The licensing committee of the California State Board of Pharmacy on Oct. 15 reviewed a draft implementation plan for AB 1503, the board’s recently signed sunset bill, and identified priority next steps for public outreach and regulation updates.

The committee’s chair, Song El, said the governor signed AB 1503 on Oct. 1 and that many of the bill’s provisions will require agency implementation work before they take effect. “With this action, significant change to pharmacy law will become effective on 01/01/2026,” the chair said during agenda item discussion.

Why it matters: AB 1503 bundles multiple changes that the board will need to operationalize — from a new pharmacy technician advisory committee (PTAC) to expanded authority for pharmacists to practice under a standard-of-care model. The committee discussed both regulatory and non‑regulatory approaches for implementing the law quickly and consistently across California.

What the committee discussed and directed
- Pharmacy technician advisory committee (PTAC). The statute requires a seven‑member advisory panel that includes four licensed pharmacy technicians, two licensed pharmacists (one of whom must be a board member), and one public member. Committee members favored short, practical application criteria and suggested terms of roughly four years with one renewal. Members emphasized that technician appointees should be working technicians with a range of practice settings represented. The chair asked staff to prepare an application and outreach plan for the full board to consider.

- Standard of care. The committee reviewed a draft policy statement and staff recommendation to implement the statutory standard-of-care provisions. Several commenters and committee members urged a concise policy that “steps away from detailing out what you can do” and instead recognizes pharmacists’ professional judgment. The California Pharmacists Association’s Sean Kim told the committee the association will “support implementation” and offer materials to help clinicians operationalize the new framework.

- Remote processing and inspections. Committee members discussed the law’s clarification that pharmacists are not limited to working within the four walls of a licensed pharmacy. Staff proposed draft text to permit remote dispensing functions while ensuring pharmacies maintain policies and procedures for patient privacy and security. Industry commenters recommended virtual inspection options and cautioned against requiring board staff to inspect personal residences. The committee asked staff to draft an interim policy and to revisit specific inspection language ahead of formal rulemaking.

- Self-assessment and compounding. Since many self‑assessment questions will be incorporated into statute, staff said the board can approve forms more quickly (via board action rather than rulemaking) and will begin collaborative outreach with stakeholders to overhaul and simplify compounding self‑assessments in early 2026.

- Nonresident pharmacies and PIC rules. The committee heard that amendments requiring California‑licensed pharmacist-in-charge (PIC) authority for nonresident pharmacies become effective July 1, 2026. Members asked staff to prepare FAQs and targeted notices for nonresident licensees explaining PIC expectations and timelines.

- Notices, staffing authority and enforcement. The bill gives PICs explicit authority to determine adequate staffing. The committee favored creating sample notices and outreach materials for pharmacies to post and recommended the Communications Committee produce consumer‑facing materials explaining complaint processes and staffing expectations.

Public comment and stakeholder input. Dozens of stakeholders addressed the committee. California Pharmacists Association and California Society of Health-System Pharmacists offered support and pledged assistance with training and communications. Industry representatives urged clarity on cybersecurity, remote‑work inspection protocols and timelines for nonresident compliance.

Next steps and timing. The committee asked staff to prepare draft application materials for PTAC, develop an interim remote‑processing policy, and circulate draft FAQs for nonresident pharmacies and PIC responsibilities. Many of the statutory changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026; one nonresident pharmacy provision becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Votes at a glance. The committee approved the minutes of the June 12, 2025 meeting earlier in the session. Vice Chair Trevor Chandler, and members Renee Barker, Claudia Mercado, Satinder Sandhu and Chair Song El voted “yes.”

What to watch next: The committee will bring formal draft language and outreach plans to the full board for action. Staff were instructed to coordinate stakeholder input, publish FAQs, and return with recommended appointment processes for the PTAC.