Board of Pharmacy Specialties
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-7591
(202) 429-6304 FAX
www.bpsweb.org
BPS CONTACT
Steve Scarlatta
(202) 448-8721
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 17, 2012
Board of Pharmacy Specialties Announces Recertification Program Self-Study
Washington, DC - The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) today announced that its Board of Directors approved a self-study of the professional development program to explore opportunities for enhancements and to review current educational offerings.
"The goal of the self-study is to review and facilitate the development of a cutting-edge recertification program that includes the traditional elements as well as new activities for Board Certified Pharmacists," said BPS Executive Director William M. Ellis, RPh, MS.
Through the BPS strategic planning survey, a majority of Board Certified Pharmacists respondents (86%) felt that the current recertification program for their specialty ensures continued competence. Almost all of the respondents (97%) felt, however, that a variety of modalities for delivering continuing education and professional development should be available.
BPS-certified pharmacists demonstrate their advanced level of knowledge, skills and achievements by meeting the eligibility requirements and achieving a passing score on the specialty certification examination. The recertification process assures the public and the profession that board certified practitioners undergo periodic evaluation. Additionally, it provides practitioners with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and remain current in their field. Currently, Board Certified Pharmacists are required to recertify every seven years. Maintenance of certification can be accomplished by completing one the of the following professional development activities:
- Achieving a passing score on the recertification exam, or
- Earning a prescribed number of hours continuing education (CE) credit provided by a BPS approved professional development program (*Note: CE hours vary amongst specialties based on requirements established by the BPS Specialty Councils.)
"As the premiere post-licensure certification organization, BPS is committed to evaluating and approving innovative, high-quality education and assessment programs created by professional development providers that promote value to Board Certified Pharmacists, healthcare stakeholders, and patients," said BPS Chair Susan Goodin, PharmD, BCOP. "The self-study will identify areas for improvement and develop action plans to strengthen an already strong BPS recertification program."
The self-study will conclude December 2015 and involve a number of activities, such as reviewing current BPS policies and recertification activities; issuing surveys to certificants, providers, employers, and payers; and convening a stakeholder conference. BPS has closed its request for proposals (RFPs) on new professional development programs to conduct the comprehensive analysis. The RFPs will reopen at the conclusion of the self-evaluation period in January 2016.
"The healthcare environment is constantly changing; BPS and the professional development providers must evolve to meet the needs of Board Certified Pharmacists and the patients they serve," said BPS Director of Professional Affairs Brian Lawson, PharmD. "BPS is excited to seek input from within the pharmacy profession and learn from other professions and industries in an effort identify recertification options for Board Certified Pharmacists that are reasonable, relevant, and rigorous based on the principles of continuing professional development."
For more information on BPS activities including applying for the 2012 examination visit www.bpsweb.org
About the Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), an autonomous division ofthe American Pharmacists Association (APhA), was founded in January 1976 to recognize specialties and certify pharmacists in specialized areas of pharmacy practice. Six specialties are currently recognized by BPS, including: 1) nuclear pharmacy, since 1978; 2) nutrition support pharmacy, since 1988; 3) pharmacotherapy, since 1988; 4) psychiatric pharmacy, since 1992; and 5) oncology pharmacy, since 1996. The latest BPS specialty, focused on ambulatory care pharmacy, was approved in June 2009, and the first examination was administered in 2011. Currently almost 13,000 pharmacist specialists are certified by BPS.
