Now Available: The Clinical Care Specialties Portfolio

The role of the pharmacist has undergone a profound and necessary evolution. No longer confined to the dispensary, the modern pharmacist is a cornerstone of the interdisciplinary care team, a direct patient care provider, and a clinical decision-maker on the front lines of managing complex, chronic diseases. As our healthcare system grapples with an aging population and the rising prevalence of multifaceted health conditions, the advanced clinical expertise of the pharmacist has become more indispensable than ever. It is a role that demands recognition, a standard that deserves to be validated, and a level of practice that merits a new benchmark of excellence.

To champion this evolution and to formally recognize the pharmacists practicing at the highest level of their license, the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) is proud to announce the launch of the Clinical Care Specialties Portfolio. This is a new suite of five rigorous, advanced certification programs designed for pharmacists who have dedicated their careers to managing some of the most complex and vulnerable patient populations.

This landmark portfolio includes:

• Certified Cardiometabolic Care Pharmacist (CCCP)

• Certified Pain Management Pharmacist (CPMP)

• Certified Renal Pharmacotherapy Specialist (CRPS)

• Certified Pharmacist in Substance Use Disorders (CPSUD)

• Certified Behavioral Health Pharmacist (CBHP)

The launch of this portfolio is our definitive statement on the future of the profession—a future that is clinical, collaborative, and critical to improving patient outcomes on a national scale.

Meeting the Challenge of Complex Chronic Care

The development of the Clinical Care Specialties Portfolio was a direct and strategic response to the most pressing public health challenges of our time. The interconnected epidemics of cardiovascular disease, the ongoing opioid crisis, and the growing demand for mental and behavioral healthcare require a specialized, integrated clinical response. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide this response, offering accessible, expert-led care that can change the trajectory of these devastating conditions.

This portfolio was conceived to provide the national standard—the clear, defensible benchmark—that identifies the practitioners who possess the advanced knowledge and sophisticated skills necessary to make a tangible impact. These certifications are for the pharmacist who is not just dispensing medications but is actively managing therapy, titrating doses based on clinical data, counseling patients through complex treatment journeys, and collaborating with physicians and other providers to optimize care plans. They are a testament to a level of practice that goes far beyond the foundational, and they provide a clear signal to patients, employers, and the entire healthcare system of a pharmacist’s validated expertise.

An In-Depth Look at the Clinical Care Specialties

Each certification within this portfolio represents a deep dive into a highly specialized area of patient care. They have been developed with input from leading national experts and are built upon comprehensive practice analyses to ensure they are a true reflection of advanced practice.

Certified Cardiometabolic Care Pharmacist (CCCP)

The Clinical Imperative: Cardiometabolic diseases—including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and heart failure—represent the single largest burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Managing these interconnected conditions requires a proactive, evidence-based approach that extends far beyond initial diagnosis and prescribing. The Scope of Practice: The cardiometabolic care pharmacist is a master of guideline-directed medical therapy. They are experts in interpreting lab values, initiating and titrating complex medication regimens (including insulin and newer classes of diabetic and heart failure agents), and empowering patients through intensive lifestyle and self-management education. Who Should Certify: This advanced certification is designed for pharmacists practicing in ambulatory care clinics, patient-centered medical homes, primary care offices, and specialized cardiology or endocrinology practices. Validated Competencies: The CCCP certification validates an expert-level understanding of advanced pharmacotherapy for cardiometabolic conditions. It assesses a candidate’s ability to apply the latest evidence-based guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to complex, real-world patient cases. It affirms a practitioner’s skill in comprehensive patient assessment, therapeutic planning, and ongoing monitoring to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.

Certified Pain Management Pharmacist (CPMP)

The Clinical Imperative: The management of chronic pain is one of the most challenging tightropes to walk in modern medicine. It requires a sophisticated, multimodal approach that provides effective relief to patients while simultaneously mitigating the significant risks associated with opioid analgesics and other controlled substances. The Scope of Practice: The pain management pharmacist is a crucial leader in promoting safe and effective analgesia. They are experts in opioid stewardship, risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS), and the development of patient-specific, multimodal pain regimens that may include non-opioid medications, interventional therapies, and non-pharmacologic approaches. Who Should Certify: This certification is ideal for pharmacists practicing in dedicated pain management clinics, palliative care and hospice services, oncology, and primary care settings where chronic pain is frequently managed. Validated Competencies: The CPMP certification validates a deep knowledge of pain pathophysiology, the pharmacology of a wide range of analgesic agents, and the principles of addiction medicine. It assesses a candidate’s expertise in conducting risk assessments, implementing appropriate monitoring strategies (such as urine drug testing and prescription drug monitoring programs), and safely tapering patients off opioids. A CPMP-certified pharmacist is a recognized leader in combating the opioid crisis from the front lines of patient care.

