Information in this FAQ section is applicable to certificants with certification cycles beginning January 1, 2023, or earlier.
Recertification Application
How do I recertify?
The following items must be completed by December 31 of the recertification year:
- Submit a recertification application and $400 fee. The annual maintenance fee is not required in a recertification year (year 7), but you must be up-to-date on your payment(s) to submit a recertification application.
- Complete the required CPE or pass the recertification exam.
- Upload an active pharmacist license/registration to your recertification application.
When will the recertification application be available?
The recertification application will be available in your MyBPS profile the first week of January in your recertification year (year 7).
You can access the application by clicking the ‘Recertify’ link located in the recertification section of your MyBPS portal home page.
When is the recertification application deadline?
The recertification application deadline is in August of the recertification year (Year 7).
For more information, review the upcoming deadlines, dates, and fees webpage.
Can I submit a recertification application if I haven’t completed all CPE?
If recertifying by continuing pharmacy education (CPE), the application can be submitted prior to completion of the required CPE. Make sure to choose the ‘Honor CE’ route in your recertification application.
Can I submit a recertification application by exam after the October 15 exam deadline?
No. With incomplete CPE, the only option available in the recertification application after October 15 is the ‘Honor CE’ route.
If you plan to submit an extension request, select the ‘Honor CE’ route in your recertification application. You can choose the exam route in your extension request. The final route will be determined by your extension request.
How do I recertify?
The following items must be completed by December 31 of the recertification year:
- Submit a recertification application and $400 fee. The annual maintenance fee is not required in a recertification year (year 7), but you must be up-to-date on your payment(s) to submit a recertification application.
- Complete the required CPE or pass the recertification exam.
- Upload an active pharmacist license/registration to your recertification application.
When will the recertification application be available?
The recertification application will be available in your MyBPS profile the first week of January in your recertification year (year 7).
You can access the application by clicking the ‘Recertify’ link located in the recertification section of your MyBPS portal home page.
When is the recertification application deadline?
The recertification application deadline is in August of the recertification year (Year 7).
For more information, review the upcoming deadlines, dates, and fees webpage.
Can I submit a recertification application if I haven’t completed all CPE?
If recertifying by continuing pharmacy education (CPE), the application can be submitted prior to completion of the required CPE. Make sure to choose the ‘Honor CE’ route in your recertification application.
Can I submit a recertification application by exam after the October 15 exam deadline?
No. With incomplete CPE, the only option available in the recertification application after October 15 is the ‘Honor CE’ route.
If you plan to submit an extension request, select the ‘Honor CE’ route in your recertification application. You can choose the exam route in your extension request. The final route will be determined by your extension request.
Recertification by CPE
Why aren’t my CPE units showing up in my MyBPS account?
Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) is reported in real-time by BPS-approved professional development program (AKA recertification) CPE providers. The organization from which you purchased the CPE is your best resource for timely reporting of activities.
If there is a delay in the reporting, verify that you’ve completed all the CPE provider’s requirements to earn BPS recertification CPE. BPS also recommends confirming that your BPS-IND, credential number, and email address match in both the CPE provider’s system and MyBPS.
When can a newly certified pharmacist begin earning recertification units?
Once receiving a passing score, a candidate’s certification is active immediately. However, a newly certified pharmacist must wait until January 1 of the following calendar year to begin earning CPE or self-reporting CPD activities.
(E.g., candidates certified Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025 will not be able to earn CPE or self-report CPD until Jan. 1, 2026)
Where can I find CPE that count towards my recertification?
Find BPS approved program providers by specialty with direct links to course schedules here.
The Pharmacy Learning Assistance Network (P.L.A.N.®) is a continuing pharmacy education information service provided to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
Can CPE carry over to a new certification cycle?
CPE earned in excess of the recertification requirement will not be applied forward to the next certification cycle. CPE must be earned in the year (and therefore cycle) for which it is recorded.
Recertification by Examination
After my recertification application is approved, when can I schedule my recertification examination?
Once your recertification application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. You must schedule and sit for the exam within the eligibility dates specified in the ATT. If you do not receive your ATT, please contact BPS recertification staff immediately.
Candidates must sit for the recertification examination by October 15 to ensure a score is issued by December 31.
How do I retake the recertification exam?
If you fail to achieve a passing score on the exam, retaking the examination is permitted within the recertification year and/or in an approved extension year. You may apply for a retake examination and pay the discounted fee of $200 USD by clicking the ‘Apply for Retake’ link in the system message of your MyBPS portal home page.
Examinees will be allowed up to two retake examinations (three attempts total). Following each attempt, there is a 90-day washout period, after which candidates have a maximum of 90 calendar days to schedule their next attempt.
After my recertification application is approved, when can I schedule my recertification examination?
Once your recertification application is approved, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email. You must schedule and sit for the exam within the eligibility dates specified in the ATT. If you do not receive your ATT, please contact BPS recertification staff immediately.
