
Pharmacy Change of Ownership Rules by State: Permits, Notice Periods and Share-Sale Triggers (2026)
- Primary data
- SMBB coding of state pharmacy rules (51 jurisdictions); Census County Business Patterns 2023
- Data period
- Rules in force on 2026-11-02; CBP 2023
- Latest release used
- 2025-06-26
- Next release
- CBP 2024: not posted as of 2026-11-02; registry re-checked quarterly
- Geography
- 50 states and DC
- Sources
- 54 (51 Tier 1)
In most states a pharmacy change of ownership ends the seller's permit: 32 of the 47 jurisdictions whose rules we could open say the permit does not transfer. Eighteen also treat a partial share sale as a change, at thresholds from 10% to 50%, and 19 want notice before closing, a median 15 days ahead.
Pharmacy change of ownership registry: 50 states and DC
Checked quarterly, and after each legislative session or board rulemaking. Last checked 2026-11-02. Entries are neutral records of public data; each links to its source record.
| Jurisdiction | Coded rule for a community (retail) pharmacy permit when the business is sold | Date | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Permit transferable: yes, with board approval. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 10 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.35(3); r. 680-X-2-.40 (fine schedule) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Arizona | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 7 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. A.R.S. 32-1931(E); A.R.S. 32-1930.01 (Laws 2026, ch. 203, HB 2733) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Alaska | Permit transferable: yes, notice only. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. 12 AAC 52.020(f) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| California | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Bus. & Prof. Code 4201(f), 4110(b); 16 CCR 1709(b), (c) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Connecticut | Permit transferable: yes, notice only. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 10 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Conn. Gen. Stat. 20-597(d); 20-601(7) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Florida | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: 15 days after. Equity trigger: stock change excluded. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: clear text. Fla. Stat. 465.022(13); Fla. Admin. Code r. 64B16-28.2021 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Minnesota | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: before. Equity trigger: share 20%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Minn. R. 6800.0500 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Missouri | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: before. Equity trigger: stock change excluded. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 20 CSR 2220-2.020(3) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Washington | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. WAC 246-945-230(3)(c), (4); WAC 246-945-992(2) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Wisconsin | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Wis. Admin. Code Phar 6.02(2) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Georgia | Permit transferable: yes, with board approval. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: before. Equity trigger: any change. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-6-.01(3), (4) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Virginia | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 14 days before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Va. Code 54.1-3434; 18VAC110-20-10 ('acquisition'); 18VAC110-20-130(D) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| North Carolina | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 21 NCAC 46 .1603; .1604 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| South Dakota | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 30 days before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Change of Ownership guidance (rule text not located) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Oklahoma | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: after. Equity trigger: share 20%. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: interpretation needed. Okla. Admin. Code 535:25-3-7 (as reproduced by the Board) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Louisiana | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 15 days before. Equity trigger: stock change excluded. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. LIII, 1135 (amended LR 49:1558, Sept. 2023) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Colorado | Permit transferable: yes, with board approval. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. C.R.S. 12-280-118(2) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Illinois | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 90 days before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1330.400(a), (e); 1330.780 (amended 48 Ill. Reg. 10225, eff. June 28, 2024) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Pennsylvania | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: controlling interest. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 49 Pa. Code 27.11(d) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| South Carolina | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. S.C. Code 40-43-83(F); 40-43-86(B)(3)(b) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| North Dakota | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. N.D. Admin. Code 61-02-01-04; 61-02-01-05 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Oregon | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: 15 days before. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Or. Admin. R. 855-041-1080(10), (11), (12), (14), (15) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Texas | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 10 days after. Equity trigger: stock change excluded. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Tex. Occ. Code 560.101 (as cited by the Board); TSBP Class A change-of-ownership application | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Ohio | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: share 10%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Ohio Admin. Code 4729:5-2-03 (eff. Oct. 1, 2024) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Kentucky | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 5 days before. Equity trigger: stock change excluded. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 201 KAR 2:470 (eff. 10-23-2024); KRS 315.035(5) as summarized in the regulation | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Maryland | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: 30 days before. Equity trigger: controlling interest. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: clear text. COMAR 10.34.30.03; COMAR 10.34.14.03-1 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Massachusetts | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: 14 days before. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: clear text. 247 CMR 6.11; 247 CMR 6.14 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Michigan | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. MCL 333.17748(4) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Nebraska | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: 15 days after. Equity trigger: any change. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. DHHS Community Pharmacy renewal application (summarizing 175 NAC 8) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| New Mexico | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: before. Equity trigger: share 30%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 16.19.6.8(E) NMAC; 16.19.6.20 NMAC; NMSA 61-11-14(I) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Rhode Island | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 14 days before. Equity trigger: controlling interest. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. 216-RICR-40-15-1.3 ('change of ownership'); 216-RICR-40-15-1.6.4 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Utah | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 10 business days before. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Utah Code 58-17b-614(1)(a) (eff. 5/1/2024) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Vermont | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 2 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. 26 V.S.A. 2062(c); 26 V.S.A. 2063(a)(2) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| West Virginia | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. W. Va. Code 30-5-22(e) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Delaware | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. 24 Del. C. 2529(c) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| New York | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. 8 NYCRR 63.6(a)(3) as quoted on NYSED form PB-327; N.Y. Educ. Law 6808 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Mississippi | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: interpretation needed. Miss. Board of Pharmacy Regulations, Art. VII(4); Art. XXV(2) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Montana | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: yes. Notice: 30 days before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Admin. R. Mont. 24.174.804 (amended eff. 9/21/24) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Tennessee | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Tennessee Board of Pharmacy pharmacy application (2017 version) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Hawaii | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. Haw. Admin. R. 16-95-19; HRS 461-14 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Iowa | Permit transferable: yes, notice only. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: stock change excluded. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. Iowa Admin. Code 481-551.10(3)(a)(2); 481-550 ('change of ownership') (ARC 9337C, eff. 7/16/25) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| District of Columbia | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. DC Health pharmacy license application (rule text not located) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Indiana | Permit transferable: not found. Buyer needs own permit first: not found. Notice: not found. Equity trigger: not found. Inventory in state text: not found. Confidence: not found. | 2026-11-02 | not found | Record |
| Kansas | Permit transferable: not found. Buyer needs own permit first: not found. Notice: not found. Equity trigger: not found. Inventory in state text: not found. Confidence: not found. | 2026-11-02 | not found | Record |
| Maine | Permit transferable: not found. Buyer needs own permit first: not found. Notice: not found. Equity trigger: not found. Inventory in state text: not found. Confidence: not found. | 2026-11-02 | not found | Record |
| New Hampshire | Permit transferable: not found. Buyer needs own permit first: not found. Notice: not found. Equity trigger: not found. Inventory in state text: not found. Confidence: not found. | 2026-11-02 | not found | Record |
| Arkansas | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: before. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: interpretation needed. Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, Suggested Procedures When Buying or Selling a Pharmacy (rule text not located) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Idaho | Permit transferable: no. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: controlling interest. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. IDAPA 24.36.01.010 ('change of ownership'); IDAPA 24.36.01.230.02 and .05 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Nevada | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: 15 business days before. Equity trigger: share 50%. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: clear text. NAC 639.227 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| New Jersey | Permit transferable: yes, with board approval. Buyer needs own permit first: no. Notice: 30 days after. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: yes. Confidence: interpretation needed. N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.5(a) (Board chapter, last revision 5/20/2024) | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
| Wyoming | Permit transferable: not stated. Buyer needs own permit first: not stated. Notice: not stated. Equity trigger: not stated. Inventory in state text: not stated. Confidence: interpretation needed. W.S. 33-24-113 | 2026-11-02 | agency record | Record |
In 32 of 47 jurisdictions the pharmacy permit stays with the seller
We opened official text for 47 of 51 jurisdictions. In 32 of them a community pharmacy permit or license is not transferable, or the text says a new owner must obtain a new one. Only 7 let the existing permit continue, either through a board-approved transfer (Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, New Jersey) or with a notice (Alaska, Connecticut, Iowa).
