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Certified Public Health Pharmacist (CPHP)
Official Examination Content Outline
This document provides the official content outline for the Certified Public Health Pharmacist (CPHP) examination. This future-ready blueprint certifies that a pharmacist possesses the advanced, performance-based competencies to lead public health initiatives, applying expertise in epidemiology, health equity, digital health, and policy to improve the health of entire populations.
Examination Specifications
| Name of Credential | Certified Public Health Pharmacist (CPHP) |
|---|---|
| Certification-Issuing Body | The Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) |
| Designation Awarded | CPHP |
| Target Population | Pharmacists working in public health departments, government agencies, health systems, and academia. |
| Examination Length | 120 multiple-choice items |
| Administration Time | 3.0 hours |
Examination Content Outline
The CPHP examination is weighted according to the five domains listed below, which cover the core functions of public health and the unique role of the pharmacist as a leader in improving community health outcomes through evidence-based, equitable, and innovative practice.
| Domain 1: Public Health Principles and Epidemiology | 20% |
| Domain 2: Health Protection and Disease Prevention | 20% |
| Domain 3: Public Health Preparedness and Response | 20% |
| Domain 4: Policy, Advocacy, and Program Management | 20% |
| Domain 5: Global Health, Health Equity, and Digital Epidemiology | 20% |
Domain 1: Public Health Principles and Epidemiology (20%)
Task 1: Apply epidemiological and biostatistical methods to critically appraise and analyze population health data.
- Calculate and interpret measures of disease frequency (e.g., incidence, prevalence) and association (e.g., relative risk, odds ratios).
- Critically appraise the public health literature, evaluating study design, statistical methods, and conclusions.
- Assess the impact of bias, confounding, and effect modification on study results.
- Interpret statistical analyses, including p-values and confidence intervals, from public health literature.
- Apply the criteria for causality to evaluate the evidence linking an exposure to a health outcome.
Task 2: Design and conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA).
- Synthesize quantitative data from public sources (e.g., vital statistics, BRFSS) to characterize a community's health status.
- Gather qualitative data through methods like focus groups and key informant interviews to understand community perspectives.
- Analyze data to identify and prioritize a community's health needs and assets.
- Engage a diverse group of community stakeholders throughout the assessment process.
- Translate CHNA findings into a community health improvement plan (CHIP).
Task 3: Manage public health surveillance systems to monitor health trends.
- Differentiate between active, passive, and syndromic surveillance systems.
- Analyze surveillance data to detect disease outbreaks and monitor long-term trends.
- Utilize pharmacy-specific data sources, such as prescription dispensing data (PDMP), EHR, pharmacy claims, and immunization registries, for surveillance.
- Manage the reporting of notifiable diseases and adverse drug events to the appropriate health authorities.
- Evaluate the performance and attributes of a public health surveillance system.
Task 4: Apply public health law and ethics to practice.
- Analyze the legal basis for public health actions, including the balance between individual rights and community protection.
- Apply ethical principles, such as social justice and health equity, to public health decision-making.
- Manage the legal and ethical requirements for data privacy and confidentiality in public health (e.g., HIPAA).
- Evaluate the ethical considerations of resource allocation during public health emergencies.
- Navigate potential conflicts of interest in public health partnerships and programs.
Task 5: Use biostatistics and informatics for pharmacy-driven public health research.
- Formulate a research question and select an appropriate study design to address a public health problem.
- Design data collection instruments and protocols for public health research.
- Analyze research data using appropriate statistical methods.
- Interpret research findings and translate them into recommendations for practice or policy.
- Disseminate research findings through presentations, publications, and reports.
Task 6: Evaluate environmental health risks and their impact on population health.
- Assess the impact of environmental exposures (e.g., air pollution, contaminated water, climate change) on health outcomes.
- Identify vulnerable populations that are disproportionately affected by environmental health hazards.
- Develop risk communication messages to inform the public about environmental health threats.
- Advocate for policies that promote environmental justice and a healthy, sustainable environment.
- Collaborate with environmental health agencies to address community concerns.
Domain 2: Health Protection and Disease Prevention (20%)
Task 1: Design and manage community-wide immunization programs to improve population immunity.
- Apply ACIP recommendations to develop and implement vaccination campaigns across the lifespan.
- Manage vaccine logistics, including cold chain maintenance, storage, and inventory control.
- Lead the operational planning and execution of mass vaccination clinics (e.g., influenza, COVID-19).
- Utilize state immunization information systems (IIS) to track vaccination coverage and identify gaps.
- Develop targeted, culturally competent strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and increase uptake in underserved populations.
Task 2: Implement antimicrobial stewardship programs in community and public health settings.
- Apply principles of antimicrobial stewardship to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics in outpatient settings.
- Analyze local and national antimicrobial resistance patterns to inform prescribing recommendations.
- Develop and disseminate evidence-based treatment guidelines for common infections.
