Admission Documents
The candidate must present a valid government-issued photo identification (ID) with signature. Candidates will be required to sign in and will be instructed where to store personal items and where to keep identification. The candidate’s identity will be verified every time he/she enters or leaves the testing room.
Candidates will not be permitted to enter the exam room unless proper identification as described above is presented. The candidate’s name as it appears on the confirmation email must match the candidate’s name as it appears on government issued photo identification.
Examination Format
There are 175 questions on each BPS specialty certification examination. Four-option multiple-choice questions constitute the majority of examination items; however, most of the specialty examinations also use alternate item types such as multiple choice, multiple-correct response, drag and drop, and items supplemented with images and videos. Each question is carefully written, referenced, and validated to determine its accuracy and applicability. New regulations, drugs, and therapies are incorporated annually into the examinations.
All BPS specialty certification examinations reflect current, best practices, at the time they are constructed – practice guidelines used for the Spring examination are those that are current as of January 1 of the testing year and practice guidelines for the Fall examination are those that are current as of July 1 of the testing year. Official United States Adopted Name (USAN) generic names are used on all BPS examinations for all drug products, when possible.
ALL examinations will be administered via computer-based format.
Administration of the Examination
Examination Schedule for Windows Testing Specialties is as follows:
- Certification candidates will be provided timed examination periods, outlined here:
- Examination Part 1 (100 items): 2.5 hour testing period
- Optional break: up to 30 minutes
- Examination Part 2 (75 items): 1 hour, 53 minute testing period
- Recertification candidates will be allowed a 2.5-hour examination period to complete the 100-item recertification examination.
Examination Schedule for Continuous Testing Specialties is as follows:
- Certification Examination (150 items): 3 hours, 45 minute testing period
- Recertification Examination (150 items): 3 hours, 45 minute testing period
Note: For continuous testing, there are no scheduled breaks offered during certification or recertification examinations.
Once the candidate has been checked-in, they will be escorted by testing staff to a workstation. The candidate must remain at the workstation unless authorized to leave by test center staff. Candidates may not leave the room without test center staff permission. If the candidate leaves the testing room without permission prior to completing their examination, they will forfeit the testing appointment and there will be no refund of testing fees.
Test center staff will provide the candidate with an erasable note board and pen, which may be replaced as needed during the test. The candidate may not remove the note boards or pens, and candidates are not allowed to use their own scratch paper or writing tools.
Use of Calculators
Candidates taking the computer-based examination will be provided with a calculator available on their computer screen for use during the examination. Outside calculators are not permitted.
Examination Day
Before you take your examination, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with Prometric’s online examination delivery process by clicking here.
