Geriatric Pharmacy Specialty Certification (BCGP)
Target Population: Pharmacists who have met the eligibility criteria and who assess, design, implement, monitor, modify, and advise on pharmacotherapeutic treatments and protocols for older adults.
Program Purpose: To validate that the pharmacist has the advanced knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to optimize safety and outcomes for older adults.
Currently, there are more than 4,600 BPS Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacists.
Geriatric Pharmacy Specialty Council Members
The purpose of the BPS Specialty Councils is to develop standards and eligibility requirements for board certification, develop examinations and passing standards for certification, and review and approve professional development programs for recertification of board-certified pharmacists. Specialty council members are at the heart of the peer-reviewed and peer-developed nature of BPS Board Certification.
PhD, BPharm, Dip Proj Manage, BCPP, BCGP, FSHP, FASCP
PharmD, BCPS, AE-C, FCCP, FAPhA, FASHP
Alderman has long-standing experience in hospital and community pharmacy, aged-care, and as Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice at the Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, University of South Australia. He holds certifications as a specialist clinical pharmacist in psychiatry and geriatrics with the US Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties. He is a past president of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia and is a frequently sought speaker at national and international conferences, educational seminars, and symposia. His research interests focus on achieving safe and effective use of psychotropic drugs, and the prevention of drug-related harm amongst vulnerable people.
Dennis Williams is an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy and a Clinical Specialist at UNC Medical Center. His practice focuses in the areas of pulmonary and infectious diseases. Dennis obtained his B.S. in Pharmacy and Pharm.D. degrees from the University of Kentucky. He is recognized as a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, American Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. He has been a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist since 1991 and served on the Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Specialty Council in the past.
Brunetti is currently an Associate Professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and a Clinical Specialist in Internal Medicine at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset. He received his PharmD at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 2006 and a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in epidemiology at the School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Brunetti is dual Board-Certified in Pharmacotherapy and Geriatric Pharmacy. His research interests include drug dosing in special populations and the influence of cardiometabolic disease on drug response.
Charles has worked as a hospital clinical pharmacy specialist (Geriatrics) and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Health Sciences at Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (TSUCOPHS). She received her BS in Biology from Dillard University and earned her PharmD from TSUCOPHS. She completed her PGY1 pharmacy practice residency at St. Claire Medical Center in Morehead, KY. Her research and scholarly interests include inappropriate medication use in the elderly, management of geriatric syndromes and initiatives aimed at closing health disparity gaps in minority communities.
Collins is currently an acute care internal medicine pharmacist at Yale New Haven Hospital. There she serves as the PGY2 Residency Program Coordinator for Medication Use Safety and Policy and the Lead Pharmacy Safety Coach. Prior to joining YNHH she practiced as a long-term care consultant pharmacist for eight years. She earned her PharmD from Northeastern University and completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Emshoff is a Professor in Pharmacy Practice for Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Palliative Care and Pain Management at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center. She received her BS in Biology and PharmD from Ohio Northern University and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice residency at The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy. Dr. Emshoff maintains Board Certification in both Pharmacotherapy and Geriatric Pharmacy. Her practice focuses on optimizing quality of life through interprofessional symptom management for patients with chronic pain or life limiting illnesses.
Donna M. Lisi, PharmD, BS Pharmacy, BCPS, BCGP, BCACP, BCPP, BCMTMS completed her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from St. John’s University in New York and a post-doctoral fellowship in Geriatric Pharmacy at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Dr. Lisi has worked in academia, long term care, acute care, behavioral health, hospice, and medical communications. She has held faculty appointments both in the classroom and remotely and has taught medical and allied health disciplines. She is a preceptor for the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutger’s University and for St.John’s University. She is an accomplished medical writer and reviewer for numerous professional journals. She is an active member of numerous professional societies and serves on committees for the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.
