In the United States, colleges of pharmacy offer five- or six-year programs leading either to a bachelor of science degree in the pharmaceutical sciences or the doctor of pharmacy degree. Licenses are granted by states after the following requirements have been met: graduation from one of the 82 colleges and schools of pharmacy with programs accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education; participation in an internship under a registered pharmacist; and satisfactory completion of a national licensing examination. Pharmacists may practice their profession in a pharmacy located in a hospital, nursing home, or community-based pharmacy. Pharmacists may also work for managed care organizations, consulting firms, or pharmaceutical companies, which may hire these professionals to conduct scientific research or to participate in the development and production of new pharmaceutical products.