- Educate providers and the public on the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
- Collaborate with public health departments to track and respond to outbreaks of resistant organisms.
Task 3: Design and implement population-based screening and prevention programs.
- Apply evidence-based guidelines to design screening programs for chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes) and infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, HCV).
- Develop a robust referral pathway to link individuals with abnormal screening results to definitive diagnosis and care.
- Design and implement comprehensive harm reduction strategies, including naloxone distribution, syringe service programs, and support for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission.
- Design interventions to promote tobacco cessation at a population level.
- Evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of prevention programs.
Task 4: Develop and disseminate health education and promotion campaigns.
- Apply health behavior theories to design effective health promotion interventions.
- Create culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials that adhere to health literacy principles.
- Select appropriate communication channels to reach diverse target audiences.
- Develop social marketing campaigns to influence health behaviors and social norms.
- Evaluate the reach, effectiveness, and impact of health promotion campaigns.
Task 5: Manage population-level interventions for chronic disease prevention and control.
- Implement evidence-based programs, such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), at a community level.
- Design interventions to improve cardiovascular health across a population (e.g., hypertension control programs).
- Utilize population health data to identify and engage high-risk individuals.
- Promote self-management education and support for people with chronic conditions.
- Collaborate with community partners to create environments that support healthy behaviors.
Task 6: Lead interprofessional collaborations to advance health promotion and disease prevention goals.
- Partner with physicians, nurses, and community health workers to deliver team-based preventive care.
- Collaborate with schools, worksites, and community organizations to implement health promotion initiatives.
- Build coalitions to advocate for policies that support health and well-being.
- Train other healthcare professionals and community members to be effective health advocates.
- Serve as a medication expert on interdisciplinary public health task forces and committees.
Domain 3: Public Health Preparedness and Response (20%)
Task 1: Design pharmacy-specific and community-wide emergency preparedness and response plans.
- Apply an all-hazards approach to develop plans for various public health emergencies.
- Integrate pharmacy services into local, state, and federal emergency response frameworks.
- Design plans for ensuring continuity of pharmacy operations and patient care during a disaster.
- Apply the principles of the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage emergency response activities.
- Develop specific protocols to address the needs of medically vulnerable populations during emergencies.
Task 2: Manage the pharmaceutical supply chain and medical countermeasures (MCMs) during an emergency.
- Design and manage the operational workflow of a Point of Dispensing (POD) site for mass prophylaxis or vaccination.
- Coordinate with public health agencies to manage the request, receipt, and emergency distribution of assets from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).
- Ensure the security, integrity, and proper storage of MCMs in a chaotic environment.
- Develop strategies to ensure continuity of medication access for chronic conditions during a disaster (e.g., emergency refill policies).
- Collaborate with supply chain partners to mitigate drug shortages and distribution challenges.
Task 3: Apply clinical and toxicological principles to manage CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) events.
- Assess the signs and symptoms of exposure to high-priority CBRN agents.
- Select and manage the appropriate pharmaceutical countermeasures for prophylaxis and treatment.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on MCMs for the public, first responders, and other healthcare professionals.
- Develop protocols for the safe handling and administration of MCMs.
- Participate in the surveillance and detection of a potential CBRN event.
Task 4: Manage risk communication and public information during a health crisis.
- Apply principles of crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) to develop clear and empathetic messages.
- Collaborate with a Joint Information Center (JIC) to ensure consistent public messaging.
- Develop strategies to rapidly combat health-related misinformation and disinformation.
- Tailor communication to meet the cultural, linguistic, and accessibility needs of diverse communities.
- Serve as a trusted source of medication and public health information for the media and the public.
Task 5: Design and evaluate emergency preparedness drills and exercises.
- Apply the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) framework to exercise design.
- Develop pharmacy-specific objectives and scenarios for inclusion in broader public health exercises.
- Serve in a leadership role (e.g., controller, evaluator) during a functional or full-scale exercise.
- Analyze exercise performance to produce an After-Action Report (AAR) and Improvement Plan (IP).
- Implement changes to emergency plans and procedures based on lessons learned from exercises.
Task 6: Manage the mental and behavioral health response for communities and responders.
- Assess the potential mental health impacts of a public health emergency on the community.
- Implement Psychological First Aid (PFA) principles in interactions with the public and staff.
- Develop strategies to promote resilience and mitigate burnout among response personnel.
- Ensure access to mental health resources for affected community members.
- Collaborate with mental health professionals to integrate behavioral health support into the overall response.
Domain 4: Policy, Advocacy, and Program Management (20%)
Task 1: Design, implement, and evaluate pharmacy-led population health programs.
- Apply the principles of program planning, implementation, and evaluation (PIE).
- Develop a program logic model to guide planning and evaluation.
- Create a detailed program budget and manage financial resources effectively.
- Evaluate the health economics, cost-effectiveness, and return on investment (ROI) of pharmacist-led programs.
