CPOM (POM-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the necessary business, leadership, and operational knowledge to effectively manage the resources, personnel, and finances of a pharmacy department or organization.

Domain 1: Financial Management (30%)

• Budgeting and Financial Planning: Develop and manage departmental budgets, including forecasting for drug expenditures, revenue, and labor costs.
• Financial Statement Analysis: Interpret key financial documents, such as a profit and loss (P&L) statement, to assess the financial health of the pharmacy.
• Inventory Management: Implement strategies to optimize inventory turnover, manage purchasing and procurement, and minimize the cost of goods sold.
• Payer Contracting and Reimbursement: Describe the impact of PBM contracts, DIR fees, and reimbursement models on pharmacy profitability.

Domain 2: Personnel Management and Leadership (25%)

• Human Resources: Manage recruitment, hiring, training, and performance evaluation for pharmacists and technicians.
• Leadership and Staff Development: Apply leadership principles to motivate teams, manage conflict, and foster professional development.
• Workforce Optimization: Develop staffing models and schedules to meet workload demands while controlling labor costs.
• Compliance with Labor Laws: Ensure adherence to federal and state labor laws and regulations.

Domain 3: Operations and Workflow Optimization (30%)

• Workflow Design: Analyze and improve dispensing and clinical workflows to enhance efficiency, safety, and patient service.
• Technology and Automation: Evaluate, implement, and manage the use of pharmacy automation (e.g., robotics, dispensing cabinets) and software systems.
• Productivity Monitoring: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational performance (e.g., turnaround time, dispensing accuracy).
• Supply Chain Management: Manage relationships with wholesalers and vendors to ensure a reliable and cost-effective drug supply.

Domain 4: Compliance and Quality Management (15%)

• Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance: Ensure the pharmacy complies with standards from state boards of pharmacy, the DEA, and accreditation bodies (e.g., The Joint Commission, URAC).
• Quality Improvement: Implement a continuous quality improvement (CQI) program to monitor and improve the safety and quality of pharmacy services.
• Risk Management: Develop and implement policies to mitigate operational and clinical risks within the pharmacy.

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 CPOM Professionals

The CPOM certification is for pharmacists and experienced pharmacy leaders who are responsible for the operational and financial success of a pharmacy. It is ideal for those in management roles in community, health-system, and specialty pharmacy settings.

Target Candidates

• Current pharmacy managers, supervisors, and directors in any practice setting.
• Aspiring pharmacy leaders and pharmacists with operational responsibilities.
• Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) residents.
• Experienced lead technicians with managerial duties.

Primary Job Roles:

• Pharmacy Manager
• Director of Pharmacy
• Pharmacy Operations Manager
• Business Manager (Pharmacy)
• Regional Pharmacy Director

Career Advancement:

A CPOM is positioned for senior and executive leadership roles. They can advance to become a Regional or Corporate Director of Pharmacy Operations, a Vice President of Pharmacy Services, or hold executive roles in pharmacy consulting and health-system administration.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CPOM exam with resources focused on the business and management of pharmacy.