Update: CEimpact will be the BPS-approved professional development program (PDP) for the recertification of BCNSP effective January 1, 2027. See announcement here.
Washington, D.C. – The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) announces that Purdue University will conclude its role as a professional development program (PDP) for the recertification of Board-Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacists (BCNSP), effective December 31, 2025.
To support this transition, BPS has approved an interim transition plan and issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a PDP for the recertification of BCNSP.
BCNSP recertification activities offered through Purdue will remain available through December 31, 2025. After that date, Purdue will no longer provide recertification activities for BCNSP recertification. For questions about BCNSP activities between now and December 31, 2025, please contact Purdue at nutritionce@purdue.edu, noncredit@purdue.edu, or 765-494-0959.
Purdue will continue serving as a BPS-approved PDP for the recertification of Board-Certified Nuclear Pharmacists (BCNP).
Interim Transition Plan
BPS is committed to providing viable recertification options for BCNSP. BPS is implementing an interim transition plan for BCNSP to meet recertification requirements while BPS evaluates future programs. Effective January 1, 2026, BCNSP will be able to recertify using one of the following options:
Option 1: Examination Pathway (No Changes)
- Certification cycles beginning January 1, 2023, or earlier: Achieve a passing score on the examination administered by BPS.
- Certification cycles beginning January 1, 2024, and onward: Achieve a passing score on the examination administered by BPS and self-report 20 units of continuing professional development (CPD) in MyBPS (assessed CPE can also satisfy this requirement). For more information on CPD, review the FAQ. To maintain an active certification in good standing, a minimum of two units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs or self-reported CPD must be reported each year.
Option 2: Professional Development Pathway (during Transition Period)
- Beginning January 1, 2026 (and until the implementation of a new program) BCNSP must self-report ACPE-accredited continuing pharmacy education (CPE) that aligns with the BCNSP content outline. Certificants must self-report a minimum of 5 CPE and a maximum of 15 CPE annually during the transition period, regardless of recertification framework.
- All self-reported CPE must be ACPE-accredited and must align with the Nutrition Support Pharmacy Exam Content Outline and be accurately documented. Records are subject to audit. More information about self-reporting in MyBPS will be provided in early 2026.
- For certifications in the updated CPD-recertification framework, ACPE-accredited CPE aligned with the content outline for the purpose of this transition period will be applied toward the CPE requirement (rather than CPD; see chart below).
- Additional information about recertification via continuing professional development is below:
- Certification cycle beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: Earn the required number of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs. Click here for more information.
- Certification cycles beginning January 1, 2024 and onward: Earn 100 units, comprised of at least 80 units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs and up to 20 units of self-reported continuing professional development (CPD) (assessed CPE can also satisfy this requirement). To maintain an active certification in good standing, a minimum of two units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs or self-reported CPD must be reported each year.
| Existing Recertification Framework (cycle start date 1/1/2023 and earlier) | Updated CPD Recertification Framework (cycle start date 1/1/2024 onward) |
|---|---|
|
100 assessed CPE
*BCNSP self-report 5–15 per year towards 100 total
|
At least 80 assessed CPE
*BCNSP self-report 5–15 per year toward 80 total
Up to 20 self-report CPD
*BCNSP can self-report as activity type allows based on CPD FAQ chart
|
Request for Proposal (RFP)
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) and the Nutrition Support Pharmacy Specialty Council issue a request for proposals (RFP) to provide a professional development program for the recertification of board-certified nutrition support pharmacists (BCNSP). This RFP concerns continuing pharmacy education (CPE) and does not concern continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
The RFP can be accessed here.
Proposals will be accepted through Friday, November 28, 2025. The approved proposals will be awarded contracts for the period beginning July 1, 2026 or January 1, 2027, pending capability of approved program(s), and ending December 31, 2030. The RFP linked above contains all necessary information for responding to this request.
Timeline for Submission and Review of Proposals
| Release of RFP | Monday, July 21, 2025 |
| Intent-to-respond messages from prospective PDP providers due to BPS | Friday, August 15, 2025 |
| Questions from prospective PDP providers due to BPS | Friday, August 29, 2025 |
| BPS responses to prospective PDP provider questions | Friday, September 26, 2025 |
| Date and time of closing for submissions | Friday, November 28, 2025 |
| Anticipated contract award decision | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| Contract period begins | July 1, 2026 or January 1, 2027, pending provider ability |
Questions – Contact Ellie LaNou, PharmD, BCPS, BPS Director of Professional Affairs at elanou@aphanet.org.
About the Board of Pharmacy Specialties
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The mission of BPS is to improve patient care by positioning BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Specialists as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, through recognition and promotion of specialized training, knowledge, and skills for pharmacists in the United States and internationally. Board certification is a recognized credential for determining which pharmacists are qualified to contribute at advanced practice levels given the rigorous standards mandated by BPS board certification and recertification. As of the end of 2024, BPS recognized more than 62,250 pharmacist certifications across 15 specialties.
BPS Contact
Alexander Jean-Baptiste
Associate Director, Digital Marketing and Communications
ajeanbaptiste@aphanet.org
(202) 760-3836