowerPoint presentation on a critical care topic.
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Emergency Medicine - this position has been filled
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director, Program Coordinator, and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
- Personnel Placement Services (PPS)
- Applicants are encouraged to participate in PPS if possible
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by members of the Emergency Medicine pharmacy team. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, appropriate level of confidence, motivation, and adaptability), and work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an on-site interview will be extended.
Virtual Interviews
The interview process is a full day which consists of panel interviews with program preceptors, a personal interview with a pharmacy administrator, and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director. Applicants are also asked to present a 30-min PowerPoint presentation.
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Infectious Diseases (NMS 92156) – this position has been filled
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by a member of the PGY-2-ID Resident Selection Committee. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), and interest in and suitability for a career in infectious diseases. The screening score is used to determine if an on-site interview will be granted. On-site interviews are offered to approximately 4-6 applicants each year.
Interviews
The interview process consists of panel and personal interviews with pharmacists and infectious diseases physicians, and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director. Lunch is provided with select current residents and clinical pharmacists, in addition to a campus and medical center tour.
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Oncology (NMS 512060) – the 3 positions have been filled
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
- Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) Pathways Virtual Showcase
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by the RPD + 2 preceptors in the oncology pharmacy residency program. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), and work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), teaching (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an interview will be granted.
Interviews
The interview is a day-long engagement involving activities with preceptors from both Parnassus Heights and Mission Bay campuses. The interview process consists of two 30-minute panel interviews, and a personal interview with the Residency Program Director. Applicants are asked to prepare in advance a 15-minute presentation on an oncology-related topic of their choice.
PGY2 Oncology interviews will be held in late January and through February for the upcoming interview cycle.
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy – 2 positions total (position number includes the below pathways)
PGY2 Pediatric Specialty Pathway Options – Oncology and Critical Care
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- Program takes part in UC and SWEC Early Commitment Program
- UCSF Open House Events (Virtual)
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
- You can find us at the UCSF Health booth at the Residency Showcase
- Residency Showcase
- Personnel Placement Services (PPS)
- Applicants are encouraged to participate in PPS if possible
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by members of the Pediatrics team. Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), and work experience, aggregate letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. The screening score is used to determine if an on-site interview will be extended.
Virtual Interviews
All interviews will be conducted virtually via Zoom. The interview process is a full day which consists of a pediatric pharmacist panel interview +/- specialty panel interview (as applicable) as well as personal interviews with the Residency Program Director, pharmacy administrator, operational supervisor, medical faculty. Applicants are also asked to present a 20-min PowerPoint presentation as well as participate in a clinical question session.
PGY2 Pediatric Early Commitment Interviews via SWEC:
- Monday, November 2, 2026
PGY2 Pediatric Pharmacy Residency Interviews 2027:
- Tuesday, February 2, 2027
- Tuesday, February 9, 2027
Appointment
July 6, 2026, to July 11, 2027 (53 weeks)
Positions Available
PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant (NMS 748276) – the 2 positions have been filled
Recruitment
The Residency Program Director and residents recruit potential residency applicants at the following events:
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting
- Residency Showcase
- Personnel Placement Services (PPS)
Application Reviews
Each PGY2 applicant packet is screened and scored by 2 members of the Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Team and the PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Residency Program Director (RPD). Screeners assess the following: communication skills, clinical experience (breadth, performance, scope of activity), personal/environmental factors (maturity, confidence, motivation, and adaptability), and work experience, letters of recommendation, leadership/initiative, teaching (interest and/or experience), research (interest and/or experience), extracurricular involvement and academic performance. Invitations for an on-site interview will be sent out in January.
Virtual Interviews
The virtual interview process consists of a panel interview and a personal interview with the PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Residency Program Director. Applicants are asked to prepare in advance a 15–20-minute presentation on a solid organ transplant topic.
Interviews will be held from late January to early February 2026.