BCPS (BPS) - Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist

The Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Pharmacist (BCPS) certification is a professional credential offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) for pharmacists specializing in pharmacotherapy. This certification demonstrates a pharmacist's expertise in the use of medications for the treatment and management of diseases in a variety of patient care settings.

Eligibility

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

• Active pharmacy license/registration

• Demonstrated Pharmacotherapy Pharmacy experience in one of the following ways:

  • 3 years of Pharmacotherapy Pharmacy practice experience within the last 7 years, with 50% of experience directly related to the exam scope

  • PGY2 residency in Pharmacotherapy Pharmacy within the last 7 years

Completion Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

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

Exam Format

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

• Pharmacotherapy Patient Population (29%)

• Therapeutics and Patient Management (50%)

• Professional Practice (21%)

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.

All renewal applications go through an initial review within 30 days of application and fee receipt. Candidates must renew their BCPS 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 120 units of BPS-approved continuing education (CE) from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) or American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).

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

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: BCPS 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: BCPS 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 Pharmacotherapy 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 Pharmacotherapy 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.

• BCPS Exam Content Outline

• 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 Nuclear Pharmacist (BCNP)

• Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist (BCNSP)

• Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP)

• Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists (BCPP)

• Board Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (BCSCP)

• Board Certified Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacist (BCTXP)