Dr. Mimi Lo is a hematology/oncology/blood and marrow transplant (BMT) clinical pharmacist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center and serves as an associate clinical professor at the UCSF School of Pharmacy. She is Board Certified in Pharmacotherapy and Oncology Pharmacy. Dr. Lo received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Purdue University College of Pharmacy. She completed her pharmacy practice residency and a specialty residency in oncology at UW Medicine in Seattle, WA. Currently, she specializes in malignant hematologic diseases, blood and marrow transplantation, and immune effector cell (IEC) therapy. Her practice site includes both the acute and ambulatory care settings. Her areas of research interest include treatment outcomes in adult malignant hematology/BMT/IEC patients and geriatric oncology. Dr. Lo has previously served on the BPS Oncology Pharmacy Specialty Council.
Dr. Paige Mathew oversees pain management and opioid safety programs for Veterans across Washington DC, Maryland, and West Virginia in her role as Clinical Program Manager in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. She is regularly consulted to lead program implementation efforts throughout the VA, and is a frequent speaker on national presentations related to evidence-based and safe prescribing. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and her PGY1 at the Carl T Hayden VA in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Mathew is dual Board-Certified in both Pharmacotherapy and Geriatric Pharmacy. Her practice focuses on optimizing medication regimens for patients living in rural areas with chronic pain and oncology diagnoses, and connecting them to appropriate non-pharmacologic resources. Her areas of interest include expanding access for opioid use disorder treatment, decreasing disparities in access to care for patients in rural areas, and safe opioid prescribing in elderly and palliative patient populations.
Robertson is a Commander serving in the United States Public Health Service detailed to the Defense Health Agency in Falls Church, Virginia as Deputy Chief of the Purchased Care Branch in the Pharmacy Operations Division. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy and a managed care residency at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Her scholarly interests include health outcomes, pharmacoeconomics and appropriate medication use in the elderly.
Eligibility Requirements
An applicant for board certification in Geriatric Pharmacy must demonstrate all of the eligibility requirements listed below prior to sitting for the initial certification examination. Once all of the requirements below are met, an applicant will be deemed eligible to sit for the Geriatric Pharmacy specialty certification examination. If an applicant achieves a passing score on the Geriatric Pharmacy specialty certification examination, they may use the designation Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, or BCGP.
- Graduation from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) or a program outside the U.S. that qualifies the individual to practice in the jurisdiction.
- A current, active license/registration to practice pharmacy in the U.S. or another jurisdiction.
- Demonstration of practice experience1 in one of the following ways:
- At least four years of Geriatric Pharmacy practice experience1 within the past seven years, with at least 50% of time spent in the scope defined by the exam content outline; or
- Successful completion of PGY1 pharmacy residency2 within the past seven years, plus at least two years of Geriatric Pharmacy practice experience1 with at least 50% of time spent in the scope defined by the exam content outline; or
- Successful completion of PGY2 pharmacy residency in Geriatric Pharmacy within the past seven years.
1All practice experience must be completed post-licensure/registration as a pharmacist. All applicants intending to demonstrate eligibility for any BPS certification examination utilizing the practice experience pathway must provide an attestation from their employer, on company letterhead, that verifies this experience accurately represents at least 50% of time spent in some or all of the activities defined by the applicable certification content outline. In addition, this practice experience must have occurred within the seven years immediately preceding the application. For more information, click here. A sample employer verification letter is available here.
2American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited/candidate status PGY1 pharmacy residency, residencies accredited under the ASHP Accreditation Standard for International Pharmacy Practice Residency Programs, or Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB)-accredited Year 1 pharmacy residency.
The rationale for the appropriateness of the requirements for BPS certification programs are based upon the following:
- BPS recognizes individuals who graduate from a recognized school or college of pharmacy within the candidate’s jurisdiction. Those jurisdictions recognize and evaluate programs on the extent to which it accomplishes its stated goals and is consistent with the concept that pharmacy is a unique, personal service profession in the health science field. In the United States, the responsibility for recognizing schools and colleges of pharmacy falls to the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
- The rationale for requiring licensure or registration of pharmacists within their jurisdiction is based upon the fact that for public protection, all pharmacists must be licensed or registered. This is considered a baseline requirement to be a pharmacist specialist. In the United States, BPS recognizes the licensure process administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) aims to ensure the public’s health and safety through its pharmacist license transfer and pharmacist competence assessment programs. NABP’s member boards of pharmacy are grouped into eight districts that include all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and all 10 Canadian provinces.
