Certified Integrative Pharmacy Specialist (CIPS)

CIPS (IPS-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the clinical knowledge to safely and effectively integrate evidence-based complementary and integrative health strategies into conventional pharmacy practice.

Domain 1: Principles of Integrative Medicine (20%)

• Core Concepts: Define integrative and functional medicine and differentiate them from alternative medicine.
• Whole-Person Assessment: Describe a patient assessment model that considers lifestyle, nutrition, stress, and environmental factors.
• Evidence Appraisal: Apply principles of evidence-based medicine to evaluate the quality of research for complementary therapies.

Domain 2: Botanical Medicine and Supplements (35%)

• Evidence-Based Use: For major botanical medicines (e.g., turmeric, berberine, milk thistle) and supplements, evaluate the evidence for their use in common conditions.
• Safety and Quality: Assess botanical products for quality, standardization, and potential for adulteration.
• Drug-Herb Interactions: Identify and manage clinically significant interactions between botanical medicines and prescription drugs.

Domain 3: Mind-Body Therapies and Nutrition (30%)

• Nutritional Principles: Describe the role of anti-inflammatory diets and other nutritional strategies in managing chronic disease.
• Mind-Body Modalities: Explain the evidence and clinical applications for practices such as meditation, yoga, and acupuncture.
• Patient Counseling: Counsel patients on incorporating appropriate nutritional and mind-body strategies into their lifestyle.

Domain 4: Practice Management and Collaboration (15%)

• Interprofessional Collaboration: Describe the roles of other integrative practitioners (e.g., naturopaths, acupuncturists) and how to collaborate effectively.
• Practice Models: Develop a workflow for incorporating integrative pharmacy consultations into a community or clinic setting.

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 CIPS Professionals

The CIPS certification is for pharmacists who are pioneers in a patient-centered, holistic model of care. This credential is ideal for professionals in ambulatory care, community pharmacy, and consulting roles who wish to offer a broader range of evidence-based therapeutic options.

Target Candidates

• Pharmacists with fellowship training in integrative or functional medicine.
• Community pharmacists with a strong focus on patient wellness and natural products.
• Consultant pharmacists specializing in holistic care models.
• Ambulatory care pharmacists managing chronic diseases.

Primary Job Roles:

• Integrative Pharmacy Specialist
• Functional Medicine Pharmacist
• Clinical Wellness Pharmacist
• Consultant Pharmacist (Integrative Health)
• Pharmacy Owner (with a focus on holistic health)

Career Advancement:

A CIPS is positioned to become a leader in the integrative health movement. They can develop successful consultation practices, serve as clinical directors for integrative health centers, or become key educators and advocates for a more holistic approach to pharmacotherapy.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CIPS exam with resources designed to bridge the gap between conventional and complementary medicine.