Certified Hormone Therapy Pharmacist (CHTP)

CHTP (HTP-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the specialized clinical knowledge to manage complex hormone therapy regimens for diverse patient populations, ensuring safe, effective, and individualized care.

Domain 1: Foundations of Endocrinology and Hormone Therapy (25%)

• Endocrine Physiology: Describe the physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.
• Pharmacology of Hormones: Differentiate the pharmacology of various estrogen, progestogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormone preparations.
• Laboratory Interpretation: Interpret common laboratory tests used to assess hormonal status (e.g., TSH, free T4, estradiol, FSH, total and free testosterone).

Domain 2: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (35%)

• Patient Assessment: Assess a patient's appropriateness for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), including evaluation of vasomotor symptoms and contraindications.
• Risk/Benefit Analysis: Evaluate and communicate the risks and benefits of MHT, including cardiovascular, thromboembolic, and breast cancer risks, based on current evidence.
• Treatment Selection: Select appropriate MHT regimens (e.g., estrogen-only vs. combination therapy, systemic vs. local) and dosage forms based on patient-specific factors.

Domain 3: Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (25%)

• Principles of Gender-Affirming Care: Apply the standards of care for the health of transgender and gender diverse people.
• Feminizing Hormone Therapy: Manage feminizing hormone regimens, including the use of estrogens and anti-androgens, and monitor for safety and efficacy.
• Masculinizing Hormone Therapy: Manage masculinizing hormone regimens, including the use of testosterone formulations, and monitor for safety and efficacy.

Domain 4: Other Endocrine Conditions and Compounding (15%)

• Thyroid Disorders: Manage the pharmacotherapy for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
• Testosterone Deficiency: Manage testosterone replacement therapy in cisgender men.
• Compounded BHRT: Describe the role, formulation, and evidence for compounded bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to sit for a CPS certification exam, candidates must meet the criteria outlined in one of the two pathways below.

Pathway 1: For U.S. Licensed Pharmacists

This pathway is for pharmacists licensed to practice within the United States, regardless of country of graduation.

• Hold an active and unrestricted pharmacist license in any state or territory of the United States.
• Meet educational requirements by being a graduate of an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy or holding a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee® (FPGEC) Certificate.
• Fulfill the specialty experience requirement as outlined below.

Pathway 2: For International Pharmacists (Non-U.S. Licensed)

This pathway is for pharmacists who practice outside of the United States.

• Hold an active and unrestricted license to practice pharmacy in their country of practice. A certified English translation of the license must be provided if the original is not in English.
• Hold a professional degree in pharmacy equivalent to a U.S. pharmacy degree, such as a Bachelor’s degree (BPharm), Master’s degree in Pharmacy Practice (MPharm), or Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD).
• Fulfill the specialty experience requirement as outlined below.

Specialty Experience Requirement (for all pathways)

To ensure candidates have foundational knowledge in the specialty, one of the following criteria must be met:

• Standard Pathway:
  Completion of at least one year of professional experience in a practice setting directly related to the certification area.
• Certificate Pathway:
  The one-year specialty experience requirement is waived for candidates who hold an active certificate of completion from a nationally recognized provider in a related subject matter. This includes, but is not limited to, the completion of a relevant PGY residency, fellowship, certificate/training program, or a relevant graduate degree (e.g., a Master's degree in the specialty field). Recognized providers of certificate programs include, but are not limited to:
  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
  • American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
  • American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

Career Path for CHTP Professionals

The CHTP certification is ideal for pharmacists in community, ambulatory care, and compounding settings who have a focus on women's health, men's health, and LGBTQ+ care. This credential showcases a commitment to providing specialized, patient-centered care for hormone-related conditions.

Target Candidates

• Pharmacists in community or ambulatory care settings seeking to specialize in hormonal health.
• Clinical pharmacists consulting in women’s health, men’s health, or endocrinology clinics.
• Compounding pharmacists who prepare bioidentical hormone replacement therapies (BHRT).
• Pharmacists dedicated to providing inclusive and knowledgeable gender-affirming care.

Primary Job Roles

• Clinical Pharmacist (Women's Health / Endocrinology)
• Compounding Pharmacist (specializing in BHRT)
• Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (Primary Care or Specialty Clinic)
• Community Pharmacist with a clinical focus on hormonal health

Career Advancement

A CHTP is positioned to become a clinical leader in their practice setting. They can advance to become a clinical coordinator for a women's health or transgender care clinic, a sought-after consultant for bioidentical hormone therapy, or an owner of a pharmacy specializing in hormonal wellness.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CHTP exam with resources focused on the evidence-based management of hormone therapies.