- The experiential component is required to help assure practical application of components of the specialty knowledge being certified. There are multiple pathways to meet the practice experience requirement. The faster eligibility pathways recognize accredited residencies through the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). The ASHP residency accreditation program identifies and grants public recognition to practice sites having pharmacy residency training programs that have been evaluated and found to meet the qualifications of one of the ASHP’s residency accreditations standards. Thus, accreditation of a pharmacy residency program provides a means of assurance to residency applicants that a program meets certain basic requirements and is, therefore, an acceptable site for postgraduate training in pharmacy practice in organized health care.
- Passing the BPS pharmacy specialty examination helps assure knowledge consistent with the validated content outline for the BPS specialty.
The appropriateness of the BPS program requirements are consistent with the Council on Credentialing in Pharmacy’s Resource Paper titled: Scope of Contemporary Pharmacy Practice: Roles, Responsibilities, and Functions of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
Upcoming Deadlines
Individuals who meet the eligibility requirements for the BCGP examination can find more information about examination dates and fees for certification examinations here.
Candidate's Guide
The Candidate’s Guide is intended for use by pharmacists who are interested in becoming certified as specialists by BPS in any of the BPS-recognized specialty practice areas. To review critical information for BPS Certification Examinations, visit this page.
Content Outline for BCGP
For the Fall 2023 Examination, refer to the Geriatric Pharmacy Content Outline in the BCGP Examination Specification document for details.
For the 2024 Examinations and forward, refer to the Geriatric Pharmacy Content Outline found here for details.
Important Resources
Preparatory Courses for BCGP Examinations
Certification is a significant differentiator, and the rigorous exam process requires concentrated study. Successful candidates are well prepared, and a number of available resources can assist pre-qualified applicants.
Suggested preparation for the examination might include:
- The study of journal articles, textbooks or other publications related to the Content Outline.
- Attendance at continuing education programs and courses in specialized pharmacy practice.
- Participation in study groups and examination preparation courses.
- Reviewing the sample examination items provided on the BPS website in order for candidates to familiarize themselves with the various item formats which are presented on the exam. Sample question performance should not be interpreted as an indicator of exam performance.
To maintain its strict, independent standards for certification, BPS does NOT provide review information, preparatory courses, or study guides. However, such materials are available from outside organizations, state or local professional associations and colleges of pharmacy. Potential applicants may contact the professional associations noted below for additional study resources.
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties provides the following program listing for informational purposes. This list is not an exhaustive list of options available for examination preparation. BPS does not endorse or provide preparatory courses for Board Certification Examinations.
Geriatric Pharmacy
- American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
(703) 739-1300
https://www.ascp.com/page/BCGP - American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
(913) 492-3311
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
(866) 279-0681
https://www.rxcertifications.org/Geriatric/Certification-Preparation
BPS partners with Prometric 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 education (CE) for recertification and the relationship is noted here. Any organization claiming a relationship with BPS for the application process or providing CE labeled ‘BPS-approved’ outside of the organizations listed should be reported to BPS immediately.
Certification for Applicants Outside the U.S.
BPS would like to offer some helpful tips to candidates outside of the United States in order to make their application experience easier. To learn more about applying for board certification as a pharmacist outside of the U.S., visit this page.
Apply for ADA Accomodations
BPS complies with the relevant provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For applicants looking to request special accommodations in their application process, more instructions can be found on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
After review of the BPS Candidates Guide and specialty certification page, some applicants may still have questions. Visit this page to see frequently asked questions from pharmacists pursuing board certification like you!
Sample Examination Items
Sample Items for BCGP Examinations
The sample examination items for BCGP examinations are made available by BPS for the purposes of familiarizing certification candidates and other stakeholders with the structure and format of BPS Certification Examinations. This is not meant for use as a self-assessment. Performance on any of these items does not correlate with performance on the actual examination.
The content of these examples is meant to be illustrative of actual examination items, but these items do not appear on the certification examination and are not meant to identify the scope of the examination. For a more comprehensive indication of the scope of the certification examination, please refer to the BCGP Exam Content Outline.
Examination items are in multiple-choice format. The great majority of examination items are multiple-choice with a single response from among four options. Some examinations may include a small percentage of items that require selection of multiple (three or four) responses from among a larger set of available (up to eight) options. Examinations items may also be supplemented by an image.