California's Business and Professions Code says the pharmacy license 'shall not be transferable' and its board rule adds that the new owner 'shall apply to the board for licensure in advance of the proposed transactions' (16 CCR 1709). Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington use the same 'not transferable' wording in rule or statute.
Colorado is the clearest exception: on a transfer of ownership the new proprietor applies 'to transfer the registration', and the board transfers it on approval (C.R.S. 12-280-118(2)). Alabama charges a $350 fee 'for transfer of ownership of a pharmacy permit' (Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.35). Georgia bars the licensee from transferring the license but lets the Board 'reassign a license to a licensee or successor entity' on application.
Iowa moved the other way in 2025. Under its rewritten rules a pharmacy reports an ownership change in writing within 30 days, while a name, location or license-type change still needs an application at least 30 days ahead (481 IAC 551.10(3)).
Number of jurisdictions by coded answer (50 states plus DC)
Source: SMBB coding of state pharmacy statutes, rules and board documents, checked 2026-11-02.
Change of ownership (CHOW): The event a state board treats as a new owner taking over a licensed pharmacy. Each state defines it: some by the sale of assets, some by a change in the legal entity or its FEIN, some by a share of stock or membership interest changing hands.
Show all 51 rows
| Jurisdiction | Permit transferable | Buyer needs own permit before operating | Board notice | Equity sale that counts as a change of ownership | Controlled-substance inventory in state text | Confidence | Citation | Pharmacies and drug stores (CBP 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | yes, with board approval | not stated | 10 days after | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.35(3); r. 680-X-2-.40 (fine schedule) | 866 |
| Alaska | yes, notice only | no | 30 days after | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | 12 AAC 52.020(f) | 33 |
| Arizona | no | no | 7 days after | not stated | not stated | clear text | A.R.S. 32-1931(E); A.R.S. 32-1930.01 (Laws 2026, ch. 203, HB 2733) | 536 |
| Arkansas | no | no | before the change (no day count) | not stated | yes | interpretation needed | Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, Suggested Procedures When Buying or Selling a Pharmacy (rule text not located) | 511 |
| California | no | yes | before the change (no day count) | 50% or more | not stated | clear text | Bus. & Prof. Code 4201(f), 4110(b); 16 CCR 1709(b), (c) | 4247 |
| Colorado | yes, with board approval | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | clear text | C.R.S. 12-280-118(2) | 352 |
| Connecticut | yes, notice only | not stated | 10 days after | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | Conn. Gen. Stat. 20-597(d); 20-601(7) | 463 |
| Delaware | no | yes | not stated | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | 24 Del. C. 2529(c) | 159 |
| District of Columbia | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | DC Health pharmacy license application (rule text not located) | 116 |
| Florida | no | yes | 15 days after | stock change excluded | yes | clear text | Fla. Stat. 465.022(13); Fla. Admin. Code r. 64B16-28.2021 | 2828 |
| Georgia | yes, with board approval | yes | before the change (no day count) | any change | not stated | interpretation needed | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-6-.01(3), (4) | 1333 |
| Hawaii | no | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | Haw. Admin. R. 16-95-19; HRS 461-14 | 128 |
| Idaho | no | no | 30 days after | controlling interest | not stated | clear text | IDAPA 24.36.01.010 ('change of ownership'); IDAPA 24.36.01.230.02 and .05 | 149 |
| Illinois | no | no | 90 days before | 50% or more | not stated | clear text | 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1330.400(a), (e); 1330.780 (amended 48 Ill. Reg. 10225, eff. June 28, 2024) | 1374 |
| Indiana | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | none located | 730 |
| Iowa | yes, notice only | no | 30 days after | stock change excluded | not stated | clear text | Iowa Admin. Code 481-551.10(3)(a)(2); 481-550 ('change of ownership') (ARC 9337C, eff. 7/16/25) | 370 |
| Kansas | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | none located | 334 |
| Kentucky | no | no | 5 days before | stock change excluded | not stated | clear text | 201 KAR 2:470 (eff. 10-23-2024); KRS 315.035(5) as summarized in the regulation | 831 |
| Louisiana | no | not stated | 15 days before | stock change excluded | not stated | clear text | La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. LIII, 1135 (amended LR 49:1558, Sept. 2023) | 823 |
| Maine | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | none located | 175 |
| Maryland | no | yes | 30 days before | controlling interest | yes | clear text | COMAR 10.34.30.03; COMAR 10.34.14.03-1 | 758 |
| Massachusetts | no | yes | 14 days before | not stated | yes | clear text | 247 CMR 6.11; 247 CMR 6.14 | 845 |
| Michigan | not stated | no | 30 days after | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | MCL 333.17748(4) | 1630 |
| Minnesota | no | no | before the change (no day count) | 20% or more | not stated | clear text | Minn. R. 6800.0500 | 496 |
| Mississippi | no | not stated | not stated | not stated | yes | interpretation needed | Miss. Board of Pharmacy Regulations, Art. VII(4); Art. XXV(2) | 504 |
| Missouri | no | yes | before the change (no day count) | stock change excluded | not stated | clear text | 20 CSR 2220-2.020(3) | 718 |
| Montana | no | yes | 30 days before | more than 50% | not stated | clear text | Admin. R. Mont. 24.174.804 (amended eff. 9/21/24) | 112 |
| Nebraska | no | yes | 15 days after | any change | not stated | interpretation needed | DHHS Community Pharmacy renewal application (summarizing 175 NAC 8) | 228 |
| Nevada | not stated | not stated | 15 business days before | 50% or more | not stated | clear text | NAC 639.227 | 293 |
| New Hampshire | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | not found | none located | 158 |
| New Jersey | yes, with board approval | no | 30 days after | not stated | yes | interpretation needed | N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.5(a) (Board chapter, last revision 5/20/2024) | 1655 |
| New Mexico | no | yes | before the change (no day count) | 30% or more | not stated | clear text | 16.19.6.8(E) NMAC; 16.19.6.20 NMAC; NMSA 61-11-14(I) | 181 |
| New York | not stated | not stated | 30 days after | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | 8 NYCRR 63.6(a)(3) as quoted on NYSED form PB-327; N.Y. Educ. Law 6808 | 4253 |
