Washington, D.C. – The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is accepting applications from Board-Certified Pain Management Pharmacists (BCPMPs) to serve on the BPS Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council for a term beginning in January 2027. Up to three BCPMP positions are available.
“BCPMPs bring critical expertise to the evolving practice of pain management pharmacotherapy, including the safe and effective use of opioid and nonopioid analgesics and multimodal approaches to acute and chronic pain. Serving on the Specialty Council is an opportunity to help shape certification standards and ensure the examination reflects the knowledge and skills pharmacists need to deliver evidence-based pain management care,” said Paige Mathew, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP, current chair of the BPS Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council.
Before submitting an application, applicants should carefully review the qualifications, position duties, responsibilities, time commitments, and all applicable BPS policies outlined in the Call for Applications Information Booklet.
As the 15th specialty area recognized by BPS, the BPS Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council is in a transition period during which subject matter experts who do not hold the BCPMP credential will rotate off the council and newly certified BCPMPs will replace them.
BPS Specialty Councils are responsible for:
- Developing standards and requirements for certification and recertification of pharmacists in the specialty area for approval by the BPS Board of Directors;
- Participating in the examination development process by reviewing and approving examination items and assembled forms of the certification examination; and
- Reviewing and approving professional development programs for the recertification of pharmacist specialists.
Application Deadline and Details
BPS must receive all the following items NO LATER THAN Wednesday, November 4, 2026 by 5:00 pm Eastern Time.
- Completed electronic application
- Completed Statement of Interest (300 words or less)
- Current resumé or curriculum vitae
Desired Qualifications
The expertise and practice setting of each applicant are carefully considered to ensure balanced representation on the Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council. Council needs may vary from year to year, and applicants from all backgrounds, including those with education, training, or practice experience outside the United States, are encouraged to apply.
The Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council has identified the priority areas below. These needs are intended to highlight current representation gaps, not discourage applications from individuals with other areas of expertise. BPS values diverse perspectives and welcomes all qualified individuals to apply.
Pain Management Pharmacy Specialty Council (recruiting for up to three BCPMPs).
- Practice Setting: Community Hospital, Hospice
- Subspecialty: Addiction/Substance Use, Chronic Disease Management, Psychiatric/Mental health
Questions can be directed to Sajel Lewis at slewis@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 interprofessional 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 2025, BPS recognized more than 63,400 pharmacist certifications. BPS currently recognizes 17 specialty certification programs.
BPS Media Contact
Alexander Jean-Baptiste
Associate Director, Digital Marketing and Communications
ajeanbaptiste@aphanet.org
(202) 760-3836