Candidates must sit for the recertification examination by October 15 to ensure a score is issued by December 31.
How do I retake the recertification exam?
If you fail to achieve a passing score on the exam, retaking the examination is permitted within the recertification year and/or in an approved extension year. You may apply for a retake examination and pay the discounted fee of $200 USD by clicking the ‘Apply for Retake’ link in the system message of your MyBPS portal home page.
Examinees will be allowed up to two retake examinations (three attempts total). Following each attempt, there is a 90-day washout period, after which candidates have a maximum of 90 calendar days to schedule their next attempt.
Extension Requests
How do I submit an extension request?
Submitting a recertification application is the first step in requesting an extension. If you haven’t yet submitted a recertification application, follow the steps outlined in the Recertification Guide. The recertification application must be submitted and approved before you can request an extension.
Once your recertification application is submitted and approved, locate the recertification section on your MyBPS portal home page and click the ‘Request Extension’ link.
Note: You may receive a one-year, one-time extension at the sole discretion of BPS.
A step-by-step video explaining the extension request process can be found here. This short video describes the extension request process for board-certified pharmacists unable to complete recertification requirements by December 31 of their recertification year.
Is the annual fee required in an extension year?
If you are granted an extension year, you must pay the $125 USD annual certification maintenance fee in year 8 (the extension year).
How do I submit an extension request?
Submitting a recertification application is the first step in requesting an extension. If you haven’t yet submitted a recertification application, follow the steps outlined in the Recertification Guide. The recertification application must be submitted and approved before you can request an extension.
Once your recertification application is submitted and approved, locate the recertification section on your MyBPS portal home page and click the ‘Request Extension’ link.
Note: You may receive a one-year, one-time extension at the sole discretion of BPS.
A step-by-step video explaining the extension request process can be found here. This short video describes the extension request process for board-certified pharmacists unable to complete recertification requirements by December 31 of their recertification year.
Is the annual fee required in an extension year?
If you are granted an extension year, you must pay the $125 USD annual certification maintenance fee in year 8 (the extension year).
Additional Information
When will my cycle information (including “Valid until” date) be updated?
Once all recertification requirements are completed, your new cycle information will be updated the first week of January of the following year.
If your employer requests confirmation of successful recertification, please provide the email sent by BPS upon successful recertification, which provides the new cycle dates and proof of recertification.
If you or your employer need further assistance, please contact us.
How can I confirm that I have completed my recertification?
You have successfully completed your recertification if you receive a congratulations email from info@bpsweb.org that includes information about your next cycle. Additionally, the following statuses in the recertification section of your MyBPS portal home page indicate successful recertification:
- CE Complete – Pending Cycle
- Pass CT – Pending Cycle
- Extension CE Completed
- Extn CT Exam Passed
What is my recertification fee used for?
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.
Additional Resources for Recertification
Use these resources to guide your recertification planning and submission steps.
Extension Request Process
- Step-by-step walkthrough
- Key tips for a successful submission
CPE Providers
Use this listing to assist you with identifying BPS-approved professional development program providers that offer recertification activities for your specialty certification.
Existing and New Recertification Framework
Use this document to better understand the differences between the CPE and CPD recertification frameworks.
How to Complete Recertification
Use this guide with important steps and reminders to assist you with achieving successful completion of recertification requirements.
Year 7 Recertification Checklist
Use this checklist to recertify by examination or continuing pharmacy education (CPE) in year 7, your recertification year.
When will my cycle information (including “Valid until” date) be updated?
Once all recertification requirements are completed, your new cycle information will be updated the first week of January of the following year.
If your employer requests confirmation of successful recertification, please provide the email sent by BPS upon successful recertification, which provides the new cycle dates and proof of recertification.
If you or your employer need further assistance, please contact us.
How can I confirm that I have completed my recertification?
You have successfully completed your recertification if you receive a congratulations email from info@bpsweb.org that includes information about your next cycle. Additionally, the following statuses in the recertification section of your MyBPS portal home page indicate successful recertification:
- CE Complete – Pending Cycle
- Pass CT – Pending Cycle
- Extension CE Completed
- Extn CT Exam Passed
What is my recertification fee used for?
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.
Additional Resources for Recertification
Use these resources to guide your recertification planning and submission steps.
Extension Request Process
- Step-by-step walkthrough
- Key tips for a successful submission
CPE Providers
Use this listing to assist you with identifying BPS-approved professional development program providers that offer recertification activities for your specialty certification.
Existing and New Recertification Framework
Use this document to better understand the differences between the CPE and CPD recertification frameworks.
How to Complete Recertification
Use this guide with important steps and reminders to assist you with achieving successful completion of recertification requirements.
Year 7 Recertification Checklist
Use this checklist to recertify by examination or continuing pharmacy education (CPE) in year 7, your recertification year.