| North Carolina | no | yes | before the change (no day count) | more than 50% | not stated | clear text | 21 NCAC 46 .1603; .1604 | 1466 |
| North Dakota | no | yes | not stated | not stated | not stated | clear text | N.D. Admin. Code 61-02-01-04; 61-02-01-05 | 167 |
| Ohio | not stated | no | 30 days after | 10% or more | not stated | clear text | Ohio Admin. Code 4729:5-2-03 (eff. Oct. 1, 2024) | 1285 |
| Oklahoma | no | no | after the change (no day count) | 20% or more | yes | interpretation needed | Okla. Admin. Code 535:25-3-7 (as reproduced by the Board) | 548 |
| Oregon | no | yes | 15 days before | not stated | not stated | clear text | Or. Admin. R. 855-041-1080(10), (11), (12), (14), (15) | 286 |
| Pennsylvania | no | no | 30 days after | controlling interest | not stated | clear text | 49 Pa. Code 27.11(d) | 1972 |
| Rhode Island | no | no | 14 days before | controlling interest | not stated | clear text | 216-RICR-40-15-1.3 ('change of ownership'); 216-RICR-40-15-1.6.4 | 149 |
| South Carolina | no | not stated | after the change (no day count) | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | S.C. Code 40-43-83(F); 40-43-86(B)(3)(b) | 676 |
| South Dakota | not stated | not stated | 30 days before | 50% or more | not stated | interpretation needed | South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Change of Ownership guidance (rule text not located) | 115 |
| Tennessee | no | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | Tennessee Board of Pharmacy pharmacy application (2017 version) | 904 |
| Texas | no | no | 10 days after | stock change excluded | not stated | interpretation needed | Tex. Occ. Code 560.101 (as cited by the Board); TSBP Class A change-of-ownership application | 3146 |
| Utah | not stated | not stated | 10 business days before | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | Utah Code 58-17b-614(1)(a) (eff. 5/1/2024) | 213 |
| Vermont | no | not stated | 2 days after | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | 26 V.S.A. 2062(c); 26 V.S.A. 2063(a)(2) | 92 |
| Virginia | no | not stated | 14 days before | 50% or more | not stated | clear text | Va. Code 54.1-3434; 18VAC110-20-10 ('acquisition'); 18VAC110-20-130(D) | 868 |
| Washington | no | no | not stated | more than 50% | not stated | clear text | WAC 246-945-230(3)(c), (4); WAC 246-945-992(2) | 627 |
| West Virginia | no | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | W. Va. Code 30-5-22(e) | 384 |
| Wisconsin | no | yes | not stated | not stated | not stated | clear text | Wis. Admin. Code Phar 6.02(2) | 652 |
| Wyoming | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | not stated | interpretation needed | W.S. 33-24-113 | 53 |
Coded from the official statute, rule or board document named in each row, checked 2026-11-02. 'Not stated' means the text we opened is silent; 'not found' means no official text could be opened (see methodology). Pharmacy counts: Census CBP 2023, NAICS 446110 establishments.
Source: [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][1] Alabama State Board of Pharmacy; Arizona State Board of Pharmacy; Alaska Board of Pharmacy; California State Board of Pharmacy; Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy / Department of Consumer Protection; Florida Board of Pharmacy; Minnesota Board of Pharmacy; Missouri Board of Pharmacy; Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission; Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board; Georgia Board of Pharmacy; Virginia Board of Pharmacy; North Carolina Board of Pharmacy; South Dakota Board of Pharmacy; Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy; Louisiana Board of Pharmacy; Colorado State Board of Pharmacy; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (State Board of Pharmacy); Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy; South Carolina Board of Pharmacy (LLR); North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy; Oregon Board of Pharmacy; Texas State Board of Pharmacy; State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy; Kentucky Board of Pharmacy; Maryland Board of Pharmacy; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy; Michigan Board of Pharmacy (LARA); Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit (Board of Pharmacy); New Mexico Board of Pharmacy; Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy; Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Pharmacy); Vermont Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional Regulation); West Virginia Board of Pharmacy; Delaware Board of Pharmacy; New York State Board of Pharmacy (NYSED Office of the Professions); Mississippi Board of Pharmacy; Montana Board of Pharmacy; Tennessee Board of Pharmacy; Hawaii Board of Pharmacy; Iowa Board of Pharmacy (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing); DC Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy; Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy; Idaho State Board of Pharmacy; Nevada State Board of Pharmacy; New Jersey Board of Pharmacy; Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy; U.S. Census Bureau
Boards ask for between 5 and 90 days of warning before closing
Nineteen jurisdictions want notice or an application before the change. Ten of them give a calendar-day count; the median is 15 days and the range runs from 5 days in Kentucky to 90 days in Illinois. Seventeen jurisdictions instead allow notice after the change; the median deadline among the 15 with a day count is 30 days.
Calendar days before the change; Utah and Nevada count business days
Source: SMBB coding of state pharmacy rules and statutes, checked 2026-11-02.
Illinois has the longest lead time: an in-state pharmacy must file the change-of-ownership application at least 90 days before the change (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1330.780, as last amended effective June 28, 2024). Maryland asks for 30 days and schedules a closing inspection of inventory and records within 14 days. Montana and South Dakota also use 30 days.
Several states attach no number to an advance requirement. North Carolina's rule only says a new permit is required, but the board's March 2025 guidance asks for applications 8 weeks ahead and warns that the old permit is void on the transfer date if the new one has not issued.
Days after the change of ownership; Vermont's 48 hours shown as 2
Source: SMBB coding of state pharmacy rules and statutes, checked 2026-11-02.
After-the-fact deadlines are shorter than they look. Vermont requires a report within 48 hours, Arizona's new bridge rule needs the buyer's notice within 7 calendar days and an application within 30, and Texas, Alabama and Connecticut work on 10 days.
