California’s adoption of a standard of care model marks a historic turning point for the pharmacy profession in the Golden State. By removing legal barriers, pharmacists are empowered to use their professional judgment and training to better meet the needs of their patients.

A light rain fell on the domed copper roof of the California State Capitol building in Sacramento on Oct. 1, 2025. Inside, California Assembly Bill 1503 (AB 1503), a bill representing years of advocacy and strategic collaboration, was signed into law.

“This bill is one of the most important fundamental changes in law to affect pharmacy practice in California,” said Kevin Komoto ’08, ’09, PharmD, MBA, president of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA).

Approximately every four years, the California State Legislature requires the California State Board of Pharmacy to undergo a sunset review to justify its activities and functions. The board leveraged this routine oversight process to also address issues requiring statutory changes. The board began discussing a standard of care practice model for pharmacists in 2022. However, a change in practice would require statutory change by the legislature.

Enactment of AB 1503 marks a fundamental shift from a scope of practice model to a standard of care practice model in specified situations. Historically, pharmacists were limited to providing services that were expressly stated in the law or in a written collaborative practice agreement with prescribers. In contrast, a standard of care practice model is based on licensure and training, a model well established for other health care professions, including physicians and nurses. This change enables pharmacists to practice more broadly by applying their clinical judgement and education to meet patient needs. Under this model and in specified areas, pharmacists can more fully utilize their expertise in medication management, disease prevention and public health services to improve the lives of patients in California.

“Previously, pharmacist-provided patient care was specifically written into law or regulation, such that by the time these protocols came into effect they were already outdated,” said Maria Serpa ’87, PharmD, FASHP, FCSHP, who has served as a member of the California State Board of Pharmacy since her appointment in 2018. “Standard of care means pharmacists have the opportunity to use best practices and current knowledge to provide patient care in specified areas where the pharmacist has knowledge and experience.”

Since 1891, the board has worked to protect the health and safety of the public. Today, the board consists of 13 members who oversee more than 13,000 site licenses, 50,000 pharmacists and 66,000 pharmacy technicians.

While this law gives pharmacists greater latitude to practice patient care, certain aspects of pharmacy practice, such as compounding and the regulation of other license types overseen by the board, will continue to be specifically regulated.

When the law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, the focus shifted to education and implementation.

“AB 1503 is truly a landmark step forward for pharmacy practice in California,” said David G. Mitchell ’00, PharmD, MBA, CSP, FCPhA, president-elect of CPhA. “However, passing the law is only part of the work. Implementation determines whether this change results in real, lasting impact for patients and pharmacists across every practice setting. Without continued advocacy and intentional implementation, the full intent of AB 1503 would remain only partially realized.”

Across California, Pacific alumni are working diligently to leverage this opportunity to reinforce pharmacy’s place in health care.

This legislative change reaffirms pharmacists’ experience and judgement in providing safe, accessible, patient-centered care. A standard of care practice model also supports innovation across diverse practice settings and the expansion of clinical services. For patients, this translates into improved access to care, timely interventions and enhanced medication safety and outcomes.

“Pharmacy remains one of the most accessible points of care in California,” Dr. Mitchell said. “With the right alignment across policy, payment and practice, pharmacists can play an even greater role in supporting patients and strengthening the health care system in every community and every practice setting.”