View the examination items down below.
An elderly woman is a resident at a nursing facility. She has a recent history of stroke and right-sided hemiparesis and is refusing all foods and liquids by mouth. She is aware of her situation and the implications of her actions. The resident has a living will that requests no hospitalizations or invasive procedures. The social worker says that when she was notifying the resident's children, one of them insisted that they find some way to feed and hydrate their mother. What is the most appropriate next step?
Correct!
Incorrect!
When the son goes to work, the patient is left alone without wanting to be. What type of mistreatment is being experienced by the patient?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Correct!
Incorrect!
Current medications include:
Citalopram 20 mg orally daily
Diclofenac 1% gel applied to the right knee twice daily
Doxepin 10 mg orally daily
Omeprazole 20 mg orally daily
Pertinent laboratory values include:
| Ca | 10 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) |
| Mg | 1.4 mg/dL (0.57 mmol/L) |
| K | 5.5 mEq/L (5.5 mmol/L) |
| Na | 126 mEq/L (126 mmol/L) |
Which medication is most likely to contribute to this patient's orthostatic hypotension, memory concerns, and dry mouth?
Correct!
Incorrect!
In an elderly patient, chronic facial reddening and inflammation with skin eruptions similar to acne are signs of which condition?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Current medications are:
Atorvastatin 40 mg daily
Atenolol 50 mg daily
Enalapril 20 mg daily
Temazepam 15 mg every night
Calcium 600 mg twice daily
Cholecalciferol 20 mcg daily
Senna, psyllium, and glycerin suppositories as needed
He was recently diagnosed with dry macular degeneration and increased bilateral intraocular pressure. Severe constipation is documented and an abdominal x-ray reveals fecal impaction. Which initial recommendation is most appropriate?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Correct!
Incorrect!
A 76-year-old resident with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is receiving preventive therapy with warfarin, currently dosed as 4 mg, alternating with 3 mg daily. The INR result for the previous month was reported as 1.8. This month's INR is reported as 1.6. Which action is most appropriate?
Correct!
Incorrect!
An 80-year-old woman presents to a new primary care provider for her first visit. She has a past medical history of hypothyroidism, atrial fibrillation, and insomnia. She has a past surgical history of cataract removal (5 years prior) and total hysterectomy (20 years prior). The patient lives independently and is still cognitively intact and able to complete her activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Which preventive screening is no longer indicated based on the patient's anticipated risk versus benefit?
Correct!
Incorrect!
The data revealed the following:
| Average Blood Pressure | # of Strokes |
| less than or equal to 120/70 mm Hg | 1 |
| 130/80 mm Hg | 3 |
| 140/90 mm Hg | 3 |
| 150/100 mm Hg | 6 |
| greater than or equal to 160/110 mm Hg | 10 |
What can be concluded from the data?
Correct!
Incorrect!
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Recertification Requirements for BCGP
Pharmacists who earn the designation Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist® (BCGP) are required to maintain their certification over a seven-year period by completing one of the following recertification pathways:
Option One: Recertification Examination
- For BCGP with certification beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: Achieve a passing score on the recertification examination administered by BPS.
- For BCGP with certification beginning January 1, 2024 or later: Achieve a passing score on the recertification examination administered by BPS and self-report 20 completed units of continuing professional development (CPD) in MyBPS. For more information on CPD, review the FAQ. To maintain an active certification in good standing, a minimum of two units of BPS-approved, assessed CPE or self-reported CPD must be reported each year.
OR
Option Two: Professional Development Program
- For BCGP with certification beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: recertification via professional development program requires 100 units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs offered by:
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in collaboration with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP),and/or
- The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
- BCGP may participate in recertification from any BPS-approved BCGP programs. The Geriatric Pharmacy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course offered by any of the approved providers may only be completed for recertification credit up to two times, in nonconsecutive years, during the seven-year certification cycle. Please note, the Review and Recertification Course is called the Geriatric Pharmacist Boot Camp by some providers.
- For BCGP with certification beginning January 1, 2024 or later: recertification via professional development program requires 100 units, comprised of 80 units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs offered by:
- The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) in collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and/or
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in collaboration with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and/or
- Tabula Rasa Healthcare University.
