By Brian E. Lawson, PharmD, ICE-CCP
BPS Executive Director
As another year draws to a close here in Washington, D.C., I find myself reflecting on what 2025 has meant for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) and our community of board-certified pharmacists. It has been a year marked by progress, collaboration, and the continued advancement of pharmacist specialization across the globe.
Throughout 2025, BPS continued its commitment to excellence. In May, BPS received reaccreditation from the International Accreditation Service (IAS) for compliance with ISO/IEC 17024 standards. This achievement reflected the collective work of our staff, volunteers, specialty councils, and board members who ensure every credential upholds the highest professional standards.
BPS also announced a new partnership with Pearson to deliver all BPS examinations beginning in January 2026. This transition will enhance accessibility and security for our candidates, expanding global reach while maintaining the quality and consistency that define BPS certification.
This fall, we reached a historic moment with the launch of the Board-Certified Pain Management Pharmacist (BCPMP) credential, the 15th specialty recognized by BPS. The inaugural examination in October marked the culmination of years of planning and collaboration, and in December, we proudly welcomed the first cohort of BCPMP pharmacists into the BPS community.
We also announced our 16th Specialty Certification in Pharmacy Informatics in December. We look forward to engaging subject matter experts in pharmacy informatics in the development of this certification program.
BPS supported research in 2025 through both the BPS Seed Grant program and our partnership with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Foundation for Education and Research.
We also had the privilege of honoring this year’s BPS Award recipients, Dr. Lauren Pamulapati, Dr. Ed Webb, and the Mayo Clinic for their remarkable contributions to board certification and the profession of pharmacy.
As I conclude my first eight months as Executive Director, I want to share my gratitude to the BPS Board, staff, subject matter experts, and the entire community for your sustaining enthusiasm and support. Board certification is what it is today because of the many people who underpin our vision of ensuring that “BPS Board Certified Pharmacists are recognized within healthcare delivery systems while serving the needs of the public and the pharmacy profession.”
As we look ahead to 2026, BPS will celebrate a significant milestone, 50 years of advancing pharmacist certification. This anniversary is both a reflection of our enduring legacy and a call to the future: to continue supporting pharmacists who strive for excellence, lifelong learning, and improved patient care through certification.
Thank you for being part of this growing and dynamic community of board-certified pharmacists. Together, we are shaping the future of pharmacy.