| Jurisdiction | Timing relative to the change | Days | Unit | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | after | 30 | days | 12 AAC 52.020(f) |
| Pennsylvania | after | 30 | days | 49 Pa. Code 27.11(d) |
| Ohio | after | 30 | days | Ohio Admin. Code 4729:5-2-03 (eff. Oct. 1, 2024) |
| Michigan | after | 30 | days | MCL 333.17748(4) |
| New York | after | 30 | days | 8 NYCRR 63.6(a)(3) as quoted on NYSED form PB-327; N.Y. Educ. Law 6808 |
| Iowa | after | 30 | days | Iowa Admin. Code 481-551.10(3)(a)(2); 481-550 ('change of ownership') (ARC 9337C, eff. 7/16/25) |
| Idaho | after | 30 | days | IDAPA 24.36.01.010 ('change of ownership'); IDAPA 24.36.01.230.02 and .05 |
| New Jersey | after | 30 | days | N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.5(a) (Board chapter, last revision 5/20/2024) |
| Florida | after | 15 | days | Fla. Stat. 465.022(13); Fla. Admin. Code r. 64B16-28.2021 |
| Nebraska | after | 15 | days | DHHS Community Pharmacy renewal application (summarizing 175 NAC 8) |
| Alabama | after | 10 | days | Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.35(3); r. 680-X-2-.40 (fine schedule) |
| Connecticut | after | 10 | days | Conn. Gen. Stat. 20-597(d); 20-601(7) |
| Texas | after | 10 | days | Tex. Occ. Code 560.101 (as cited by the Board); TSBP Class A change-of-ownership application |
| Arizona | after | 7 | days | A.R.S. 32-1931(E); A.R.S. 32-1930.01 (Laws 2026, ch. 203, HB 2733) |
| Vermont | after | 2 | days | 26 V.S.A. 2062(c); 26 V.S.A. 2063(a)(2) |
| Illinois | before | 90 | days | 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1330.400(a), (e); 1330.780 (amended 48 Ill. Reg. 10225, eff. June 28, 2024) |
| South Dakota | before | 30 | days | South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Change of Ownership guidance (rule text not located) |
| Maryland | before | 30 | days | COMAR 10.34.30.03; COMAR 10.34.14.03-1 |
| Montana | before | 30 | days | Admin. R. Mont. 24.174.804 (amended eff. 9/21/24) |
| Louisiana | before | 15 | days | La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. LIII, 1135 (amended LR 49:1558, Sept. 2023) |
| Oregon | before | 15 | days | Or. Admin. R. 855-041-1080(10), (11), (12), (14), (15) |
| Nevada | before | 15 | business days | NAC 639.227 |
| Virginia | before | 14 | days | Va. Code 54.1-3434; 18VAC110-20-10 ('acquisition'); 18VAC110-20-130(D) |
| Massachusetts | before | 14 | days | 247 CMR 6.11; 247 CMR 6.14 |
| Rhode Island | before | 14 | days | 216-RICR-40-15-1.3 ('change of ownership'); 216-RICR-40-15-1.6.4 |
| Utah | before | 10 | business days | Utah Code 58-17b-614(1)(a) (eff. 5/1/2024) |
| Kentucky | before | 5 | days | 201 KAR 2:470 (eff. 10-23-2024); KRS 315.035(5) as summarized in the regulation |
Days relative to the change of ownership. Vermont's 48 hours is shown as 2 days. Utah counts business days. Rows without a day count are in table 1.
Source: [22][18][30][42][20][26][16][31][35][36][29][7][23][28][32][40][45][10][33][5][9][27][6][37] Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (State Board of Pharmacy); South Dakota Board of Pharmacy; Maryland Board of Pharmacy; Montana Board of Pharmacy; Louisiana Board of Pharmacy; Oregon Board of Pharmacy; Virginia Board of Pharmacy; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy; Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy; Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Pharmacy); Kentucky Board of Pharmacy; Alaska Board of Pharmacy; Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy; State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy; Michigan Board of Pharmacy (LARA); New York State Board of Pharmacy (NYSED Office of the Professions); Iowa Board of Pharmacy (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing); Florida Board of Pharmacy; Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit (Board of Pharmacy); Alabama State Board of Pharmacy; Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy / Department of Consumer Protection; Texas State Board of Pharmacy; Arizona State Board of Pharmacy; Vermont Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional Regulation)
Who may run the pharmacy between closing and the new permit
Fourteen jurisdictions require the buyer to hold its own permit, or a temporary permit in its name, before it operates; together they hold 13,980 pharmacy locations, 33.5% of the US total. Sixteen jurisdictions let the buyer keep the doors open for a period under the seller's permit or with a later filing.
- Grace period under the seller's permit: Minnesota (14 days or until the new license issues); Arkansas (14 days, per board guidance); Kentucky (KRS 315.035(5), as summarized in 201 KAR 2:470, lets the buyer operate under the seller's permit pending the application).
- Power of attorney agreement with the seller: Illinois and Washington, with the seller responsible for violations while the application is pending.
- Statutory bridge: Arizona since 2026 (Laws 2026, ch. 203), if the new owner notifies within 7 days, applies within 30 and attests to compliance; the board may deny continued operation.
- Board discretion: Rhode Island may extend the old license while the new application is processed; California may issue a temporary permit, for up to 180 days when needed to protect public safety.
- No bridge: North Carolina says a buyer may not operate under the old permit through a power of attorney, and Wisconsin requires the new license 'before the pharmacy may operate'.
These choices drive the closing date. Where the buyer needs its own permit first, the permit, the DEA registration and the controlled-substance transfer all have to line up on one day. The six stages of a sale on this site describe where licensing fits (how a business sale works).

The DEA inventory applies everywhere; seven states write their own
Federal rules require a complete controlled-substance inventory on the date of transfer and notice to the DEA at least 14 days ahead. Seven states repeat or extend the inventory duty in their own text or board guidance: Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey and Oklahoma.
Under 21 CFR 1301.52, a DEA registration cannot be assigned without DEA's written consent. The registrant transferring the business notifies the Special Agent in Charge at least 14 days before the transfer, takes a complete inventory on the transfer date, and hands over the controlled-substance records. That inventory is the seller's final inventory and the buyer's initial one.
The brief for this report also pointed to 21 CFR 1307.14. As amended in February 2026, that section now governs deliveries to emergency medical services locations, so the transfer rules sit in 1301.52.
| Step | Federal requirement | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Advance notice to DEA | Registrant-transferor notifies the DEA Special Agent in Charge at least 14 days before the proposed transfer (waivable) | 21 CFR 1301.52(d) |
| Registration transfer | No registration may be assigned or transferred except with DEA's written consent | 21 CFR 1301.52(b) |
| Inventory on transfer date | Complete inventory of all controlled substances transferred; serves as transferor's final and transferee's initial inventory | 21 CFR 1301.52(e)(1) |
| Schedule I and II | Transfers of Schedule I or II substances need DEA order forms (part 1305) | 21 CFR 1301.52(e)(1) |
| Records | Transferor's controlled-substance records pass to the transferee on the transfer date | 21 CFR 1301.52(e)(2) |
21 CFR 1301.52 as current on eCFR, 2026-10-29. Applies in every state alongside the state board rules.
Source: [3] eCFR, Office of the Federal Register
State versions differ in detail. Massachusetts requires both managers of record to sign the inventory and both pharmacies to file an attestation. Florida requires the new permit to record an 'opening inventory'. Oklahoma's board guidance asks for the inventory within 10 days and a copy to the board. Mississippi requires a copy of the inventory to be sent to the board, and New Jersey requires the new owner to take one.
41,792 pharmacy locations sit under these 51 rulebooks
Census County Business Patterns counts 41,792 pharmacy and drug store establishments with payroll in 2023. One in three, 14,099, is owned through an S-corporation, an entity whose owners can sell either its assets or its shares.
Pharmacy and drug store establishments, CBP 2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023; SMBB rule coding, checked 2026-11-02.
