OBJECTIVE： To provide reference for the formulation of Chinese pharmacy accreditation criteria. METHODS： By literature method， the evolution of American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy （AACP） membership criteria were described， and the development of Chinese pharmacy accreditation criteria were also described. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS： The membership criteria of AACP are characterized by attaching importance to investigation and research， highlighting goal orientation， keeping pace with the times， and strengthening process supervision. The pharmacy accreditation criteria in China was mainly promoted by the competent education department from top to bottom， which has the characteristics of government dominance， decision-making authority and caution. Compared with the American pharmacy accreditation criteria， there were some problems in our country， such as slow response to professional changes， poor flexibility of system and insufficient reflection of overall professional development. Although there is no real similar organization in China， the development of AAPA membership criteria can be used for reference in China， such as the close relationship between pharmacy industry associations and accreditation organizations， strengthening the construction of pharmaceutical accreditation organizations to maintain their independence and specialty， pharmacy standards dynamic adjustment， etc.