Certified Renal Pharmacotherapy Specialist (CRPS)

The Clinical Imperative: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are among the most complex from a pharmacotherapy perspective. Impaired drug clearance dramatically increases the risk of toxicity and adverse events, requiring a specialized level of knowledge to ensure medication safety and efficacy. The Scope of Practice: The renal pharmacotherapy specialist is the definitive expert on medication management in the context of renal impairment. Their work involves meticulous dose adjustments, avoidance of nephrotoxic agents, and management of the complex secondary complications of kidney disease, such as anemia, mineral and bone disorders, and electrolyte imbalances. Who Should Certify: This highly specialized certification is designed for pharmacists practicing in nephrology clinics, dialysis centers, and inpatient hospital settings where they frequently care for patients with acute and chronic kidney disease. Validated Competencies: The CRPS certification validates an expert-level command of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the setting of renal failure. It assesses a candidate’s ability to manage drug therapy during various forms of renal replacement therapy (including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis) and to prevent and manage drug-induced kidney injury. Earning the CRPS credential signifies the highest level of expertise in protecting this uniquely vulnerable patient population.

Certified Pharmacist in Substance Use Disorders (CPSUD)

The Clinical Imperative: The substance use disorder crisis, particularly the opioid epidemic, continues to be a devastating public health emergency. Expanding access to evidence-based treatment requires an “all-hands-on-deck” approach, with pharmacists playing an increasingly vital role. The Scope of Practice: The pharmacist specializing in SUD is a key partner in recovery. They are on the front lines of harm reduction through naloxone dispensing and education, and they are critical access points for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as buprenorphine and naltrexone. Their role involves patient counseling, promoting adherence, and fighting the stigma that too often prevents patients from seeking care. Who Should Certify: This certification is designed for pharmacists who are leaders in addiction medicine, practicing in specialized SUD or behavioral health clinics, hospitals, or community pharmacies with a dedicated focus on serving this patient population. Validated Competencies: The CPSUD certification validates expertise in the pharmacology of substances of misuse and the medications used to treat SUDs. It assesses a candidate’s knowledge of national treatment guidelines, motivational interviewing techniques, and the principles of harm reduction. A CPSUD-certified pharmacist is a recognized expert and advocate, equipped to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals struggling with addiction.

Certified Behavioral Health Pharmacist (CBHP)

The Clinical Imperative: The nation is facing a growing mental health crisis, with a significant shortage of specialized providers. As one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists have a profound opportunity to help bridge this gap, providing essential support to patients living with mental illness. The Scope of Practice: The behavioral health pharmacist is an expert in psychopharmacology, managing complex medication regimens for conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety. Their work involves monitoring for therapeutic efficacy and managing the often-complex side effect profiles of psychiatric medications, thereby improving adherence and quality of life for patients. Who Should Certify: This certification is essential for pharmacists practicing in psychiatric hospitals or clinics, community mental health centers, and integrated primary care settings where they are a core part of the behavioral health team. Validated Competencies: The CBHP certification validates an advanced, specialized knowledge of psychotropic medications, including their mechanisms of action, metabolic effects, and drug interactions. It assesses a candidate’s ability to apply evidence-based guidelines to manage treatment-resistant conditions, to collaborate effectively with psychiatrists and therapists, and to provide patient-centered counseling that respects the unique challenges of living with mental illness.

A Vision of Integrated, Patient-Centered Care

We are launching these five certifications as a cohesive portfolio because the conditions they represent are rarely seen in isolation. The modern clinical pharmacist knows that a patient with diabetes may also struggle with depression and chronic kidney disease, or that a patient with chronic pain may be at high risk for a substance use disorder.

“This portfolio reflects the reality of modern clinical practice,” said the Chair of our Clinical Specialties Certification Council. “We are certifying pharmacists not to treat diseases, but to treat complex patients. The synergy between these specialties—understanding the interplay between cardiometabolic health, behavioral health, and pain—is what defines a truly expert clinician. This portfolio provides the tools to recognize and validate that integrated expertise.”

Eligibility and the Path to Certification

These are advanced, specialty certifications designed to recognize practitioners with a significant level of experience and training. The eligibility requirements are therefore more rigorous than our foundational programs. Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

• Completion of a PGY2 pharmacy residency in a relevant specialty area. OR

• A minimum of four (4) years of comprehensive practice experience where at least 50% of the applicant’s time is devoted to the specialty area.

Detailed eligibility pathways and application requirements are available in the official Candidate Handbooks, which can be downloaded from our website. Registration for the inaugural examination window opens on May 1, 2021, with testing available both in-person and via Live Remote Proctoring beginning August 1, 2021.

As the complexity of patient care continues to grow, the depth of your clinical expertise must be recognized. This is your opportunity to validate your advanced skills and distinguish yourself as a leader in your field.

Elevate your practice. Validate your specialty. Explore the Clinical Care Specialties Portfolio today.

The Leadership Team, Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS)