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Candidate Code of Conduct
Effective Date: September 9, 2024
Policy ID: CPS-CONDUCT-2024-09
1.0 Preamble and Purpose
The Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) certification is a mark of professional distinction, signifying that an individual has demonstrated the requisite knowledge and skills to meet rigorous, evidence-based standards in a specialized area of pharmacy practice. The integrity of this credential—and the trust placed in it by the public, employers, and the pharmacy profession at large—depends on the ethical conduct of every individual who seeks or holds it.
The purpose of this Candidate Code of Conduct (“the Code”) is to articulate the professional and ethical standards that all participants in the CPS certification process are required to uphold. Adherence to this Code is essential for maintaining the validity of our examinations, the value of our credentials, and, most importantly, the safety and welfare of the public. This Code is not merely a set of rules but a framework that defines the professional responsibilities inherent in being a CPS applicant, candidate, and certificant. By participating in any aspect of the CPS certification program, individuals agree to be bound by the principles and standards set forth herein.
2.0 Applicability and Scope
This Code applies to all individuals throughout their entire lifecycle of engagement with the CPS certification program. This includes:
Applicants: Any individual from the moment they initiate an application for a CPS certification.
Candidates: Any individual whose application has been approved and who is eligible to sit for, or is in the process of preparing for, a CPS examination.
Certificants: Any individual who has successfully passed a CPS examination and currently holds an active CPS credential.
This Code governs conduct in all contexts related to the CPS certification program, including but not limited to: the submission of application materials, communication with CPS staff, preparation for examinations, the examination administration itself, the use of certification marks and designations, and the fulfillment of recertification requirements.
3.0 Core Principles of Professional Conduct
All individuals subject to this Code shall be guided by the following fundamental principles:
3.1 Primacy of Patient Welfare: The primary responsibility of any pharmacy professional is to the patient. All professional activities, including those related to certification, must be conducted with the health, safety, and well-being of the public as the foremost concern.
3.2 Professional Competence and Integrity: Individuals shall strive for the highest levels of professional competence and shall act with honesty, integrity, and fairness in all professional and certification-related matters. They must commit to continuous learning and the maintenance of their professional skills.
3.3 Honesty and Accuracy in Representation: Individuals must be truthful and accurate in all communications and representations made to CPS and to the public. This includes providing complete and accurate information regarding their qualifications, experience, and the scope of their certification.
3.4 Confidentiality and Privacy: Individuals must respect and protect the confidentiality of all sensitive information encountered in their professional practice and throughout the certification process, including patient information and confidential examination materials.
3.5 Compliance with Laws and Regulations: Individuals shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy and professional conduct.
4.0 Specific Standards of Conduct
Violation of any of the following standards may result in disciplinary action, as outlined in Section 5.0 of this Code.
4.1 Professionalism and Integrity
All individuals shall:
Conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner in all interactions with CPS staff, volunteers, proctors, and other candidates.
Refrain from any conduct that is harassing, discriminatory, abusive, or disruptive.
Avoid any behavior that could bring the pharmacy profession or the CPS certification program into disrepute.
Accurately represent their professional qualifications, experience, and certification status in all contexts.
4.2 Application, Eligibility, and Renewal
In all submissions to CPS, individuals shall:
Provide truthful, accurate, and complete information on their application, recertification application, and all other forms and communications.
Not misrepresent their identity, educational background, professional licensure, or practice experience. Falsification or misrepresentation of any information is a serious violation and will result in immediate disqualification and potential further sanctions.
Promptly notify CPS of any changes to their contact information or any material changes that could affect their eligibility status, such as changes in licensure or any disciplinary actions taken against them by a regulatory body.
4.3 Examination Conduct and Security
The security and integrity of the examination process are paramount. Any action that could compromise the validity or fairness of the exam is strictly prohibited. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Unauthorized Aid: Giving or receiving any form of assistance during the examination. This includes communication of any kind with other individuals besides the proctor.
