BPS Windowed Examination Administration
|
September 2026 Examination Window Cardiology Pharmacy (BCCP) • Pain Management Pharmacy (BCPMP) |
|
|---|---|
| Registration Dates | Testing Dates |
| February 8, 2026 – August 17, 2026 | September 1, 2026 – September 21, 2026 |
BPS Continuous Testing Examination Administration
| Specialty Area | Continuous Testing Registration Dates |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP) Cardiology Pharmacy (BCCP)** Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacy (BCSCP) Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP) Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP) Emergency Medicine Pharmacy (BCEMP) Infectious Diseases Pharmacy (BCIDP) Nuclear Pharmacy (BCNP) Nutrition Support Pharmacy (BCNSP) Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) Pediatric Pharmacy (BCPPS) Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy (BCTXP) | Exam Registration is Currently Available Candidates have 90 days to schedule their exam after receiving their Authorization to Test (ATT). |
*In order to help ensure the greatest probability that candidates receive their preferred test date and site, BPS recommends registering as early as possible. Recertification examination candidates must sit for the recertification examination by October 15 to ensure a score is issued by December 31 and avoid a lapse in certification.
**BCCP continuous testing is available through March 31, 2026. Registration for the limited continuous testing cycle closed on February 7, 2026. Candidates may also choose to test during the September 1–21, 2026 testing window (registration available February 8–August 17, 2026). Candidates who test during the Q1 2026 continuous testing period and do not pass may plan to retake the examination during the September testing window, subject to eligibility requirements.
If a candidate requires accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the request should be submitted as part of their application.
Fees
Certification Application Fees
Certification application fees are as follows:
- The fee for first-time applicants for specialty certification is $600 USD.
- The certification examination retake application fee is $300 USD. Only candidates who have failed the certification exam within the past year are eligible for this $300 USD reduced rate.
Recertification Application Deadline Fees
- The 2026 recertification application deadline is August 17, 2026.
Recertification application fees are as follows:
- The recertification application fee is $400 USD.
- The recertification examination retake application fee is $200 USD.
Examination Withdrawal Policy
- For details on the certification examination withdrawal policy, visit the Candidate’s Guide.
- For details on the recertification examination withdrawal policy, visit the Recertification Guide.
Examination Cancellation Policy
Certification and recertification examination candidates may cancel or reschedule a certification or recertification examination up to five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled examination appointment.
Cancellation/Rescheduling fees will be charged as follows:
- Cancellation/reschedule 30 or more days prior to appointment: No Fee
- Cancellation/reschedule 5-29 days prior to your appointment: $60 USD fee
- Cancellation/reschedule is not allowed within 5 days of your appointment
Annual Certification Maintenance Fee
All BPS-certified pharmacists are required to pay a $125 USD annual certification maintenance fee during year 1 through year 6 of the certification cycle. This fee is not required in year 7 (the recertification year). When paying the annual certification maintenance fee, board-certified pharmacists must attest to holding a current, active license/registration to practice pharmacy.
Certificants, including those holding more than one certification, are required to submit the $400 USD recertification fee for each specialty along with their recertification application in year 7. If a certificant is granted an extension year, they must pay the $125 USD annual certification maintenance fee in year 8 (the extension year). Pharmacists holding more than one BPS certification pay only one annual certification maintenance fee. Multi-certified pharmacists in a recertification year who do not request an official delist or submit a recertification application are required to pay the annual certification maintenance fee for any remaining active credential(s).
A payment notification will be sent to each certificant via email annually in May (including in year 1), and payment is due by July 1.
Failure to pay the annual fee by July 1 results in a change in certification status, which will be reflected on the certificant’s digital badge and in the public Find a Board-Certified Pharmacist directory.
Additionally, a $5 USD late fee will be applied. Once outstanding fees are paid, the certification status in the directory will update to Active within 72 hours. For more information, refer to the section titled Status of BPS Certification.
Note: Before applying for recertification in year 7 or for a new specialty certification, all outstanding fees must be paid. Certificates cannot be ordered until all fees are settled.
For more information regarding the annual certification maintenance fee, click here.
Use of BPS Fees
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) collects fees related to the following: certification applications, maintenance of certification, and recertification applications. These fees support the BPS mission by funding the critical infrastructure and operations necessary to uphold the high standard of pharmacist board certification and ensure that board certification remains a credible, professionally meaningful, and globally recognized credential.
Collected fees support the ongoing development of examination content for each certification program to ensure the relevancy, validity, and defensibility of each BPS Certification. Fees are also used to maintain an office space in Washington, D.C., employ dedicated customer support representatives and staff, and facilitate examination delivery globally. Tools such as the BPS Website, the Find a Board-Certified Pharmacist Database, and the MyBPS platform are maintained through this funding, alongside the engagement of subject matter expert volunteers, specialty council members, professional committees, and the BPS Board of Directors.
Fees support essential legislative and regulatory work that protects and promotes the value of certification. Additionally, collected fees are used to fund the BPS Research Seed Grant and BPS and FIP Foundation Research Grant which support investigator’s research into BPS Board Certification in the U.S. and internationally.
To pay your annual certification maintenance fee, please log into your MyBPS account.
For more information regarding the maintenance of certification, click here.
All fees are subject to change at the sole discretion of the Board. For a full list of fees, review the BPS Candidate’s Guide or Recertification Guide.
