What Does BPS Board Certification Mean?
Obtaining BPS Board Certification is a significant professional achievement. Not all pharmacists are board certified, and those who hold board certification who are:
- Skilled and Knowledgeable: They have demonstrated advanced expertise beyond the basic requirements for practicing as a pharmacist.
- Experts in Their Specialty: Whether in oncology, cardiology, infectious diseases, or another specialty practice area, they bring focused knowledge to patient care.
- Meeting a Higher Standard: Through rigorous exams, continuing education, and professional accountability, board-certified pharmacists maintain excellence in practice.
BPS Board Certification tells patients, caregivers, and providers that a pharmacist has gone above and beyond to ensure the safest and most effective care possible.
Ways BPS Certification Helps Patients
BPS Board-Certified Pharmacists are trusted partners in health care. Their certification directly benefits patients by helping to ensure:
- Fewer Medication Errors: Board-certified pharmacists apply specialized knowledge to catch potential drug interactions or dosing problems.
- Optimized Therapy: They tailor treatment plans to individual needs, helping patients achieve the best possible results.
- Reduced Complications: Board-certified Pharmacists are trained to anticipate and prevent problems before they may occur.
Maintaining a BPS Certification also means a board-certified pharmacist passed an independent evaluation of competence from BPS, they are committed to upholding ethical standards, and they will pursue ongoing professional development through the recertification process set by BPS.
Patient Testimonials
Why it Matters for Patients
When choosing or working with a pharmacist, here are steps you can take to involve a board-certified pharmacist:
- Verify Certification
- You can check if your pharmacist is board certified through this BPS tool: Find a Board-Certified Pharmacist
- Ask the Right Questions
- Is the pharmacist board certified? If so, which specialty?
- How does their board certification benefit my care?
- What additional expertise can they provide compared to a non-certified pharmacist?
Knowing your pharmacist maintains their board certification can give you greater confidence that your care is in expert hands.
Patient Resources
BPS Ambassador Videos
The BPS Ambassadors program aims to showcase BPS Board-Certified Pharmacists that are advancing practice in their communities and improving patient care. Each ambassador shares their unique perspective on the value of BPS Board Certification within their testimonial video below.
Leadership Blog Posts for Patients
The BPS Leadership Blog is an opportunity for spokespersons across pharmacy to share their thoughts and experiences with board certification, motivating BPS audiences to pursue, obtain, and maintain board certification within their career. Below are a few hand-picked blogs addressing topics relevant for patients.
Research into BPS Board Certification
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties has gathered the many research projects and articles into BPS Board Certification to demonstrate the value patients, pharmacists, and hospitals may receive from board certification. Click the button below to view the library of publications about pharmacist board certification.
Find a Board-Certified Pharmacist Near You
to begin the conversation about pharmacist certification!