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BCIDP (BPS) - Board Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist

  • Cost $600
  • Renews every 7 years

COURSE FORMAT

Online
In Person

About

The Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP) certification is a professional credential offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) for pharmacists specializing in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. This certification validates a pharmacist's expertise in managing complex infections, developing and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs and optimizing antimicrobial therapy.

Eligibility

  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited pharmacy program graduate or international equivalent

  • Active pharmacy license/registration

  • Demonstrated Infectious Disease Pharmacy experience in one of the following ways:

    • 4 years of Infectious Disease Pharmacy practice experience within the last 7 years, with 50% of experience directly related to the exam scope

    • PGY1 residency plus 2 years of Infectious Disease Pharmacy practice experience within the last 7 years, with 50% of experience directly related to the exam scope

    • PGY2 residency in Infectious Disease Pharmacy within the last 7 years

Completion Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Cost: $600 / $300 exam retake fee if retaken within 1 year

Course Format

Exam Format

The BCIDP exam contains 150 questions, with 125 scored items and 25 unscored. Questions cover the following topics:

  • Patient Care and Therapeutics (70%)

  • Education, Public Health and Translation of Evidence to Practice (15%)

  • Antimicrobial Stewardship and Practice Management (15%)

BPS exams receive a scaled score between 200 and 800, with a minimum score of 500 required to pass. Candidates taking the exam in the windowed exam administration can expect their score report within 90 calendar days following the close of the scheduled exam administration window. Those taking the exam through continuous testing administration can expect their score report within 60 calendar days of their testing session. Scores are received electronically via their online account. Reports indicate pass or fail only and don’t include a numerical score.

Candidates who are unsuccessful may retake the exam a maximum of 2 times with at least 90 days but no more than 200 days in between attempts. After the third failed attempt, they must wait 1 year to submit a new application and fee to begin the process again.

In Person

Candidates take the computer-based exam in person at Prometric testing centers nationwide. They’re provided with a scientific calculator on their computer screen for use during the exam because outside calculators aren’t permitted.

Online

Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is available for candidates in the United States, Australia and Canada through a partnership between BPS and Prometric. LRP is provided through Prometric’s ProProctor online proctoring platform, which offers remote testing through ProProctor Live and ProProctor AI.

Renewal

All renewal applications go through an initial review within 30 days of application and fee receipt. Candidates must renew their BCIDP certification by December 31 every 7 years by completing one of the following pathways:

Option One: Recertification Exam

  • Before Jan 1, 2023: Pass the exam

  • Jan 1, 2024, onwards: Pass the exam and complete 20 units of self-reported continuing professional development (CPD)

Option Two: Professional Development Program

  • Before Jan 1, 2023: Complete 100 units of BPS-approved continuing education (CE) from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) or Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP).

  • Jan 1, 2024, onwards: complete 20 units of self-reported CPD and 80 units of BPS-approved assessed CE from ASHP or SIDP.

Recertification applications are available in January of the 7th year of the certification cycle and are due by August 26. Candidates recertifying by exam must sit for the exam by October 15 to achieve a passing score before the December 31 recertification deadline.

Renewal Fees

  • Year 1 through Year 6 of the certification cycle: BCIDP certification holders pay $125 annually by July 1 as a certification maintenance fee.

  • A $5 late fee is applied each year the annual certification maintenance fee goes unpaid.

  • All unpaid/outstanding fees must be paid before applying for recertification.

  • Year 7 of the certification cycle: BCIDP certification holders pay a $400 recertification fee with their recertification application.

  • Renewal applicants who renew by exam but are unsuccessful may retake the exam with an additional $300 retake application fee.

  • Pharmacists holding multiple BPS certifications pay only one $125 annual certification maintenance fee and one $400 recertification fee that covers all credentials.

Continuing Education

CPD activities must correlate to the content outline domains of Infectious Disease Pharmacy. BPS recognizes 7 categories of activities, including:

  • Assessed Continuing pharmacy education (CPE) from a BPS-approved professional development program

  • CPE and CPD portfolios

  • Academic, Professional and Interprofessional Study

  • Teaching and Precepting Learners

  • Scholarly Activities

  • Workplace Activities

  • Leadership and Professional Service

Certificants may earn CPE from any ACPE-accredited provider but it must correlate with the content outline domains of Infectious Disease Pharmacy. From January 1, 2024, onward, both recertification pathways include 20 units of CPD, with 80 units of CE required for the professional development program pathway only.

Other Resources

Related Certifications

The BPS also offers the following certifications:

  • Board Certification in Ambulatory Care (BCACP)

  • Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP)

  • Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist (BCCP)

  • Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP)

  • Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacists (BCGP)

  • Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP)

  • Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist (BCNSP)

  • Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP)

  • Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPP)

  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)

  • Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP)

  • Board Certified Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacist (BCTXP)

The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) offers the HIV Pharmacist (AAHIVP) certification.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I earn a BPS Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP) online?

Yes you can earn a BPS Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP) online.

What organization offers the Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP)?

The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) offers the Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP).

How often do I need to renew my BPS Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP)?

You must renew your BPS Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP) every seven years.

What are the options available for renewing the BPS Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP)?

You have two options available when renewing your BPS Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP):

  • Retaking the certification exam and completing 20 units of self-reported continuing professional development (CPD).

  • Completing 20 units of self-reported CPD and 80 units of BPS-approved assessed CE from ASHP or SIDP.

What other certifications does the BPS offer besides the Board Certified Infectious Disease Pharmacist (BCIDP)?

The BPS also offers the following certifications:

  • Board Certification in Ambulatory Care (BCACP)

  • Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP)

  • Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist (BCCP)

  • Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP)

  • Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacists (BCGP)

  • Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP)

  • Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist (BCNSP)

  • Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP)

  • Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPP)

  • Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS)

  • Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP)

  • Board Certified Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacist (BCTXP)