Certified Public Health Pharmacist (CPHP)

CPHP (PHP-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the knowledge and skills to apply the science of pharmacy to protect and improve the health of populations.

Domain 1: Foundations of Public Health (30%)

• Epidemiology and Biostatistics: Apply core principles of epidemiology (e.g., incidence, prevalence, risk factors) and biostatistics to interpret public health data.
• Health Policy and Advocacy: Analyze how local, state, and federal policies impact public health and advocate for policies that improve community health.
• Social Determinants of Health: Identify how social and economic factors impact health outcomes and design interventions to address health disparities.

Domain 2: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (40%)

• Immunizations: Manage and lead immunization programs, including vaccine storage, handling, and administration, and address vaccine hesitancy.
• Screening Programs: Design and implement community-based screening programs for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and infectious diseases.
• Health Communication: Develop and deliver culturally competent health education and communication campaigns for diverse populations.
• Tobacco Cessation and Substance Use: Apply population-level strategies for tobacco cessation and harm reduction for substance use.

Domain 3: Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (30%)

• Emergency Management: Describe the pharmacist's role in all phases of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery).
• Strategic National Stockpile (SNS): Describe the purpose of the SNS and the pharmacist's role in receiving, staging, and dispensing medical countermeasures.
• Incident Command System (ICS): Understand the role of pharmacy within the ICS structure during a public health emergency.
• Bioterrorism and Emerging Threats: Identify the key characteristics and management of potential bioterrorism agents and emerging infectious diseases.

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 CPHP Professionals

The CPHP certification is for pharmacists working in non-traditional roles focused on the health of communities rather than individuals. This credential is ideal for professionals in government, academia, and non-profit health organizations.

Target Candidates

• Pharmacists working in local, state, or federal public health agencies.
• Community pharmacists who lead health and wellness initiatives.
• Health-system pharmacists involved in population health and emergency preparedness.
• Academic pharmacists with a focus on social and administrative sciences or public health.

Primary Job Roles:

• Public Health Pharmacist (at a city, state, or federal level)
• Pharmacist at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
• Academic Pharmacist (with a focus on public health)
• Population Health Manager

Career Advancement:

A CPHP is positioned for leadership roles that influence the health of entire populations. They can advance to become a Director of a public health department, a senior leader within a federal agency like the CDC or HHS, or a policy advisor for a national health organization.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CPHP exam with resources focused on the unique application of pharmacy in a population health context.