
Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Specialty Certification (BCTXP)
Target Population: Pharmacists who evaluate and provide pharmacotherapy to patients who are donors, candidates, or recipients of solid organ transplants.
Program Purpose: To validate that the pharmacist has the advanced knowledge, skills, and experience to optimize outcomes by managing complex medication regimens for patients who are donors, candidates, or recipients of solid organ transplants.
Currently there are more than 280 BPS Board-Certified Transplant Pharmacists.
Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy 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.

PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS

PharmD, BCPS, BCTXP










Benefield is the Pharmacy Clinical Programs Manager at Seattle Children’s Hospital overseeing the pediatric pharmacy solid organ transplant team and other clinical pharmacy service lines. After receiving her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy from Washington State University, she completed both her PGY1 pharmacy residency and PGY2 pediatric pharmacy residency at the University of Oklahoma. Benefield previously practiced as a pediatric solid organ transplant clinical pharmacist.

Leick is the Pharmacist Program Coordinator for Solid Organ Transplantation at Nebraska Medicine and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy. She also serves as a Pharmacist Specialist for hepatology and adult liver transplantation. Leick received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Practice and PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant residencies at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina.

Anders is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Abdominal Transplant at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Purdue University and completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at Rush University Medical Center (previously Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke’s Medical Center). In addition to her eleven years of experience with inpatient and ambulatory clinical practices, Anders served as the Program Director for the PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant for seven years, prior to her current role as Supervisor for Transplant Pharmacy Services.

Bernard is a Solid Organ Transplant & Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Pharmacist practicing at the original Mayo Clinic. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Washington State University; PGY1 residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant residency at Houston Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. Bernard has experience working in investigation, regulatory research, and academia at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands. She founded the Solid Organ Transplant PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program in Rochester, MN and is the Residency Program Director. Bernard is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and has received the honor of Associate Appointment for unusually important contributions to the practice, research, and educational activities of Mayo Clinic.

Chandran is a Solid Organ Transplant Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Education with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, with a primary practice in kidney transplant, liver transplant and pancreas transplant ambulatory care, pediatric liver transplant ambulatory care, and pediatric to adult transplant transitions. She currently serves as Course Director for the Solid Organ Transplant elective at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. Chandran has previously practiced as a Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado and as a Solid Organ Transplant Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at University of Maryland Medical Center. She received her PharmD from the University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency and PGY2 solid organ transplant pharmacy residency at University of North Carolina Medical Center.

Fitzgerald is a MSL in Transplantation at Sanofi. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency and PGY2 critical care specialty residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Fitzgerald previously practiced as an adult solid organ transplant pharmacist and served as the Clinical Team Lead of the Transplant Pharmacist team at Michigan Medicine.

Johnson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and practices as a Clinical Specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with focus in abdominal transplantation. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and completed a fellowship in renal transplant pharmacotherapy at Hennepin County Medical Center. Johnson developed transplant pharmacy services and trained numerous pharmacists at the Istituto Mediterraneo per I Trapianti e Terapie ad alta Specialiazzione in Palermo, Italy. She has served previously as Residency Program Director for both Transplant and Pharmacy Residencies.

Khalil is the Xenotransplant Project Manager at NYU Langone Health, where she facilitates and oversees the ongoing xenotransplant research at the institution. She received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Northeastern University in Boston. She completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, MA where her interest in solid organ transplant began. She then completed a PGY2 in Solid Organ Transplant at University of Illinois at Chicago and joined the NYU Langone Health Transplant Team in 2018 where she managed kidney, liver, and pancreas transplant recipients before transitioning into her current role.

Lichvar is currently a Clinical Transplant Pharmacist at the University of California San Diego Health. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in 2013. Lichvar then completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency and a PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy Residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She then went on to complete a Clinical Transplant Pharmacy Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, where she also obtained her Masters of Science in Clinical and Translational Research. Previously, she was a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and an Abdominal Transplant Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System.

Tsapepas is the Program Director of Quality, Education and Research for Solid Organ Transplantation at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgical Sciences at Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She received her Bachelor’s and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. She completed both a PGY1 and PGY2 Solid Organ Transplantation residency at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Her professional interests focus on quality and outcomes improvement through the evaluation of immunosuppressive strategies, medication adherence, and healthcare information technologies.