- Design a robust evaluation plan to measure the process, impact, and outcomes of a program.
Task 2: Analyze the impact of public policy on pharmacy practice and population health.
- Evaluate how federal, state, and local policies affect health outcomes and disparities.
- Assess the impact of health system and payment reform on the delivery of public health services.
- Analyze the intended and unintended consequences of policies related to medication access and affordability.
- Translate policy analysis into actionable recommendations for organizational or community strategy.
- Monitor the legislative and regulatory landscape for emerging issues and opportunities.
Task 3: Lead advocacy efforts to advance public health and the role of pharmacy.
- Develop a strategic advocacy plan to influence policy and resource allocation decisions.
- Build and lead coalitions with diverse stakeholders to amplify advocacy messages.
- Communicate effectively with policymakers, providing expert testimony and policy briefs.
- Engage in grassroots advocacy to mobilize community members and other health professionals.
- Utilize media advocacy to shape public opinion and the policy agenda.
Task 4: Secure grant funding and other resources for public health initiatives.
- Identify and assess funding opportunities from governmental agencies and private foundations.
- Write competitive grant proposals that include a compelling needs statement, clear objectives, and a sound evaluation plan.
- Develop and justify a detailed budget for a grant application.
- Manage grant-funded projects, ensuring compliance with all funder requirements.
- Develop a diversified funding strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of programs.
Task 5: Lead and manage a diverse public health workforce.
- Apply principles of leadership, strategic planning, and systems thinking to public health practice.
- Manage interprofessional teams to achieve shared public health goals.
- Develop and implement training programs for pharmacists, students, and other public health professionals.
- Mentor the next generation of public health pharmacy leaders.
- Foster a culture of quality improvement and lifelong learning within a public health organization.
Task 6: Communicate public health data and information to diverse stakeholders.
- Translate complex scientific information into clear, accessible messages for the public.
- Develop data visualizations and reports to communicate health trends to policymakers.
- Present public health information to community groups to empower local action.
- Collaborate with communication specialists and the media to ensure accurate reporting.
- Tailor communication strategies to the specific needs of different cultural and linguistic groups.
Domain 5: Global Health, Health Equity, and Digital Epidemiology (20%)
Task 1: Design public health interventions that address health disparities and the social determinants of health (SDOH).
- Analyze population health data to identify and quantify health disparities.
- Assess the impact of SDOH (e.g., housing, education, economic stability) on medication access and health outcomes.
- Design interventions that address the root causes of health inequities.
- Partner with community-based organizations to address the social needs of patients and communities.
- Advocate for policies that promote health equity and social justice.
Task 2: Apply principles of cultural competence to public health pharmacy practice.
- Assess the cultural beliefs, values, and practices of a target population to ensure interventions are respectful and relevant.
- Develop culturally and linguistically appropriate health education and outreach materials.
- Adapt clinical services and programs to meet the unique needs of diverse communities.
- Recruit and train a diverse workforce that reflects the community being served.
- Evaluate programs for their cultural appropriateness and impact on health disparities.
Task 3: Utilize health informatics and real-world data for population health management.
- Analyze large datasets (e.g., EHR, pharmacy claims, surveillance data) to identify population health trends and risks.
- Apply principles of clinical informatics to design and optimize population health interventions.
- Use geographic information systems (GIS) to map health data and identify geographic hotspots of disease.
- Evaluate the quality and limitations of different sources of real-world data.
- Ensure the ethical use of data and protection of patient privacy in all informatics activities.
Task 4: Evaluate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital epidemiology tools.
- Assess the potential applications of AI and machine learning in public health surveillance (e.g., predicting overdose hotspots or infectious disease waves).
- Apply digital therapeutics and mobile health (mHealth) applications in the design of public health pharmacy interventions.
- Utilize digital tools (e.g., social media, mobile apps) for health promotion and disease surveillance.
- Analyze the impact of digital health technologies on health equity and the digital divide.
- Evaluate the validity and ethical implications of predictive models used in public health.
Task 5: Contribute to global health initiatives and pandemic preparedness.
- Analyze the role of pharmacists in strengthening global health security.
- Contribute to efforts to ensure access to essential medicines in low- and middle-income countries.
- Apply lessons learned from global pandemics to improve local, national, and international preparedness.
- Contribute to global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and stewardship efforts.
- Collaborate with international organizations (e.g., WHO, FIP) on global health initiatives.
Task 6: Lead initiatives to improve health equity in medication use.
- Design programs to overcome barriers to medication access and adherence in underserved populations.
- Analyze medication use data to identify disparities in prescribing or outcomes among different demographic groups.
- Advocate for equitable benefit design and formulary policies that do not disadvantage vulnerable populations.
- Develop partnerships with community health workers and other trusted messengers to improve medication literacy.
- Evaluate the impact of all pharmacy programs on health equity.
