OBJECTIVE： To provide reference for the development of clinical pharmacists’ career and the establishment of legal system in China. METHODS： The background， progress and situation of applying for “pharmacists’ health care provider status” in the United States were introduced. The reasons for achieving provider status in California， Washington， and Oregon were summed up in aspects of politics， economics and education. The chance and challenge for achieving provider status at federal level were also discussed. Based on the development of clinical pharmacists in China， the suggestions were put forward for the improvement of legal system of clinical pharmacists in China. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS： “Health care provider status” in the United Stated were recognised by 3 states with local developed economics， high-level education， and collective efforts of pharmacy organizations. Multiple national pharmacy organizations as American Pharmacists Association， American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and American Pharmacy College Society are working together toward provider status at the federal level. Our country should pay attention to related legal system construction， establish perfect and definite clinical pharmacists legal system as soon as possible to provide legal guarantee for career development of clinical pharmacists in China.