Use of Prohibited Materials: Bringing into the testing environment or using any unauthorized items, such as notes, study guides, textbooks, electronic devices (including mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators not provided by the testing platform), or any other resource not explicitly permitted by CPS.
Proxy Testing: Having another individual take an examination on one’s behalf, or taking an examination for another individual.
Disclosure of Examination Content: Disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting any part of the examination content, in any form (verbal, written, electronic) or by any means. This is a critical violation and includes:
Memorizing and sharing questions or answers after the exam.
Discussing specific exam questions or scenarios with others, in person or online.
Copying or recording any part of the exam content.
Tampering and Misconduct:
Attempting to tamper with the testing platform software or delivery system.
Creating a disturbance or engaging in disruptive behavior at any point during the examination session.
Failing to comply with the instructions of the examination proctor. The proctor’s instructions are final.
Attempting to remove any examination materials, including digital notes or scratch work, from the testing environment.
Providing false information to the proctor or engaging in any other form of dishonest or unethical behavior.
4.4 Use of Certification and Marks
Upon successful certification, Certificants shall:
Use the CPS credential and associated marks (e.g., logos, acronyms) only in a manner that is authorized by CPS and that accurately reflects their active certification status.
Not misrepresent the scope or meaning of the certification. The credential signifies demonstrated knowledge in a specialty area; it does not constitute a license to practice pharmacy.
Immediately cease using the credential and any related marks upon the suspension, expiration, or revocation of their certification.
Not alter, copy, or misuse the official certificate or digital badge provided by CPS.
4.5 Recertification and Continuing Competence
Certificants have an ongoing duty to maintain their professional competence. They shall:
Comply with all recertification requirements established by CPS to maintain their credential.
Truthfully and accurately report all continuing education and professional development activities undertaken for the purpose of recertification.
Engage in continuous professional development to stay current with the knowledge and skills relevant to their certified specialty.
5.0 Disciplinary Process and Sanctions
CPS takes all violations of this Code seriously and has established a formal process to investigate and adjudicate alleged misconduct.
5.1 Reporting Violations
All individuals subject to this Code have a professional obligation to report any potential violation of the Code, whether committed by themselves or by another individual. Reports must be submitted in writing to the CPS Compliance Officer at ethics@pharmacystandards.org.
5.2 Investigation Process
Upon receipt of a credible allegation of a Code violation, CPS will initiate a thorough and impartial investigation. The process ensures due process for all parties and includes:
Notification: The individual alleged to have violated the Code (the “respondent”) will be notified in writing of the allegation and the specific provisions of the Code that may have been violated.
Opportunity to Respond: The respondent will be given a reasonable opportunity to provide a written response to the allegation and to submit any relevant evidence or information.
Review: A designated disciplinary committee will review the allegation, the respondent’s response, and any other evidence gathered during the investigation.
Determination: The committee will make a determination, based on a preponderance of the evidence, as to whether a violation of the Code occurred.
5.3 Disciplinary Sanctions
If a violation is found to have occurred, the disciplinary committee may impose one or more sanctions, proportionate to the severity and nature of the violation. Sanctions include, but are not limited to:
Written Reprimand: A formal written warning placed in the individual’s file.
Suspension: The temporary removal of the individual’s certification for a specified period. During suspension, the individual may not use the credential.
Revocation: The permanent and irreversible termination of the individual’s certification.
Ineligibility: A determination that an applicant or candidate is ineligible to sit for a future examination for a specified period or permanently.
Annulment of Score: Invalidation of an examination score if the violation occurred during the exam.
Public Disclosure: CPS reserves the right to publish the names of individuals whose certifications have been revoked and the basis for that action.
6.0 Acknowledgement and Agreement
By submitting an application to CPS, sitting for a CPS examination, or accepting a CPS credential, an individual explicitly acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Candidate Code of Conduct and any subsequent amendments. They further agree to cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by CPS under the provisions of this Code.