Waldman is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for the heart and lung transplant centers at Massachusetts General Hospital. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She then completed a PGY1 Acute Care and PGY2 Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Practice Residency at University of California San Diego Health before moving to Boston.
Eligibility Requirements
An applicant for board certification in Solid Organ Transplantation 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 Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy specialty certification examination. If an applicant achieves a passing score on the Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy specialty certification examination, they may use the designation Board-Certified Transplant Pharmacist, or BCTXP.
- 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 three ways:
- At least four years of Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy practice experience after licensure/registration as a pharmacist1 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 Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy practice experience after licensure/registration as a pharmacist1 with at least 50% of time spent in the scope defined by the exam content outline; or
- Successful completion of PGY2 pharmacy residency in Solid Organ Transplantation 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 BCTXP 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 BCTXP
For the Fall 2023 Examination, refer to the Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Content Outline found in the BCTXP Examination Specification document for details.
For the 2024 Examinations and forward, please refer to the Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Content Outline found here for details.
Important Resources
Preparatory Courses for BCTXP 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.
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!
Recertification Requirements for BCTXP
Pharmacists who earn the designation Board-Certified Transplant Pharmacist® (BCTXP) will be required to maintain their certification over a seven-year period by completing one of the following recertification pathways:
Option One: Recertification Examination
- For BCTXP with certification beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: Achieve a passing score on the recertification examination administered by BPS.
- For BCTXP 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 assessed CPE from BPS-approved professional development programs or self-reported CPD must be reported each year.
OR
Option Two: Professional Development Program
- For BCTXP with certification beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: The Board approved a two-year self-reported continuing pharmacy education (CPE) recertification model for Board-Certified Transplant Pharmacists (BCTXP©) to bridge the time between the first specialists being recognized and new recertification options available in 2024.
- As part of this transition plan, successful completion of any ACPE-accredited CPE activities that align with the Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Specialty content outline can be used towards recertification. Certificants must self-report at least five units, but no more than 15 units annually during the transition window (1/1/2022 to 12/31/2023).
- Self-reported CPE activities must align with the BCTXP Content Outline.
- To self-report your CPE, you will need to click the “Report CE” link available on your MyBPS profile dashboard. Please note that by submitting self-selected solid organ transplantation CPE credits, certificants are attesting that all information submitted is accurate, true, and in compliance with BPS requirements, as described on the BPS website and within the BPS Recertification Guide. Self-selected solid organ transplantation CPE records are subject to random audit and certificants with deficiencies noted in their record are subject to penalty, which may include the disqualification of some or all self-reported CPE activities and/or suspension or revocation of certification.
- Following the two-year transition window, BCTXP must follow the recertification requirements below during the remainder of their certification cycle (January 1, 2024 through their recertification year).
- For BCTXP 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 College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) in collaboration with the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists (ASHP)
- 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.
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 Transplant 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 BCTXP 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
BCTXP with certification beginning January 1, 2023 or earlier: The Board approved a two-year self-reported continuing pharmacy education (CPE) recertification model for Board-Certified Transplant Pharmacists (BCTXP©) to bridge the time between the first specialists being recognized and new recertification options available in 2024.
As part of this transition plan, successful completion of any ACPE-accredited CPE activities that align with the Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Specialty content outline can be used towards recertification. Certificants must self-report at least five units, but no more than 15 units annually during the transition window (1/1/2022 to 12/31/2023).
Self-reported CPE activities must align with the BCTXP Content Outline to be accepted.
To self-report your CPE, you will need to click the “Report CE” link available on your MyBPS profile dashboard. Please note that by submitting self-selected solid organ transplantation CPE credits, certificants are attesting that all information submitted is accurate, true, and in compliance with BPS requirements, as described on the BPS website and within the BPS Recertification Guide. Self-selected solid organ transplantation CPE records are subject to random audit and certificants with deficiencies noted in their record are subject to penalty, which may include the disqualification of some or all self-reported CPE activities and/or suspension or revocation of certification.
Following the two-year transition window, BCTXP must follow the recertification requirements below during the remainder of their certification cycle (January 1, 2024 through their recertification year).
BCTXP 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:
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.
Content Outline for BCTXP
For the Fall 2023 Examination, refer to the Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy Content Outline found in the BCTXP Examination Specification document for details.
For the 2024 Examinations and forward, please refer to the Solid Organ Transplantation 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!
Certification Verification
BPS offers the ability to search and verify a Board-Certified Pharmacist by name or credential number.