Jurisdictions where the permit does not transfer hold 27,365 locations, 65.5% of the total. The 18 partial-equity-trigger jurisdictions hold 16,201 locations, including 5,383 S-corporation locations.
| Rule | Coded value | Jurisdictions | Pharmacies and drug stores (CBP 2023) | Share of US pharmacies (%) | S-corporation pharmacies | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit transferable | no | 32 | 27365 | 65.5 | 8820 | AR AZ CA DE FL HI ID IL KY LA MA MD MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NM OK OR PA RI SC TN TX VA VT WA WI WV |
| Permit transferable | not stated | 8 | 7958 | 19.0 | 3164 | DC MI NV NY OH SD UT WY |
| Permit transferable | yes, with board approval | 4 | 4206 | 10.1 | 1563 | AL CO GA NJ |
| Permit transferable | not found | 4 | 1397 | 3.3 | 327 | IN KS ME NH |
| Permit transferable | yes, notice only | 3 | 866 | 2.1 | 225 | AK CT IA |
| Buyer needs own permit before operating | no | 16 | 15312 | 36.6 | 4913 | AK AR AZ IA ID IL KY MI MN NJ OH OK PA RI TX WA |
| Buyer needs own permit before operating | yes | 14 | 13980 | 33.5 | 4679 | CA DE FL GA MA MD MO MT NC ND NE NM OR WI |
| Buyer needs own permit before operating | not stated | 17 | 11103 | 26.6 | 4180 | AL CO CT DC HI LA MS NV NY SC SD TN UT VA VT WV WY |
| Buyer needs own permit before operating | not found | 4 | 1397 | 3.3 | 327 | IN KS ME NH |
| Equity sale treatment | not stated | 23 | 15478 | 37.0 | 5538 | AK AL AR AZ CO CT DC DE HI MA MI MS ND NJ NY OR SC TN UT VT WI WV WY |
| Equity sale treatment | set equity share | 12 | 11612 | 27.8 | 3789 | CA IL MN MT NC NM NV OH OK SD VA WA |
| Equity sale treatment | equity sale excluded | 6 | 8716 | 20.9 | 2851 | FL IA KY LA MO TX |
| Equity sale treatment | controlling interest | 4 | 3028 | 7.2 | 939 | ID MD PA RI |
| Equity sale treatment | any change in owners | 2 | 1561 | 3.7 | 655 | GA NE |
| Equity sale treatment | not found | 4 | 1397 | 3.3 | 327 | IN KS ME NH |
Establishments with payroll, NAICS 446110, CBP 2023 (posted 2025-06-26), summed over the jurisdictions in each coded group.
Source: [1][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51] U.S. Census Bureau; Alabama State Board of Pharmacy; Arizona State Board of Pharmacy; Alaska Board of Pharmacy; California State Board of Pharmacy; Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy / Department of Consumer Protection; Florida Board of Pharmacy; Minnesota Board of Pharmacy; Missouri Board of Pharmacy; Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission; Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board; Georgia Board of Pharmacy; Virginia Board of Pharmacy; North Carolina Board of Pharmacy; South Dakota Board of Pharmacy; Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy; Louisiana Board of Pharmacy; Colorado State Board of Pharmacy; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (State Board of Pharmacy); Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy; South Carolina Board of Pharmacy (LLR); North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy; Oregon Board of Pharmacy; Texas State Board of Pharmacy; State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy; Kentucky Board of Pharmacy; Maryland Board of Pharmacy; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy; Michigan Board of Pharmacy (LARA); Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit (Board of Pharmacy); New Mexico Board of Pharmacy; Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy; Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Pharmacy); Vermont Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional Regulation); West Virginia Board of Pharmacy; Delaware Board of Pharmacy; New York State Board of Pharmacy (NYSED Office of the Professions); Mississippi Board of Pharmacy; Montana Board of Pharmacy; Tennessee Board of Pharmacy; Hawaii Board of Pharmacy; Iowa Board of Pharmacy (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing); DC Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy; Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy; Idaho State Board of Pharmacy; Nevada State Board of Pharmacy; New Jersey Board of Pharmacy; Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy
| Legal form of organization | Pharmacy and drug store establishments (CBP 2023) | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| C-corporations and other corporate forms | 23885 | 57.2 |
| S-corporations | 14099 | 33.7 |
| Sole proprietorships | 760 | 1.8 |
| Partnerships | 2607 | 6.2 |
| Nonprofits | 396 | 0.9 |
| Government | 0 | 0.0 |
| Other | 0 | 0.0 |
| All legal forms | 41792 | 100.0 |
CBP 2023 legal form rows for NAICS 446110. Legal-form rows sum to 45 fewer establishments than the all-forms total because some state cells are absent from the file.

Eight states amended these rules between 2023 and 2026
Change-of-ownership rules move. The dated changes below were read in the official text.
- Louisiana, September 2023: new permit only when the direct holder or its FEIN changes; application 15 days before closing (LR 49:1558).
- Illinois, June 28, 2024: latest amendment of 1330.780, which carries the 90-day lead time and the 50% ownership and board-majority triggers (48 Ill. Reg. 10225).
- Montana, September 21, 2024: rule 24.174.804 amended; it carries the 'more than 50 percent' trigger and written notice for 5 to 50 percent changes.
- Ohio, October 1, 2024: rule 4729:5-2-03 effective, with the 10% voting-stock trigger.
- Kentucky, October 23, 2024: 201 KAR 2:470 defines change of entity ownership and excludes stock transfers.
- Iowa, July 16, 2025: former chapter 657-8 rescinded; ownership changes now need written notice within 30 days (481 IAC 551.10).
- Alabama, June 14, 2026: permit fee rule 680-X-2-.35 amended; transfer-of-ownership fee $350.
- Arizona, 2026: Laws 2026, ch. 203 (HB 2733) adds A.R.S. 32-1930.01, letting a business operate under its existing permit during the review.
Owners who are weighing a buyer can use the questions to ask a broker on this site to check that licensing timing is in the deal plan.
Counts and distributions
Count of jurisdictions where the permit does not transfer
Formulacount(transferable == 'no') over the registry
Inputs: fact sheet rows 1 to 51 (registry); tables/registry.csv (fact sheet rows)
Result: 32 of 47 jurisdictions with official text (32 of all 51)
A buyer should assume a new permit application in most states, even when the store name, staff and location stay the same.
Limitations: Eight jurisdictions with text are 'not stated'; four have no official text located. A 'no' coded from a board form is rated 'interpretation needed'.
Median and range of advance notice periods
Formulamedian and range of days where timing == before, calendar days only
Inputs: registry rows for IL, SD, MD, MT, LA, OR, VA, MA, RI, KY (derived d2, d2b, d2c) (fact sheet rows)
Result: Median 15 days; range 5 (Kentucky) to 90 (Illinois); 10 jurisdictions
Fifteen days is the middle of the range, but the one large market at 90 days (Illinois) sets the pace for multistate buyers.
Limitations: Utah's 10 and Nevada's 15 business days are excluded from the median; 7 jurisdictions require advance action without a day count.
Signature: equity-sale trigger distribution
Formulacount by stock rule; count by stated share
Inputs: registry rows; derived d3, d3a, d3_10, d3_20, d3_30, d3_50, d3d (fact sheet rows)
Result: 18 jurisdictions treat a partial equity sale as a change of ownership: 1 at 10%, 2 at 20%, 1 at 30%, 8 at 50%, 4 controlling interest, 2 any change; 6 exclude equity sales
A share purchase does not avoid a new permit in Ohio, Minnesota, Oklahoma or New Mexico even for a minority stake, while in Florida, Texas, Missouri and Kentucky it generally does.
