What is PSAP?
The Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) is a series of 11 home-study books published by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). PSAP books are organized by practice area such as Cardiology or Pediatrics. One book is released every 3 months (in January, April, July, and October). Each book has two or three modules with accompanying self-assessment tests that can be taken for continuing pharmacy education credit.
The continuing education credit earned by completing the PSAP modules is approved by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS) as an acceptable professional development program for Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) recertification.
How do I use PSAP for my BCPS recertification?
BPS requires board-certified pharmacotherapy specialists to recertify every 7 years. This is done either by (1) sitting for an examination or (2) earning 120 continuing pharmacy education credits from an approved professional development program. This process is described on the BPS Web site (www.bpsweb.org).
To be eligible to earn continuing education credits towards BCPS recertification using the PSAP books, you must take the test modules within the first 3 months after a book is released. At the end of 3 months, a passing point is set for each test module, and certificates of BCPS credit are sent out for scores above the passing grade.
How many BCPS credits do I need to recertify? When should I start taking PSAP?
The recertification period is 7 years; you must earn 120 BCPS credits during this period. The 7-year period starts the year after you certify or last recertify. A table showing this schedule is available at http://www.bpsweb.org/pdfs/BPS_PSAP_Recertification.pdf. You may earn no more than 60 of these credits during the first 4 years of the recertification period. The remaining 60 to 120 hours may be earned during the last 3 years, but specialists are encouraged to schedule modules so that they are not caught short on December 31 of their recertification year.
How can I find out how many credits I have?
You can print out a report of your continuing education credit at any time. Go the the ACCP Web page and click on CE Center (www.accp.com/ce). Sign in to your ACCP account using your e-mail address and password. To view or print your statement of credit, scroll to the bottom of the CE Center page and click the “Print Statements of Credit” link. After you complete the requested information and click “Submit”, your statement of continuing education credit will open in a new window.
How do I get started with PSAP?
Purchase a single book or the entire 11-book series through the ACCP Web site. Books can be purchased as hard copy, in online format, or as a combination of the two. To see the book titles, sample chapters, release dates, and number of credit hours available, as well as the prices, visit the ACCP Bookstore.
How do I take PSAP tests?
First, read the PSAP chapters that make up a test module. Each chapter has learning objectives, tables and figures, and an annotated bibliography containing additional information for answering the questions.
Second, go online and answer all the questions in the module before 11:59 PM (Central Time) on the BCPS test deadline date. Tests must be submitted in full before the deadline; no credit is given for partially completed tests. Full test instructions are on the first page of every print and online book. You may take one module or all the available modules in a PSAP book. You may also take some books in the series and skip others.
How will I know if I pass a test?
If your score on a test module is above the passing point, a statement of continuing pharmacy education credit will be mailed to you within 60 days. ACCP also reports these credits to BPS. Each spring, test takers receive a summary of the BCPS credits they earned through PSAP. ACCP also sends this yearly summary to BPS in January. At any time, you can e-mail ACCP and ask for a statement of your credits.
I took the BCPS exam in October; when can I expect the results?
If you took the BPS Certification Exam, you will get your results from BPS in early December. If results have not been received by that time, you may contact the Board of Pharmaceuticals Specialties at (202) 429-7591.
Do I automatically get my BCPS recertification?
No; ACCP will record and report the BCPS credits you earn through PSAP to BPS after each test and every January. The actual recertification is handled by BPS (see the BPS Web site at http://www.bpsweb.org/05_Recertification.html). If you feel BPS does not have an accurate list of your credits, contact us.
Will the current PSAP series have enough credit hours for me to recertify?
Each 11-book edition of PSAP will provide a minimum of 120 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit toward recertification. Consult the publication schedule on the ACCP Bookstore Web page for the credits (contact hours) available for each published PSAP book and the upcoming modules scheduled for publication. The credits vary from book to book and cannot be determined until a book is ready for publication.
How do I get the test answers?
The explained answers to each test module are posted online. To see them, you must either (1) complete the test module OR (2) submit a form permanently waiving your right to take that test for credit.
- If you took the online test, return to the ACCP Online Education Center, log in, and select the test module you have completed. After the first question, you will see a hyperlink to a PDF file with the answers.
- If you don’t want to take the test for credit, go to the ACCP Online Education Center, log in, and select the test module you wish to waive. Click on “Waivers” and follow the directions. Waiver statements will be processed and mailed within 10 business days of receiving a waiver form. The only exception to this 10-day processing is during the 3-month period after the book is published.
Can older editions of PSAP be used to recertify?
No. Only the newest PSAP book has BCPS credits available that apply to recertification. Three months after a book is released, scores are collected, and the passing point is set. After this time, the book does not carry any available BCPS credits.
However, the book still can be used for continuing pharmacy education credit only. To receive continuing pharmacy education credit, an online test must be submitted. Go to the ACCP Online Education Center, log in, and choose the ACPE version of the test module you wish to take.
Can I use PSAP to prepare for the BPS Specialty Examination in Pharmacotherapy?
PSAP is not recommended as a tool to prepare for this exam. PSAP does not have textbook-type chapters; they cover only the most recent 3–5 years of information on a topic and purposefully assume a baseline level of knowledge. Because it is designed to be an ongoing professional development tool, the series is written for the reader with several years of clinical experience.
The recommended tool to prepare for the BCPS board exam is the ACCP Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Course.
Can I share my book?
Only one person can take a PSAP module for credit. If the PSAP product was not assigned to you at purchase, you will not be able to access the tests or answers or earn credits.
Can I return my PSAP product?
If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return all materials within 30 days for a refund. Please contact ACCP to obtain authorization before returning an item. Online products cannot be returned. All items must be in good condition and acceptable for resale. Customers will be responsible for shipping charges for items returned. Materials should be shipped to:
Richardson Printing
Attention: Sharon Headrick
1490 Southern Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64120-1122