Washington, D.C. – The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) announces a temporary moratorium on the request for new specialty certification programs, effective May 21, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
During this time, BPS will conduct a comprehensive internal review of the process for recognizing new specialty certification programs. Findings will inform recommendations for potential updates to the processes used to evaluate and establish new specialties.
“Placing a temporary pause on evaluating new specialty requests will allow BPS to take a thoughtful, data‑informed approach to re-evaluating the processes for recognizing emerging areas of practice and establishing relevant certification programs. The goal is to ensure that the recognition process remains transparent, rigorous, and responsive to the profession’s evolution,” said Brian E. Lawson, PharmD, ICE-CCP, BPS Executive Director.
BPS will continue to explore Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmacogenomics, as noted in the Current Exploratory Specialties and Status Updates here.
The BPS Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that the establishment of new specialty certification programs and the portfolio of existing certification programs continue to align with the evolving needs of the profession and the public.
Since 2016, BPS has approved eight specialty certification programs, bringing the total to 16 by January 2026. These additions include Emergency Medicine Pharmacy, Pain Management Pharmacy, and Pharmacy Informatics, which was approved as the 16th specialty in December 2025.
The internal review will evaluate the current specialty certification development process.
BPS will share updates in late 2027 prior to the conclusion of the moratorium.
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 2025, BPS recognized more than 63,400 pharmacist certifications across 16 specialties.
BPS Media Contact
Kate McKenna
Manager, Communications and Engagement
Kmckenna@aphanet.org