Limitations: South Dakota is coded from board guidance; 'controlling interest' and 'any change' are not percentages; 23 jurisdictions with text are silent on equity sales.
Pharmacy locations by rule group
Formulasum of CBP 2023 NAICS 446110 establishments over the states in each coded group; share = group / 41,792
Inputs: CBP 2023 state file (fact sheet row 52); registry groups (fact sheet rows)
Result: Partial-equity jurisdictions: 16,201 locations (38.8%); no-transfer jurisdictions: 27,365 (65.5%); own-permit-first: 13,980 (33.5%)
Rules that complicate share sales cover more than a third of US pharmacy locations.
Limitations: Establishments, not firms; chains are counted per location; CBP excludes pharmacies without payroll.
S-corporation exposure
Formulasum of LFO 'Z' establishments; share of total
Inputs: CBP 2023 legal form rows (fact sheet rows 53 to 59) (fact sheet rows)
Result: 14,099 S-corporation locations (33.7%); 5,383 of them in partial-equity jurisdictions
The equity trigger matters to entity owners such as S-corporations; a sole proprietor has no shares to sell.
Limitations: Legal form describes the owner of the establishment; it does not identify independent pharmacies.
Key findings
- 32 of 47 jurisdictions with official text say a community pharmacy permit does not transfer to a buyer, as of 2026-11-02.[8][10][11][26][13][14][17][16][48]
- Only 7 jurisdictions let the existing permit continue: Alabama, Colorado, Georgia and New Jersey with board approval, and Alaska, Connecticut and Iowa with notice.[5][21][15][50][7][9][45]
- 18 jurisdictions treat a partial sale of the owning entity's shares or membership interests as a change of ownership (2026).[28][11][19][34][8][22][49][48][23][30][35]
- Ohio has the lowest stated equity trigger, 10% of voting stock, in rule 4729:5-2-03 effective October 1, 2024.[28]
- 8 states set the trigger at 50% of ownership; North Carolina, Washington and Montana require more than 50%.[8][22][16][18][49][17][13][42]
- 6 jurisdictions say an equity sale of the permit holder is not a change of ownership: Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky.[10][20][27][45][12][29]
- 19 jurisdictions require notice or an application before the change; among the 10 with a calendar-day count the median is 15 days.[22][30][42][18][20][26][16][31][35][29]
- Illinois requires the application at least 90 days before the change for in-state pharmacies, the longest lead time found (rule as last amended effective June 28, 2024).[22]
- 17 jurisdictions accept notice after the change, from 48 hours in Vermont to 30 days in eight states.[37][7][23][28][32][40][45][48][50]
- 14 jurisdictions require the buyer to hold its own permit before operating; they contain 13,980 pharmacy locations, 33.5% of the 2023 US total.[1][8][12][14][17][26][31]
- 16 jurisdictions offer a bridge, such as Minnesota's 14-day grace period or Arizona's 2026 statute letting the business operate under its existing permit during review.[11][6][22][13][29]
- Federal rules require DEA notice at least 14 days before a transfer and a complete controlled-substance inventory on the transfer date (21 CFR 1301.52).[3]
- CBP 2023 counts 41,792 pharmacy and drug store establishments with payroll; 14,099 (33.7%) are owned through S-corporations.[1]
Executive summary
- A pharmacy sale is a licensing event: 32 of 47 jurisdictions with official text say the permit does not transfer to the buyer.
- Only 7 jurisdictions let the existing permit continue, 4 through board approval and 3 with a notice.
- In 18 jurisdictions a partial sale of shares or membership interests counts as a change of ownership; 12 name a percentage from 10% to 50%.
- 6 jurisdictions say an equity sale of the permit holder is not a change of ownership, usually through an FEIN or listed-owner test.
- 19 jurisdictions want notice before the change (median 15 days among 10 with a day count; Illinois asks for 90).
- 14 jurisdictions require the buyer's own permit before it operates; 16 offer a bridge such as a grace period or power of attorney agreement.
- The DEA requires 14 days' notice and a same-day controlled-substance inventory in every state.
- These rules cover 41,792 pharmacy locations (CBP 2023), a third of them owned through S-corporations.
Questions people ask
Can I transfer my pharmacy license to a new owner?
Usually not. In 32 of 47 jurisdictions with official text the permit is not transferable and the buyer applies for its own. Colorado, Alabama, Georgia and New Jersey allow a board-approved transfer, reassignment or change-of-ownership application, and Alaska, Connecticut and Iowa let the permit continue with a notice. Confirm with your state board.
How do I sell my pharmacy?
Plan the licensing timeline with the deal: check whether your state treats your structure (asset sale or share sale) as a change of ownership, file the buyer's application on time (up to 90 days ahead in Illinois), give the DEA 14 days' notice, and take the controlled-substance inventory on the transfer date. A broker or attorney can sequence these steps; see the six stages on our home page.
How much notice does the board of pharmacy need for a change of ownership?
It ranges from 5 days before (Kentucky) to 90 days before (Illinois); the median of the 10 jurisdictions with a calendar-day count is 15 days. Seventeen jurisdictions instead accept notice after the change, from 48 hours (Vermont) to 30 days.
Does a pharmacy need a new DEA registration after a sale?
A DEA registration cannot be assigned without DEA's written consent (21 CFR 1301.52(b)). The seller notifies DEA at least 14 days before the transfer, and both parties use the transfer-date inventory as the final and initial inventory. South Dakota's board, for example, tells the new pharmacy to apply for its own DEA registration.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a pharmacy change of ownership?
Each state defines it. Common triggers are a sale of substantially all assets, a new legal entity, a partner change, or a set share of stock changing hands: 10% in Ohio, 20% in Minnesota and Oklahoma, 30% in New Mexico and 50% in eight states.
Does selling the shares of my pharmacy company avoid a new permit?
Sometimes. Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky say an equity sale of the permit holder is not a change of ownership, though most still want a notice. In 18 jurisdictions a partial equity sale does trigger a change of ownership.
Which state needs the most advance notice?
Among jurisdictions with a day count, Illinois: an in-state pharmacy files its change-of-ownership application at least 90 days before the change (68 Ill. Adm. Code 1330.780, as amended effective June 28, 2024).
Can the buyer run the pharmacy on the seller's permit?
In 16 jurisdictions there is some bridge, such as Minnesota's 14 days or a power of attorney agreement in Illinois and Washington. In 14 the buyer needs its own permit first, and North Carolina says the old permit is void on the transfer date.
Is a controlled-substance inventory required when a pharmacy is sold?
Yes under federal rules: a complete inventory on the transfer date serves as the seller's final and the buyer's initial inventory (21 CFR 1301.52(e)). Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Jersey and Oklahoma add their own inventory rules or guidance.
How many pharmacies are affected by these rules?
Census County Business Patterns counts 41,792 pharmacy and drug store establishments with payroll in 2023, posted June 26, 2025.
How many pharmacies are owned by S-corporations?
14,099 establishments, 33.7% of the 2023 total, are owned through S-corporations; 23,885 (57.2%) through C-corporations and other corporate forms.
Which states changed their rules recently?
