About Continuous Testing
What is continuous testing?
Continuous testing is the opportunity for a candidate to register throughout the year and take a certification or recertification examination at any point during their eligibility period. This differs from BPS’s previous certification and recertification examination structure, in which exams were offered in two windows per year.
Which specialties are offering continuous testing?
| 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* |
What is the timeline for other specialties to move to continuous testing?
The timeline for other examination programs will be announced at least six months before the shift to continuous testing. BPS aims to transition two to four specialties per year from windowed administration to continuous administration. New specialties will begin with windows-based testing and will move to a continuous testing model. While this transition takes place, all examinations will be available each year.
What are the differences between windowed and continuous testing?
The application process for windowed testing and the application process for continuous testing vary slightly. Below is a process chart to demonstrate the difference for candidates applying for certification and recertification examinations in the two testing modes.
How will the shift to continuous testing impact my specialty recertification by examination?
Continuous testing means that a candidate will be able to test anytime throughout the year instead of the existing structure of two testing windows. For recertification by examination, a candidate will need to achieve a passing score on the recertification examination by December 31 of their recertification year. BPS recommends pursuing an examination early in the recertification year so if a passing score is not achieved, there is time to retake the examination.
How will the shift to continuous testing impact my specialty recertification by continuing education?
Continuous testing will not have an impact on a certificant completing their recertification by the continuing pharmacy education (CPE) option. For recertification by CPE, a candidate must submit their recertification application and fee by the deadline of their recertification year, and complete their specialty’s CPE requirement by December 31 of their recertification year. Continuous testing means that a candidate will be able to take the recertification examination anytime throughout the year instead of the existing structure of two testing windows. For recertification by exam, a candidate must submit their recertification application and fee by the deadline of their recertification year and achieve a passing score by December 31 of their recertification year.
Continuous Testing Exam Registration
When can a candidate register for a continuously available exam?
For specialty certification examinations administered via the continuously available testing format, pharmacists may register at any point in the year.
How long will it take for BPS to review my application?
After an applicant submits their registration application, BPS will review it within 30 calendar days.
Should I submit an application before requesting transcripts from my University?
For specialties in continuous testing, applications submitted without a transcript will not be reviewed and approved until the transcript has been received directly from the candidate’s school. The 30-day review timeline will not begin until we receive your transcript.
For specialties in windowed testing, please review the candidates guide for applicable information.
After my application is approved, when can I schedule my certification examination?
From the date of application approval, a candidate may schedule their examination session at any time within the 90 calendar days following their application approval.
Can a candidate who is registered for a given administration window opt to defer and be rescheduled to continuous offering?
Yes, a candidate registered for an examination in a specialty in the continuous testing model can request to reschedule from the window-based test to the continuous test format, assuming that specialty is or will be available continuously that calendar year. To do so, please reach out through the contact us page on the BPS website.
Continuous Testing Exam Format and Administration
How many items will be on the continuously offered exams?
All BPS examinations will consist of 150 items.
How much time will be allotted for the 150 item initial certification examinations?
The administration time allotted for the 150-item initial certification examinations, including examination introduction, tutorial, and 150 exam items will be 3 hours and 45 minutes. There is no change in administration time for recertification examinations.
Will there be a break during my specialty examination in the continuous testing model?
There is no scheduled break during a test in the continuously available testing model.
Candidates may choose to take a 10-minute unscheduled break and have the time deducted from their examination period. In unscheduled breaks, the candidate is required to notify the proctor and wait for confirmation before leaving the examination area. Failure to inform the proctor prior to taking an unscheduled break or failure to return on time will result in a termination of the examination. Upon return, a full security scan will be conducted prior to resuming exam.
Is moving from 175 examination items to 150 making the test “easier” or less rigorous? Why is this change being made?
This will not lessen the rigor of the examination. BPS examinations maintain a high standard with a more focused set of examination items. Statistical analysis has determined that BPS can achieve adequate content coverage and reliability of exam scores with this small decrease in the number of examination items. The shorter examination will also create scheduling flexibility for candidates.
Are BPS examinations updated to reflect guideline changes?
New regulations, drugs, and therapies are continually incorporated into the examination content. All BPS specialty certification examinations reflect current, best practice guidelines. Examinations are assembled months prior to the administration date so they may not always reflect all the changes that may have occurred in pharmacy practice during that time. Furthermore, great care is taken to exclude from the examination any content associated with rapidly evolving or emerging practice changes. When in doubt, refer to pharmacy practice guidelines as they were about 6 to 12 months prior to the examination administration date. Official United States Adopted Name (USAN) generic names are used on all BPS examinations for all drug products.
How long will it take for BPS to review my examination session?
Beginning January 2026, BPS will provide an immediate preliminary score report following examination sessions in the continuously available format. Examinees will see on screen whether they achieved a pass or fail outcome immediately upon completion of the test session. Examinees can expect to access their official score report on their MyBPS account within forty-five (45) calendar days after the date of the test session.
What is the policy for retaking a certification examination?
If a candidate does not pass their certification examination, they may request to retake the examination. Once approved for the retake examination, a candidate’s 200-calendar day eligibility period is renewed. A candidate may schedule their retake examination session any time within the following 200 calendar days.
There is a mandatory 90 calendar day period between the last examination session and the date of the scheduled retake examination.
How many retake attempts do I have for a certification examination?
A candidate is allowed a total of three certification examination attempts, which includes the first certification examination attempt and two retake examination attempts. Once approved for the retake examination, a candidate’s 200-calendar day eligibility period is renewed.
If a candidate does not achieve a passing score after three attempts, they must wait 12 months from the last testing attempt to begin the process and register again. For more information about certification examination applications, visit the BPS Candidate’s guide.
Score Reporting
When can a candidate expect to receive their score report?
Beginning January 2026, BPS will provide an immediate preliminary score report following examination sessions in the continuously available format. Examinees will see on screen whether they achieved a pass or fail outcome immediately upon completion of the test session. Examinees can expect to access their official score report on their MyBPS account within forty-five (45) calendar days after the date of the test session.
When will the certification become active?
Upon achieving a passing score on the certification examination, the certification becomes active the first day of the following month.
When will a successful candidate receive a physical copy of their certificate?
Physical certificates are mailed approximately 90 calendar days after a candidate receives their passing score. Physical certificates are automatically sent and do not need to be requested.
When will a successful candidate receive a BPS digital badge?
Digital badges are sent within 90 calendar days after a candidate receives their passing score. Digital badges are automatically sent and do not need to be requested.