- Additionally, 20 units of continuing professional development (CPD) must be completed and self-reported in MyBPS. For more information on CPD, review the FAQ. To maintain an active certification in good standing, a minimum of two units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs or self-reported CPD must be reported each year.
- BCGP may participate in recertification from any BPS-approved BCGP programs. The Geriatric Pharmacy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course offered by any of the approved providers may only be completed for recertification credit up to two times, in nonconsecutive years, during the seven-year certification cycle. Please note, the Review and Recertification Course is called the Geriatric Pharmacist Boot Camp by some providers.
| Year certified/recertified | New cycle start (begin earning recert units) | Cycle expiration (deadline to meet recert reqs) | Units required (PDP = professional development program) |
| 2016 | 1/1/2017 | 12/31/2023 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2017 | 1/1/2018 | 12/31/2024 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2018 | 1/1/2019 | 12/31/2025 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2019 | 1/1/2020 | 12/31/2026 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2020 | 1/1/2021 | 12/31/2027 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2021 | 1/1/2022 | 12/31/2028 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2022 | 1/1/2023 | 12/31/2029 | 100 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP |
| 2023 | 1/1/2024 | 12/31/2030 | 100 units (80 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP + 20 units CPD) |
| 2024 onward | 1/1/2025 onward | 12/31/2031 onward | 100 units (80 units assessed CPE via BPS-approved PDP + 20 units CPD) |
For full details regarding recertification, please refer to the BPS Recertification Guide.
Board–Certified Geriatric Pharmacists® are required to pay the BPS Annual Certification Maintenance Fee of $125 each year for years one through six and the $400 recertification fee in year seven. Individuals with more than one BPS certification are assessed one BPS Annual Certification Maintenance Fee each year.
Upcoming Deadlines
Candidates are required to recertify every 7 years. Certificants must submit their recertification application no later than the deadline of August 4. BPS encourages candidates to submit their recertification application as early as January 1 of their recertification year.
Candidates who intend to recertify via examination should note the availability of the recertification examination and related application deadlines. Candidates recertifying their BCGP credential by examination can find more information about examination dates and fees here.
Candidates who intend to recertify via continuing education (CE) MUST submit their recertification application by the deadline date of August 4 even if they have not completed their CE requirements.
The deadline to complete the required CE for recertification is December 31 for all specialties. The board-certified pharmacist is responsible for submitting an application that is completely and accurately filled out. Incomplete and/or unpaid applications will not be processed.
Recertification Guide
The Recertification Guide is intended for use by candidates renewing their certification. To review critical information for recertifying with the Board of Pharmacy Specialties, visit this page.
CPE Providers
BCGP with certification beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: recertification via professional development program requires 100 units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs offered by:
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in collaboration with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and/or
- The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP).
BCGP may participate in recertification from any BPS-approved BCGP programs. The Geriatric Pharmacy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course offered by any of the approved providers may only be completed for recertification credit up to two times, in nonconsecutive years, during the seven-year certification cycle. Please note, the Review and Recertification Course is called the Geriatric Pharmacist Boot Camp by some providers.
BCGP with certification beginning January 1, 2024 or later: recertification via professional development program requires 100 units, comprised of 80 units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs offered by:
- The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) in collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), and/or
- The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in collaboration with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), and/or
- Tabula Rasa HealthCare University.
Additionally, 20 units of continuing professional development (CPD) must be completed and self-reported in MyBPS. For more information on CPD, review the FAQ. To maintain an active certification in good standing, a minimum of two units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs or self-reported CPD must be reported each year.
BCGP may participate in recertification from any BPS-approved BCGP programs. The Geriatric Pharmacy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course offered by any of the approved providers may only be completed for recertification credit up to two times, in nonconsecutive years, during the seven-year certification cycle. Please note, the Review and Recertification Course is called the Geriatric Pharmacist Boot Camp by some providers.
Content Outline for BCGP
For the Fall 2023 Examination, refer to the Geriatric Pharmacy Content Outline in the BCGP Examination Specification document for details.