Arizona (2026 bridge statute), Alabama (fee rule effective June 14, 2026), Iowa (new rules July 16, 2025), Illinois, Ohio, Montana and Kentucky (2024) and Louisiana (2023).
Why are some states marked not found?
For 4 jurisdictions (Indiana, Kansas, Maine, New Hampshire) we could not open official rule text: the official site blocked automated access, served a JavaScript shell or had no free copy. We did not fill those rows from law firm summaries.
How often is this registry checked?
Quarterly, and after each legislative session or board rulemaking. This version was checked on 2026-11-02.
Download the data
Every table in this report is available as a CSV under CC BY 4.0. The fact sheet lists each value with its source URL and access date.
For journalists and researchers
If you cite only a few, cite these
- 18 jurisdictions treat a partial equity sale as a pharmacy change of ownership, at stated thresholds from 10% to 50%.[28][11][22]
- 32 of 47 jurisdictions with official text say the pharmacy permit does not transfer.[8][10][13]
- Median advance notice: 15 days; range 5 (Kentucky) to 90 (Illinois).[29][22]
Most quotable statistics
- 32 of the 47 jurisdictions with official text say a community pharmacy permit does not transfer to a buyer (SMBB coding, 2026-11-02).[8][10][11][13]
- In 18 jurisdictions, selling part of the shares of the company that owns a pharmacy is a change of ownership; Ohio's trigger is 10% of voting stock.[28][11][19][34]
- Illinois asks for a pharmacy change-of-ownership application 90 days before the change, the longest lead time found in this registry.[22]
- The median advance notice period is 15 days among the 10 jurisdictions with a day count.[29][22][30][16]
- Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky say an equity sale of the permit holder is not a change of ownership.[10][20][27][45][12][29]
- One in three US pharmacy locations, 14,099 of 41,792 in 2023, is owned through an S-corporation.[1]
Press summary
Selling an independent pharmacy usually means the buyer must get a new state permit, and in many states even a share sale counts. Sell My Business Broker coded the change-of-ownership rules of all 50 states and DC from official statutes, board rules and board documents checked on November 2, 2026. Official text was located for 47 jurisdictions. In 32 of them the permit does not transfer to a buyer. Eighteen treat a partial sale of shares or membership interests as a change of ownership, with stated thresholds from 10% in Ohio to 50%, while six (Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky) say an equity sale of the permit holder is not one. Nineteen jurisdictions want notice before closing, a median of 15 days among those with a day count, and Illinois asks for 90. Census data show 41,792 pharmacy locations with payroll in 2023, a third owned through S-corporations. The data and coding are free to reuse under CC BY 4.0.
Suggested headlines
- Selling a pharmacy? In 32 of 47 jurisdictions the permit stays with the seller
- Eighteen jurisdictions count a partial share sale as a pharmacy change of ownership
- Ohio's 10% stock trigger is the lowest in the country for pharmacy sales
- Illinois wants 90 days' notice before a pharmacy changes hands; the median is 15
- Six jurisdictions let a pharmacy's shares change hands without a new permit
How to cite this report
Sell My Business Broker. (2026). Pharmacy Change of Ownership Rules by State: Permits, Notice Periods and Share-Sale Triggers (2026). Retrieved from https://sellmybusinessbroker.com/research/pharmacy-change-of-ownership-by-state/
Reuse license
Data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0. Attribution: “Source: Sell My Business Broker, Pharmacy Change of Ownership Rules by State: Permits, Notice Periods and Share-Sale Triggers (2026)” with a link to this page.
Reproduce this analysis
Every figure comes from the files below. The scripts that pulled and computed them are kept with the report and can be re-run.
| Dataset | Publisher | Source | Query or filter | Rows used | Retrieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| County Business Patterns 2023, state file | U.S. Census Bureau | File or endpoint | naics == '446110'; lfo in {-, C, Z, S, P, N, G, O}; 51 jurisdictions | 51 all-forms rows plus legal-form rows | 2026-11-02 |
| 21 CFR 1301.52 and 1307.14 | eCFR (Office of the Federal Register) | File or endpoint | Versioner API, date 2026-10-29 | 2 sections | 2026-11-02 |
| State pharmacy statutes, rules and board documents | State legislatures, secretaries of state and boards of pharmacy | File or endpoint | Change of ownership, transfer, notification sections for community pharmacy permits; the official URL for each row is in the state table on this page | 51 jurisdictions coded; 47 with official text | 2026-11-02 |
Data quality and exclusions
- CBP: kept NAICS 446110 rows for 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC); dropped other industries and Puerto Rico. Legal-form rows sum to 45 fewer establishments than the all-forms total because some state cells are absent.
- CBP employment values are noise-infused; only establishment counts are used in headline figures.
- Registry: 4 jurisdictions coded 'not found' after official sites blocked scripts or had no free text (listed in excluded.md); they are excluded from the 47-jurisdiction denominators. A second retrieval pass on 2026-11-02 recovered 5 of the 9 first-pass gaps (Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, New Jersey, Wyoming), 3 of them from labelled Internet Archive copies.
- Utah's 10 and Nevada's 15 business days removed from the calendar-day median (2 rows). Vermont's 48 hours coded as 2 days.
- Board forms and guidance used for 8 rows' main coding (Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, DC, New York) are rated 'interpretation needed'.
- One cited federal section dropped as a transfer citation: 21 CFR 1307.14 now covers EMS deliveries.
Methodology
Selection: one row per state and DC for a community (retail) pharmacy permit or license. Sources were limited to official statute and rule sites, board-published rule compilations, and board forms or guidance on board or state websites. Law firm and trade articles were read only as pages to beat. Where an official page blocked automated requests we used an Internet Archive copy of the same official page and labelled it (file names beginning WB_ in raw/).
Coding: each row records whether the permit is transferable, whether the buyer needs its own permit before operating, notice timing and day count, the equity-sale trigger, and whether state text requires a controlled-substance inventory at the change. 'Not stated' means the text opened is silent on that field. Confidence is 'clear text' when a statute or rule states the point, 'interpretation needed' when the row relies on a board form, guidance or inference, and 'not found' when no official text could be opened.
Conflicts: rules were preferred over forms and guidance. Where a board form stated more than the rule (Oklahoma's inventory deadline, North Carolina's 8-week filing advice), the form is cited as guidance in the note and the field is marked accordingly. Florida's 15-day notice applies to equity sales that do not change the permit holder; Utah's 10 business days is excluded from the calendar-day median.
Derived metrics: counts and medians are computed by scripts/build_data.py from scripts/registry_rows.py. Pharmacy locations come from the Census County Business Patterns 2023 state file (posted 2025-06-26), NAICS 446110 (CBP 2023 still uses the 2017 code; the brief's 456110 is the 2022 code), summed across states in each rule group by scripts/cbp_pharmacy.py.
Limitations: 4 jurisdictions are not found and 22 rows need interpretation. The registry codes state rules only; it does not cover payer, PBM, Medicaid or accreditation re-enrollment. It is not legal advice.
Last update: 2026-11-02. The registry is checked quarterly and after each legislative session. Corrections can be sent through the contact page; owners looking for a broker can use the broker match form.
