What is the difference between a certificate and a certification?
A certificate program is used to train or educate a person in specific knowledge or skills.
A certification program is an independent assessment used to recognize professionals who meet standardized criteria and possess practice-based skills, knowledge, abilities, and experiences.
Some regard a certificate program an opportunity to obtain education and/or training, and a certification program as a way to validate mastery and application of competencies.
The Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy (CCP) defines a certificate program as:
- A non-degree-granting program that provides instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended outcomes. When the certificate program includes an assessment of learning, it is known as an assessment-based certificate program.
Examples include: American Pharmacists Association Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians; the I.C.E. Certificate Program for the Credentialing Specialist; and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Telehealth Certificate Program.
And defines a certification program as:
- A voluntary, nongovernmental process by which an individual is determined by a certification body (an independent third party that handles a certification process) to have successfully completed the requirements of a certification program and who may be identified to the public and other stakeholders as a certificant. Some regulatory bodies use voluntary certification programs to meet licensure or registration requirements.
Examples include: BPS Board Certifications such as Board-Certified Ambulatory Pharmacist (BCACP) or Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS).
More information on the differences between a certificate program and a certification program can be found here: https://www.credentialingexcellence.org/Accreditation/New-to-Accreditation/Certificate-vs-Certification
How do I create a new MyBPS account?
To create a new MyBPS account, a candidate should go to the BPS Website, upper right-hand corner, and visit: http://www.cyzap.com/portal/bps/.
How do I know if my years of practice experience will fulfill the eligibility requirements?
Eligibility criteria varies among specialty areas. BPS Certifications typically follow this framework: four years of practice experience; two years of practice experience and a PGY1 in that specialty area; or a PGY2 in that specialty area.
For practice experience, you must spend at least 50% of your practice time in the specialty area. The BPS Content Outline for that specialty holds more information on what may count for practice experience in that area.
How do I demonstrate my years of practice experience to fulfill the eligibility requirements?
I have two years of experience where I spent 100% of my time in my chosen specialty area. Does this meet the criteria?
No, the number of years of practice experience required for each specialty area represents a minimum requirement. For example, for BCOP certification, 4 years of practice experience with at least 50% of that time each year spent in Oncology pharmacy activities is required. Even if you spend 100% of your time in Oncology pharmacy activities, four years of practice experience is required.
Does BPS partner with external organizations for the application process?
BPS partners with Pearson to provide the examination. BPS does not have any other partnerships for the certification or recertification application process.
BPS partners with professional development program (PDP) providers to provide continuing pharmacy education (CPE) for recertification and the relationship is noted here.
Any organization claiming a relationship with BPS for the application process or providing CPE labeled ‘BPS-approved’ outside of the organizations listed should be reported to BPS immediately.
What is the fee for applicants seeking BPS board certification?
The fee for all first-time applicants for specialty certification is $600 USD.
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.
More information on fees can be found here.
When will I hear if my application is approved?
The processing time for approving applications may take up to 30 calendar days from the day that you applied. If your application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email with instructions on how to schedule your examination.
How do I change my name?
To submit a name change request, you must log in to your MyBPS profile and select the “Name Change” link from the menu section of your home page. You will be required to complete the name change form as well as upload a photocopy of a state or government-issued ID or marriage certificate showing the new name for your request to be processed.
You can request a certificate showing the new name after your name change request has been officially processed.
How do I request testing accommodations?
Candidates are permitted to request testing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and must be requested as part of the application.
Candidates must include verification of the disabling condition from a professional specialist with their application. Candidates must also describe the accommodation they are requesting. If the proper request and documentation is not included in the application, the availability of the accommodation cannot be guaranteed.
More information about applying for ADA accommodations can be found here.