Recertification by Continuing Education

The requirements for recertification using continuing education are listed below:

Ambulatory Care Pharmacy

The recertification requirements for Ambulatory Care Pharmacy are currently being discussed by the Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Specialty Council.

Nuclear Pharmacy

The continuing education option for recertification was implemented in 1976 with BPS’ designation of the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy’s Correspondence Continuing Education Courses for Nuclear Pharmacists, beginning with Volume V, as an acceptable professional development program.

A BCNP recertifying is required to earn 70 hours over the seven year certification period. At least 30 of these hours MUST be earned within the last three years of the certification period. There are no other restrictions as to which lessons in which years may be used to obtain the required number of hours, other than the lesson must have been issued in 1996 or thereafter (Volume V or later Volumes).

Nutrition Support Pharmacy

There is no continuing education option for the specialty at this time.

Oncology Pharmacy

In 2005, BPS approved a professional development program which is offered by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) in conjunction with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) that can be used by BCOP for recertification. Contact one of the organization listed above for specific information about the program offerings that will qualify for BCOP recertification credit. The BCOP is required to earn 100 hours credit from this program.

Pharmacotherapy

The continuing education option for recertification was implemented in 1994 with BPS’ designation of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy’s Pharmacotherapy Self - Assessment Program (PSAP) as an acceptable professional development program for recertification. In 2011, BPS approved two more options for recertification through ACCP, the Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course as well as the Clinical Reasoning Series. More information on these programs can be found on ACCP’s website at www.accp.com/careers/boardbcps.aspx.

BCPS recertifying are required to earn 120 hours of credit from approved programs. No more than 60 hours may be earned prior to the end of the fourth year of certification. However, all 120 hours may be earned during the last three years of certification. Those using PSAP for recertification should note that there is a postmark deadline for submission of the tests for recertification credit. The BCPS Expiration Date of a PSAP module determines the year the program is creditable, regardless of when it is completed and submitted by the certificant. For example, a module due on January 20 of a particular year will only be credited for that year, even if it was submitted in December of the previous year. You can download a PSAP completion chart by clicking here.

Please note the following regarding the additional continuing education offerings for recertification:

• The “Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course" may be completed for recertification credit, either in live or home study format, up to two times, in nonconsecutive years during the 7-year recertification cycle.

• Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists may participate in the “Clinical Reasoning Series” every year throughout their 7-year recertification cycle to earn recertification credit.

Psychiatric Pharmacy

The BPS-approved professional development program for Psychiatric Pharmacy is currently offered by the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP). Contact CPNP for specific information about their program offerings that will qualify for BCPP recertification credit.

The BCPP is required to earn 100 hours credit from this program.