OBJECTIVE: To construct a research competency index system suitable for hospital pharmacists in China and evaluate it, promoting the transformation of hospital pharmacists and the construction and development of pharmacy discipline. METHODS: Combining literature research, behavioral event interviews were conducted on pharmaceutical personnel from 18 tertiary hospitals in 7 regions nationwide. Based on the interview results, a framework was developed. The framework was refined through focus group discussions and 2 rounds of Delphi expert consultations. The weights of each indicator were determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in the Yaahp software. The indicator system was validated and evaluated through a questionnaire survey. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using SPSS 23.0 software, and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using Amos 24.0 software to examine the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. RESULTS: This study ultimately established a research competency indicator system for Chinese hospital pharmacists, comprising 3 primary indicators, 9 secondary indicators, and 42 tertiary indicators. The weights for each level of indicators were determined. The questionnaire survey method validated the reliability and validity of the system, indicating a good fit of the system. CONCLUSION: The research has successfully established a research competency indicator system for Chinese hospital pharmacists, which exhibits good representativeness, authority, and applicability. It provides a theoretical basis for future studies on the research competency of hospital pharmacists and provides a valuable reference for promoting the construction and development of pharmacy discipline.