Oncology Pharmacy

Oncology pharmacy specialists recommend, design, implement, monitor and modify pharmacotherapeutic plans to optimize outcomes in patients with malignant diseases. Those who are granted certification in this specialty may use the designation Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist and the initials BCOP, as long as certification is valid.

Eligibility Requirements

The minimum requirements for this specialty certification are:

• Graduation from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or a program outside the U.S. that qualifies the individual to practice in the jurisdiction.
• Current, active license to practice pharmacy in the U.S. or another jurisdiction.
• Completion of four (4) years of practice experience with at least 50% of time spent in oncology pharmacy activities (as defined by the BPS oncology pharmacy content outline)
  OR
  Completion of a specialty (PGY2) residency* in oncology pharmacy plus one (1) additional year of practice with at least 50% of time spent in oncology pharmacy activities (as defined by the BPS oncology pharmacy content outline)
  *Effective January 1, 2013, only residencies accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) or residency programs that are under active consideration for accreditation by ASHP are creditable for this purpose.
• Achieving a passing score on the Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Certification Examination

Examination Content

(Refer to the Oncology Pharmacy Content Outline for details)

• Domain 1: Clinical Skills and Therapeutic Management. (60% of the examination)
• Domain 2: Generation, Interpretation, and Dissemination of Information. (20% of the examination)
• Domain 3: Guidelines, Policies, and Standards. (15% of the examination)
• Domain 4: Public Health and Advocacy. (5% of the examination)

Recertification

Recertification for Board Certified Oncology Pharmacists (BCOP) requires assessment of a practitioner's knowledge and skills through one of two methods:

• Achieving a passing score on the 100-item, multiple-choice objective recertification examination, based on the content outline of the certification examination;
  
  OR
• Earning 100 hours of continuing education credit provided by a professional development program approved by BPS. 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 organizations listed above for specific information about the program.

A current, active license to practice pharmacy is required for recertification.