By Anita Siu, PharmD, BCPPS
Chair, BPS Board of Directors
Welcome to a milestone year for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)! As we begin 2026, I am excited to share key highlights and upcoming initiatives that reflect our commitment to advancing pharmacy practice.
Since 1976, BPS has been committed to excellence and innovation in pharmacist board certification. In 2026, we proudly celebrate our golden anniversary—50 years of specialty certification for pharmacists! Since the 40th Anniversary in 2016, BPS has grown by 8 certification programs and thousands of board-certified pharmacists! Throughout 2026, BPS will host special events, share inspiring stories, and honor the achievements that have shaped the journey of board certification. Stay tuned for announcements and opportunities to join the celebration!
As of January 2026, BPS proudly recognizes more than 63,400 active pharmacist certifications across 15 specialties worldwide. The 16th certification program in Pharmacy Informatics was approved in December 2025, and we look forward to working with the inaugural Pharmacy Informatics Specialty Council to develop the first examination. BPS continues to explore emerging practice areas, with active calls for petition in Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmacogenomics, and these efforts reflect our commitment to advancing patient care and recognizing evolving pharmacy specialties.
We understand that time is valuable, and BPS is committed to delivering a seamless and efficient certification process as we transition from our previous test delivery services provider, Prometric, to the new provider, Pearson. The BPS team has worked diligently to ensure a smooth candidate experience once the examination window opens on January 20, 2026. Additionally, in response to pharmacists’ feedback, BPS is implementing immediate score reporting, providing a preliminary pass/fail result immediately following examination sessions in the continuous testing format.
On behalf of the BPS Board of Directors, we are excited for the year to come. I’m excited to work alongside Chair-Elect, Dr. Brian Erstad, and new board members, Dr. Melissa Badowski, Dr. Sharon See, and Dr. Steven L. West, who began their first term with the BPS Board of Directors on January 1, 2026. A special thank you to past board members 2025 Chair Dr. Gary C. Yee, 2024 Chair Dr. Cyrine Haidar, and Dr. Marie E. Michnich for their invaluable contributions and commitment to BPS!
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to advancing pharmacy practice in 2026! The achievements of 2025 would not have been possible without the dedication of our board, specialty councils, committees, volunteer leaders, and staff. We deeply appreciate your contributions and partnership, and look forward to an exciting year!