Licensed pharmacists are also encouraged to become board certified once they have gained adequate clinical experience. Board certification is a way of demonstrating to society that an individual possesses a certain high level of expertise. It signifies that an individual pharmacy specialist possesses a body of knowledge and skill in addition to that of a general practitioner. Thus, patients are able to identify practitioners who can satisfy special needs. For pharmacy professionals, board certification may yield the additional benefits of personal satisfaction, financial rewards, and career advancement. Click here for answers to FAQs regarding board certification.
Currently, the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) recognizes eight specialty areas of pharmacy:
- Ambulatory Care
- Critical Care Pharmacy
- Nuclear Pharmacy
- Nutrition Support Pharmacy
- Oncology Pharmacy
- Pediatric Pharmacy
- Pharmacotherapy
- Psychiatric Pharmacy
For more information, please visit the Board of Pharmacy Specialties at http://www.bpsweb.org/Home.html.
ACCP also offers BPS-approved recertification professional development programs for three of the specialties: Oncology Pharmacy (in conjunction with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association), Pharmacotherapy, and Ambulatory Care Pharmacy.
ACCP Efforts to Expand Pharmacy Specialty Recognition
ACCP has established a web page to help members learn more about the specialist recognition process and to track the College’s progress toward achieving recognition of new clinical pharmacy specialties.
BPS Brochures
BPS Guides
BPS guides provide information on certification examinations and recertification requirements for each of the recognized specialties. For other BPS guides and additional information, visit the BPS Web site at www.bpsweb.org.