For the 2024 Examinations and forward, refer to the Geriatric Pharmacy Content Outline found here for details.
Important Resources
Apply for ADA Accomodations
BPS complies with the relevant provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For applicants looking to request special accommodations in their application process, more instructions can be found on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
After review of the BPS Recertification Guide and specialty page, some applicants may still have questions. Visit this page to see frequently asked questions from pharmacists renewing their board certification like you!
Sample Examination Items
Sample Items for BCGP Examinations
The sample examination items for BCGP examinations are made available by BPS for the purposes of familiarizing certification candidates and other stakeholders with the structure and format of BPS certification examinations. This is not meant for use as a self-assessment. Performance on any of these items does not correlate with performance on the actual examination.
The content of these examples is meant to be illustrative of actual examination items, but these items do not appear on the certification examination and are not meant to identify the scope of the examination. For a more comprehensive indication of the scope of the recertification examination, please refer to the BCGP Exam Content Outline.
Examination items are in multiple-choice format. The great majority of examination items are multiple-choice with a single response from among four options. Some examinations may include a small percentage of items that require selection of multiple (three or four) responses from among a larger set of available (up to eight) options. Examinations items may also be supplemented by an image.
View the examination items down below.
An elderly woman is a resident at a nursing facility. She has a recent history of stroke and right-sided hemiparesis and is refusing all foods and liquids by mouth. She is aware of her situation and the implications of her actions. The resident has a living will that requests no hospitalizations or invasive procedures. The social worker says that when she was notifying the resident's children, one of them insisted that they find some way to feed and hydrate their mother. What is the most appropriate next step?
Correct!
Incorrect!
When the son goes to work, the patient is left alone without wanting to be. What type of mistreatment is being experienced by the patient?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Correct!
Incorrect!
Current medications include:
Citalopram 20 mg orally daily
Diclofenac 1% gel applied to the right knee twice daily
Doxepin 10 mg orally daily
Omeprazole 20 mg orally daily
Pertinent laboratory values include:
| Ca | 10 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) |
| Mg | 1.4 mg/dL (0.57 mmol/L) |
| K | 5.5 mEq/L (5.5 mmol/L) |
| Na | 126 mEq/L (126 mmol/L) |
Which medication is most likely to contribute to this patient's orthostatic hypotension, memory concerns, and dry mouth?
Correct!
Incorrect!
In an elderly patient, chronic facial reddening and inflammation with skin eruptions similar to acne are signs of which condition?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Current medications are:
Atorvastatin 40 mg daily
Atenolol 50 mg daily
Enalapril 20 mg daily
Temazepam 15 mg every night
Calcium 600 mg twice daily
Cholecalciferol 20 mcg daily
Senna, psyllium, and glycerin suppositories as needed
He was recently diagnosed with dry macular degeneration and increased bilateral intraocular pressure. Severe constipation is documented and an abdominal x-ray reveals fecal impaction. Which initial recommendation is most appropriate?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Correct!
Incorrect!
A 76-year-old resident with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is receiving preventive therapy with warfarin, currently dosed as 4 mg, alternating with 3 mg daily. The INR result for the previous month was reported as 1.8. This month's INR is reported as 1.6. Which action is most appropriate?
Correct!
Incorrect!
An 80-year-old woman presents to a new primary care provider for her first visit. She has a past medical history of hypothyroidism, atrial fibrillation, and insomnia. She has a past surgical history of cataract removal (5 years prior) and total hysterectomy (20 years prior). The patient lives independently and is still cognitively intact and able to complete her activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Which preventive screening is no longer indicated based on the patient's anticipated risk versus benefit?
Correct!
Incorrect!
The data revealed the following:
| Average Blood Pressure | # of Strokes |
| less than or equal to 120/70 mm Hg | 1 |
| 130/80 mm Hg | 3 |
| 140/90 mm Hg | 3 |
| 150/100 mm Hg | 6 |
| greater than or equal to 160/110 mm Hg | 10 |
What can be concluded from the data?
Correct!
Incorrect!
Share the quiz to show your results !
Subscribe to see your results
I got %%score%% of %%total%% right
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Certification Verification
BPS offers the ability to search and verify a Board-Certified Pharmacist by name or credential number.
