Certified Point-of-Care Testing Pharmacist (CPOCTP)

CPOCTP (POCT-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the regulatory, technical, and clinical knowledge to safely and effectively provide point-of-care testing services within a pharmacy practice setting.

Domain 1: Regulatory and Quality Management (35%)

• CLIA Regulations: Differentiate between waived, moderate, and high-complexity testing. Describe the specific requirements for maintaining a CLIA Certificate of Waiver.
• Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA): Develop and implement a comprehensive QA plan. Perform and document QC procedures according to manufacturer and regulatory standards.
• Personnel Training and Competency: Establish a training program and competency assessment schedule for all staff involved in the testing process.
• Safety and Biohazard Management: Implement OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogens and manage the proper handling and disposal of biohazardous waste.

Domain 2: POCT Device Operation and Specimen Collection (30%)

• Device Principles: For common tests (e.g., influenza, strep, A1c, INR), explain the underlying technology of the testing device (e.g., immunoassay, reflectance photometry).
• Specimen Collection: Demonstrate correct procedures for obtaining patient specimens, including fingersticks and swabs, to ensure sample integrity.
• Test Performance: Follow step-by-step procedures for performing tests according to the manufacturer's package insert, including timing and environmental controls.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve common device errors and invalid test results.

Domain 3: Clinical Application and Interpretation of Results (25%)

• Result Interpretation: Given a patient case and a POCT result, accurately interpret the finding and its clinical significance, including concepts of sensitivity and specificity.
• Clinical Decision-Making: Apply clinical guidelines to make an evidence-based recommendation based on a test result (e.g., initiating oseltamivir for a positive flu test).
• Patient Counseling: Counsel patients on the meaning of their test results, appropriate next steps, and when to seek follow-up care with a primary provider.

Domain 4: Workflow Integration and Collaborative Practice (10%)

• Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPAs): Describe the key components of a CPA that authorizes pharmacists to perform and act upon POCT results.
• Billing and Documentation: Identify appropriate CPT codes and documentation requirements for billing third-party payers for testing and associated clinical services.
• Workflow Design: Design an efficient and private workflow for integrating POCT into a busy pharmacy 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 CPOCTP Professionals

The CPOCTP certification is for pharmacists seeking to expand their scope of practice into clinical laboratory services, transforming their pharmacies into community health hubs. This credential demonstrates the skills needed to generate revenue through clinical services and improve patient access to care.

Target Candidates

• Community and ambulatory care pharmacists.
• Pharmacists interested in establishing or managing a CLIA-waived testing site.
• Clinical services managers for pharmacy chains.
• Public health pharmacists.

Primary Job Roles:

• Community Pharmacist (with Clinical Services)
• Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
• Clinical Services Manager
• Pharmacy Owner (with a focus on testing services)

Career Advancement:

A CPOCTP is well-positioned to lead the development of clinical services within their organization. They can advance to become a regional clinical services manager for a pharmacy chain, an owner of a successful independent pharmacy with multiple revenue streams, or a consultant helping other pharmacies establish their own testing programs.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CPOCTP exam with resources designed for this hands-on clinical specialty.