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Staying on top
Recertification assures the BPS-certified pharmacist, along with the public and the profession at large, that specialty skills and knowledge are maintained at exceptional levels and comparable to newly certified practitioners. ALL BOARD CERTIFIED PHARMACISTS MUST RECERTIFY EVERY SEVEN (7) YEARS. Applicants for recertification must be currently licensed to practice pharmacy. In addition, there are distinct requirements for each specialty that must be met to complete the recertification process. TWO RECERTIFICATION OPTIONS are available for all specialties other than Nutrition Support. Candidates may recertify either through completion of CE requirements or by Examination. Nutrition Support applicants recertify through the examination process only. If a BPS-certified pharmacist specialist does not apply for recertification, the individual’s specialty certified status will lapse with his/her name being deleted from the official BPS roster. The individual will no longer be able to use the title or initials of a BPS-certified pharmacist specialist nor will they be allowed to display their BPS credential. If a BPS-certified pharmacist fails to successfully complete the recertification process, an extension of his/her certification may be granted for one (1) year by special arrangement with BPS. If the recertification process is not completed within that period, the individual’s status as a BPS-certified pharmacist specialist will lapse. Once certification has lapsed, reinstatement can be achieved only by successfully completing the entire certification process. General Application Information Applications for specialty recertification must be submitted by the postmark deadline of August 1 and are processed within 20 working days of receipt. Incomplete applications will not be processed, and those submitted after August 1 may be returned unprocessed. If an application is rejected for any reason, the entire fee and all materials are returned with an explanatory letter. Two application options are available:
Name and/or Address Changes It is imperative that candidates promptly notify BPS, in writing, of any changes in name or address. Notification for admission to the examination, mailing of test results, maintenance of certified status and renewal of certification depend on the Board’s having current information. Recertification candidates who are either unable to sit for the examination on the scheduled date, or who believe that they will not be able to complete all required CE by December 31 of the year in which they are to recertify, may request an extension of their certification status. This request must be in writing with explicit reasons for the extension and must be received by BPS by December 31st of the recertification year. A recertification application form and the $400 recertification fee must be submitted prior to or with this request for extension. Board review on a case-by-case basis may result in a one-time, one-year extension. All recertification requirements will need to be completed by the end of the one-year extension or that individual’s certification will lapse and his/her name will be removed from the official roster of BPS-certified pharmacist specialists. Annual Registration All BPS-certified pharmacists are required to register annually with the Board and pay a yearly fee of $100. An invoice for the annual fee is mailed in the spring. Failure to pay the annual fee results in removal from BPS’ official list of certified pharmacists for that year. This list of certified specialists, “in good standing,” is published on the BPS web site and elsewhere. Upon applying for recertification, all outstanding annual fees and a 5% penalty must be paid. Along with the annual fee payment, BCNP are requested to submit a form documenting their practice activities in Nuclear Pharmacy during the past year. BCNSP are requested to submit documentation of continuing education hours in Nutrition Support during the past year, along with their annual fee payment. This documentation is relevant to recertification requirements for each specialty. Appeals Process The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties has a process in place through which any appeals of Board decisions are handled. Potential appellants should read and follow the policy carefully. Recertification by Continuing Education Candidates who wish to recertify using BPS-approved continuing education programs MUST submit their application by the August 1 deadline. CE hours for recertification may continue to be earned for credit through the end of the calendar year. Providers of BPS-approved continuing education programs report all CE hours directly to BPS. The following BPS-approved professional development programs may be contacted for further information. Pharmacotherapy and Oncology Pharmacy: Nuclear Pharmacy: Psychiatric Pharmacy: Recertification by Exam An Admission Permit will be mailed to each candidate at least two weeks prior to the examination date. This permit notes the candidate’s name and address as they appear in the official BPS files, Candidate Number, test site, room name, and start time for the examination. The Admission Permit, plus a valid picture identification with signature, MUST be presented at the examination site for entrance to the testing room. If an applicant has not received this permit at least 5 days before the examination, BPS should be notified immediately by phone [(202) 429-7591] or email (bps@aphanet.org). Withdrawals Withdrawal from the recertification exam process is not permitted, except under emergency situations. Written requests for medical or personal emergency withdrawals are reviewed by the BPS Executive Director on a case-by-case basis. These requests, along with supporting documentation, must be received by BPS no later than SEVEN days after the examination date. NOTE: No refund of the recertification fee will be made. Retaking the Examination If a recertification candidate fails to achieve a passing score on the test, an exam retake must occur the following year. During this period, the individual’s certification remains active. An abbreviated application form will be supplied by BPS, and the fee for retaking the exam is $300. If the recertification candidate does not retake the exam within the one year period, the individual’s name is permanently removed from the official roster of BPS-certified pharmacy specialists. Reinstatement can be achieved only through successful completion of the entire certification process. Inclement Weather and Cancellations The safety of all candidates is of the utmost concern to BPS. If an exam must be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, the Board will place cancellation notices on the BPS web site (www.pbsweb.org). Applicants are urged to contact the Board [(202) 429-7591 or bps@aphanet.org] or visit the web site on the day prior to the exam if weather conditions or other situations suggest a possible cancellation. In the event an exam is cancelled, candidates will be offered a full refund of the fees paid. BPS, however, is not responsible for any personal costs or expenses incurred by candidates to that point. Arrangements for Persons with Disabilities Arrangements for persons with disabilities will be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Candidates may request accommodations by submitting the “Disability Accommodation Request Form” along with the regular application. All forms and applications must be postmarked no later than August 1. Professionals who submit supporting documentation on behalf of the candidate may be contacted for clarification on the accommodation. Foreign Trained/Foreign Licensed Candidates BPS recertification processes are developed primarily for pharmacists licensed and practicing in the USA. Recertification applicants who are not licensed to practice in the USA need only provide a photocopy of their current, active legal authorization to practice pharmacy in their country of origin or residence, along with their application form. Throughout the BPS specialty exams, all measurements from laboratory test results are expressed in traditional units. For those candidates whose pharmacy practice is outside of the United States, a conversion chart from traditional units to standard international units will be provided. The Board is aware that examination questions dealing with regulatory issues in the USA are not necessarily pertinent to candidates who practice in foreign countries. However, all candidates are given the same examination and are held to the same standard of achievement, regardless of the country in which they practice and its regulations. NOTE: BPS certification does not confer the privilege to practice pharmacy in the USA or in any other country. |
| © 2006 Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties, 1100 15th Street, NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20005-1707, 202-429-7591 · FAX 202-429-6304 · bps@aphanet.org |