This page provides essential information for pharmacy professionals regarding upcoming certification and recertification timelines, exam windows, fees, and important policies. Whether you’re preparing to apply, ready to renew your certification, or if you need details on withdrawal procedures, you’ll find everything you need organized by topic for easy reference.
Examination Schedule
BPS Windowed Examination Administration
| September 2026 Examination Window Pain Management Pharmacy (BCPMP) | |
| Registration Dates | Testing Dates |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2026 – July 24, 2026 | September 1, 2026 – September 21, 2026 |
BPS Continuous Testing Examination Administration
| Specialty Area | Continuous Testing Registration Dates |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP) Cardiology Pharmacy (BCCP) Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacy (BCSCP) Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP) Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP) Emergency Medicine Pharmacy (BCEMP) Infectious Diseases Pharmacy (BCIDP) Nuclear Pharmacy (BCNP) Nutrition Support Pharmacy (BCNSP) Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP) Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) Pediatric Pharmacy (BCPPS) Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP) Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy (BCTXP) |
Exam Registration is Currently Available* |
*In order to help ensure the greatest probability that candidates receive their preferred test date and site, BPS recommends registering as early as possible.
Recertification examination candidates must sit for the recertification examination by October 15 to ensure a score is issued by December 31 and avoid a lapse in certification.
**If a candidate requires accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the request should be submitted as part of their application.
Certification and Recertification Fees
Annual maintenance fees are due by July 1, 2026.
Recertification applications are due by August 17, 2026.
Late submissions may result in lapse of certification.
| Fee Type | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| First-time Certification Exam | $600 |
| Certification Retake Exam | $300 The reduced retake rate is only eligible to candidates who have failed the certification exam within the past year. |
| Annual Maintenance Fee Due July 1, 2026 | $125 |
| Recertification Application Fee (Examination or CPE/CPD) Due August 17, 2026 | $400 |
| Recertification Exam Retake Fee | $200 |
To pay your annual certification maintenance fee, please log into your MyBPS account.
For more information regarding the maintenance of certification, click here.
All fees are subject to change at the sole discretion of the Board. For a full list of fees, review the BPS Candidate’s Guide or Recertification Guide.
About the Annual Certification Maintenance Fee
All BPS-certified pharmacists are required to pay a $125 USD annual certification maintenance fee during year 1 through year 6. The annual certification maintenance fee is not required in year 7 (the recertification year) of a certification cycle. When paying the annual certification maintenance fee, board-certified pharmacists must attest to holding a current, active license/registration to practice pharmacy.
Certificants, including those holding more than one certification, are required to submit the $400 USD recertification fee along with their recertification application in year 7 (the recertification year) for each specialty. If a certificant is granted an extension year, they must pay the $125 USD annual certification maintenance fee in year 8 (the extension year).
A payment notification will be sent to each certificant via email annually in May (including in year 1). Payment is due by July 1. Pharmacists holding more than one BPS Certification will only pay one annual certification maintenance fee.
Multi-certified pharmacists in a recertification year who do not request an official delist or submit a recertification application are required to pay the annual certification maintenance fee for the remaining active credential(s).
Failure to pay the annual fee by July 1 results in a change in certification status, which will be displayed on the certificant’s digital badge and on the public Find a Board-Certified Pharmacist directory. Additionally, a $5 USD late fee will be applied. Once outstanding fees have been paid, your certification status will appear as “Active” on the board-certified pharmacist search within 72 hours. For more information, refer to the section of the BPS Candidate’s Guide titled “Status of BPS Certification”.
Before applying for recertification in year 7 or for new specialty certification, all outstanding fees must be paid.
Exam Withdrawal and Cancellation Policies
Examination Withdrawal Policy
- For details on the certification examination withdrawal policy, visit the Candidate’s Guide.
- For details on the recertification examination withdrawal policy, visit the Recertification Guide.
Examination Cancellation Policy
Certification and recertification examination candidates may cancel or reschedule a certification or recertification examination up to five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled examination appointment.
Cancellation/Rescheduling fees will be charged as follows:
- 30 or more days prior to appointment: No fee collected by Pearson.
- 5-29 days prior to appointment: $60 USD fee collected by Pearson.
- Less than 5 days prior to appointment: no cancel/reschedule will be allowed. Your full test fee will be retained by BPS.
Use of BPS Fees
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) collects fees related to the following: certification applications, maintenance of certification, and recertification applications. These fees support the BPS mission by funding the critical infrastructure and operations necessary to uphold the high standard of pharmacist board certification and ensure that board certification remains a credible, professionally meaningful, and globally recognized credential.
Collected fees support the ongoing development of examination content for each certification program to ensure the relevancy, validity, and defensibility of each BPS Certification. Fees are also used to maintain an office space in Washington, D.C., employ dedicated customer support representatives and staff, and facilitate examination delivery globally. Tools such as the BPS Website, the Find a Board-Certified Pharmacist Database, and the MyBPS platform are maintained through this funding, alongside the engagement of subject matter expert volunteers, specialty council members, professional committees, and the BPS Board of Directors.
Fees support essential legislative and regulatory work that protects and promotes the value of certification. Additionally, collected fees are used to fund the BPS Research Seed Grant and BPS and FIP Foundation Research Grant which support investigator’s research into BPS Board Certification in the U.S. and internationally.