This report presents published data with its limitations. It is not legal, financial or investment advice.
Sources, ranked by quality
Tier 1: primary and official sources (51)
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau. County Business Patterns 2023, state file (cbp23st.zip). 2023, posted 2025-06-26. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [2] U.S. Census Bureau. CBP state record layout (legal form of organization codes). Layout. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [3] eCFR, Office of the Federal Register. 21 CFR 1301.52 Termination of registration; transfer of registration. Current as of 2026-10-29. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [4] eCFR, Office of the Federal Register. 21 CFR 1307.14 (as amended 91 FR 5242, Feb. 5, 2026). Current as of 2026-10-29. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [5] Alabama State Board of Pharmacy. Alabama: Ala. Admin. Code r. 680-X-2-.35(3); r. 680-X-2-.40 (fine schedule). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [6] Arizona State Board of Pharmacy. Arizona: A.R.S. 32-1931(E); A.R.S. 32-1930.01 (Laws 2026, ch. 203, HB 2733). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [7] Alaska Board of Pharmacy. Alaska: 12 AAC 52.020(f). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [8] California State Board of Pharmacy. California: Bus. & Prof. Code 4201(f), 4110(b); 16 CCR 1709(b), (c). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [9] Connecticut Commission of Pharmacy / Department of Consumer Protection. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. 20-597(d); 20-601(7). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [10] Florida Board of Pharmacy. Florida: Fla. Stat. 465.022(13); Fla. Admin. Code r. 64B16-28.2021. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [11] Minnesota Board of Pharmacy. Minnesota: Minn. R. 6800.0500. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [12] Missouri Board of Pharmacy. Missouri: 20 CSR 2220-2.020(3). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [13] Washington Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission. Washington: WAC 246-945-230(3)(c), (4); WAC 246-945-992(2). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [14] Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board. Wisconsin: Wis. Admin. Code Phar 6.02(2). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [15] Georgia Board of Pharmacy. Georgia: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 480-6-.01(3), (4). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [16] Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Virginia: Va. Code 54.1-3434; 18VAC110-20-10 ('acquisition'); 18VAC110-20-130(D). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [17] North Carolina Board of Pharmacy. North Carolina: 21 NCAC 46 .1603; .1604. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [18] South Dakota Board of Pharmacy. South Dakota: South Dakota Board of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Change of Ownership guidance (rule text not located). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [19] Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy. Oklahoma: Okla. Admin. Code 535:25-3-7 (as reproduced by the Board). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [20] Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. Louisiana: La. Admin. Code tit. 46, pt. LIII, 1135 (amended LR 49:1558, Sept. 2023). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [21] Colorado State Board of Pharmacy. Colorado: C.R.S. 12-280-118(2). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [22] Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (State Board of Pharmacy). Illinois: 68 Ill. Adm. Code 1330.400(a), (e); 1330.780 (amended 48 Ill. Reg. 10225, eff. June 28, 2024). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [23] Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy. Pennsylvania: 49 Pa. Code 27.11(d). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [24] South Carolina Board of Pharmacy (LLR). South Carolina: S.C. Code 40-43-83(F); 40-43-86(B)(3)(b). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [25] North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy. North Dakota: N.D. Admin. Code 61-02-01-04; 61-02-01-05. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [26] Oregon Board of Pharmacy. Oregon: Or. Admin. R. 855-041-1080(10), (11), (12), (14), (15). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [27] Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Texas: Tex. Occ. Code 560.101 (as cited by the Board); TSBP Class A change-of-ownership application. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [28] State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Ohio: Ohio Admin. Code 4729:5-2-03 (eff. Oct. 1, 2024). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [29] Kentucky Board of Pharmacy. Kentucky: 201 KAR 2:470 (eff. 10-23-2024); KRS 315.035(5) as summarized in the regulation. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [30] Maryland Board of Pharmacy. Maryland: COMAR 10.34.30.03; COMAR 10.34.14.03-1. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [31] Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy. Massachusetts: 247 CMR 6.11; 247 CMR 6.14. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [32] Michigan Board of Pharmacy (LARA). Michigan: MCL 333.17748(4). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [33] Nebraska DHHS Licensure Unit (Board of Pharmacy). Nebraska: DHHS Community Pharmacy renewal application (summarizing 175 NAC 8). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [34] New Mexico Board of Pharmacy. New Mexico: 16.19.6.8(E) NMAC; 16.19.6.20 NMAC; NMSA 61-11-14(I). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [35] Rhode Island Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy. Rhode Island: 216-RICR-40-15-1.3 ('change of ownership'); 216-RICR-40-15-1.6.4. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [36] Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Pharmacy). Utah: Utah Code 58-17b-614(1)(a) (eff. 5/1/2024). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [37] Vermont Board of Pharmacy (Office of Professional Regulation). Vermont: 26 V.S.A. 2062(c); 26 V.S.A. 2063(a)(2). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [38] West Virginia Board of Pharmacy. West Virginia: W. Va. Code 30-5-22(e). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [39] Delaware Board of Pharmacy. Delaware: 24 Del. C. 2529(c). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [40] New York State Board of Pharmacy (NYSED Office of the Professions). New York: 8 NYCRR 63.6(a)(3) as quoted on NYSED form PB-327; N.Y. Educ. Law 6808. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [41] Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. Mississippi: Miss. Board of Pharmacy Regulations, Art. VII(4); Art. XXV(2). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [42] Montana Board of Pharmacy. Montana: Admin. R. Mont. 24.174.804 (amended eff. 9/21/24). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [43] Tennessee Board of Pharmacy. Tennessee: Tennessee Board of Pharmacy pharmacy application (2017 version). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [44] Hawaii Board of Pharmacy. Hawaii: Haw. Admin. R. 16-95-19; HRS 461-14. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [45] Iowa Board of Pharmacy (Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing). Iowa: Iowa Admin. Code 481-551.10(3)(a)(2); 481-550 ('change of ownership') (ARC 9337C, eff. 7/16/25). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [46] DC Department of Health, Board of Pharmacy. District of Columbia: DC Health pharmacy license application (rule text not located). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [47] Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. Arkansas: Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy, Suggested Procedures When Buying or Selling a Pharmacy (rule text not located). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [48] Idaho State Board of Pharmacy. Idaho: IDAPA 24.36.01.010 ('change of ownership'); IDAPA 24.36.01.230.02 and .05. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [49] Nevada State Board of Pharmacy. Nevada: NAC 639.227. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [50] New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. New Jersey: N.J.A.C. 13:39-4.5(a) (Board chapter, last revision 5/20/2024). Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [51] Wyoming State Board of Pharmacy. Wyoming: W.S. 33-24-113. Text in force as read 2026-11-02. Accessed 2026-11-02.
Tier 3: journalism and expert commentary (3)
- [52] Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney (via Legal 500). Pharmacy Change of Ownership Transactions: Why CHOW Must Be Handled Correctly. 2026. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [53] Drug Topics. A legal checklist for new pharmacy owners. 2026. Accessed 2026-11-02.
- [54] Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Don't Jeopardize Your License: California State Board of Pharmacy notification obligations. Undated. Accessed 2026-11-02.