Certified Pharmacogenomics Pharmacist (CPxP)

CPxP (PGX-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the clinical knowledge and skills to effectively apply pharmacogenomic principles to patient care, from test interpretation to clinical recommendation and implementation.

Domain 1: Foundational Pharmacogenomics (25%)

• Genetic Principles: Define and differentiate key genetic concepts including allele, genotype, phenotype, haplotype, and star (`*`) allele nomenclature.
• Pharmacokinetic & Pharmacodynamic Variability: Explain how genetic variations in metabolic enzymes (e.g., CYPs), transporters (e.g., SLCO1B1), and drug targets (e.g., VKORC1) influence drug response.
• PGx Terminology: Accurately use phenotype terms such as poor, intermediate, normal, rapid, and ultrarapid metabolizer to describe patient metabolic capacity.

Domain 2: Clinical Interpretation and Application (40%)

• Gene-Drug Pair Analysis: Given a patient case with a specific genotype, interpret the result and formulate a therapeutic recommendation for key drugs (e.g., clopidogrel, warfarin, statins, SSRIs).
• Guideline Application: Apply evidence-based guidelines from CPIC and other relevant bodies to solve clinical scenarios involving PGx data.
• Phenotype Prediction: Predict a patient's drug-response phenotype based on their genotype for major pharmacogenes.
• Therapeutic Alternative Selection: Based on a patient's PGx profile, identify appropriate alternative medications that are less likely to be impacted by the genetic variation.

Domain 3: PGx Testing and Implementation (20%)

• Testing Methodologies: Compare and contrast different PGx testing strategies (e.g., single-gene tests vs. panels, reactive vs. pre-emptive testing).
• Clinical Workflow Integration: Design a clinical workflow for incorporating PGx results into the EMR and the clinical decision-making process at the point of care.
• Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI): Describe the key provisions of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and other regulations relevant to PGx testing.

Domain 4: Patient and Provider Education (15%)

• Patient Counseling: Communicate PGx test results to patients in an understandable way, explaining the implications for their current and future medication therapy.
• Provider Consultation: Formulate and deliver clear, concise, and evidence-based PGx consultations to prescribers and other members of the healthcare team.

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 CPxP Professionals

The CPxP certification is for pharmacists who are pioneers in the implementation of personalized medicine. This credential opens doors to innovative roles in ambulatory care, MTM services, health systems, and the biotechnology industry.

Target Candidates

• Pharmacists in ambulatory care, community, or MTM roles.
• Clinical pharmacists, especially in cardiology, psychiatry, and pain management.
• Pharmacists with an interest in genetics and personalized medicine.
• Pharmacists working for diagnostic laboratories or biotech companies.

Primary Job Roles:

• Pharmacogenomics Clinical Pharmacist
• Personalized Medicine Program Coordinator
• MTM Pharmacist (with PGx focus)
• Clinical Pharmacist in Psychiatry or Cardiology
• Medical Science Liaison (Genomics/Diagnostics)

Career Advancement:

A CPxP is well-positioned for leadership roles in developing and managing clinical pharmacogenomics services. They can advance to become a Director of Personalized Medicine, lead research initiatives, or work as a strategic consultant for diagnostic laboratories and health plans seeking to implement PGx programs.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CPxP exam with resources designed to help you translate genetic data into clinical action.