BCNP (BPS) - Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist

The Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP) certification is a professional credential offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) for pharmacists specializing in the care of older adults. This certification recognizes a pharmacist's expertise in Nuclear pharmacotherapy and the unique medication-related needs of the elderly population.

Eligibility

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

• Active pharmacy license/registration

• Demonstrated Nuclear Pharmacy experience through 4,000 hours of practice experience in Nuclear Pharmacy within the past 7 years in one of the following ways:

  • Completion of training/experience required for an authorized nuclear pharmacist as identified by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Regulations, resulting in a current, active radioactive material program license issued by the NRC or a state with NRC Agreement State status

  • PGY1 or PGY2 Nuclear Pharmacy residency within the last 7 years, up to 2,000 hours of hour-to-hour credit

  • Internship satisfying state boards of pharmacy requirements, with up to 2,000 hours of hour-for-hour credit in a licensed nuclear pharmacy or facility authorized to handle radioactive materials

  • Nuclear Pharmacy practice up to 4,000 hours of hour-for-hour credit in a licensed nuclear pharmacy or healthcare facility with state or federal agency approval to handle radioactive materials

Completion Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

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

Exam Format

The BCNP exam contains 150 questions, with 125 scored items and 25 unscored. 

From January 2024 to August 2024, questions cover the following topics:

• Procurement, Storage, and Handling (16%)

• Preparation, Compounding, Repackaging, End-product Testing and Dispensing (40%)

• Personnel, Equipment and Environmental Requirements (16%)

• Licensing and Occupational Safety (16%)

• Drug Information and Professional Consultation (12%)

From August 2024 onward, questions cover the following topics:

• Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals (47%)

• Patient Management (24%)

• Professional Practice (29%)

BPS exams receive a scaled score between 200 and 800, with a minimum score of 500 required to pass. The BCNP exam is available through continuous testing, so candidates can expect to receive 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.

All renewal applications go through an initial review within 30 days of application and fee receipt. Candidates must renew their BCNP 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 Purdue University College of Pharmacy.

• Jan 1, 2024, onwards: complete 20 units of self-reported CPD and 80 units of BPS-approved assessed CE from Purdue University College of Pharmacy.

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: BCNP 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: BCNP 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.

CPD activities must correlate to the content outline domains of Nuclear 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 Nuclear 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.

• BCNP Exam Content Outline (Jan-Aug 2024)

• BCNP Exam Content Outline (August 2024 onward)

• Candidate’s Guide

• Recertification Guide

• Recertification by Continuing Pharmacy Education Guide

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 Infectious Diseases Pharmacist (BCIDP)

• 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)