Certified Veterinary Compounding Specialist (CVCS)

CVCS (VCS-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate possesses the specialized pharmacological, formulation, and regulatory knowledge required to safely and effectively compound medications for animal patients in collaboration with veterinarians.

Domain 1: Veterinary Pharmacology and Physiology (35%)

• Interspecies Differences: Differentiate drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) across common companion and exotic animal species (e.g., canine, feline, equine, avian).
• Toxicology and Excipient Safety: Identify excipients (e.g., xylitol, propylene glycol, certain dyes) that are toxic to specific species and select safe alternatives for formulations.
• Relevant Anatomy and Physiology: Apply knowledge of animal anatomy relevant to drug administration routes (e.g., transdermal absorption pathways in cats, gastrointestinal transit time in horses).
• Common Veterinary Disease States: Understand the pharmacology of drugs used to treat common conditions in animals, such as arthritis, hyperthyroidism, allergies, seizures, and behavioral disorders.

Domain 2: Compounding Science and Formulation (40%)

• Dosage Form Selection and Formulation: Select and compound the most appropriate dosage forms (e.g., oral suspensions, transdermal gels, capsules, medicated treats, otic preparations) based on the animal, drug properties, and administration needs.
• Compounding Calculations: Perform all necessary calculations for veterinary compounding, including weight-based dosing (mg/kg), percentage concentrations, and alligation.
• Stability and Beyond-Use Dating (BUD): Apply principles of drug stability and relevant USP chapters to assign appropriate BUDs for non-sterile compounded preparations for animal use.
• Flavoring and Palatability: Utilize various flavoring agents (e.g., chicken, beef, fish) and techniques to improve the palatability and acceptance of medications by different animal species.

Domain 3: Regulatory, Quality, and Safety Standards (25%)

• USP Compounding Standards: Apply USP General Chapters <795> (Non-sterile Compounding) and <800> (Hazardous Drugs) to the veterinary compounding process.
• Federal and State Regulations: Describe the legal framework for veterinary compounding, including the roles of the FDA, state boards of pharmacy, and the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA).
• Quality Assurance (QA): Develop and implement a QA program for a veterinary compounding practice, including procedures for documentation, staff training, and final product verification.
• Client Communication and Education: Counsel pet owners on the proper storage, administration (e.g., demonstrating how to apply a transdermal gel to a cat's ear), and monitoring of compounded medications.

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 CVCS Professionals

The CVCS certification is the gold standard for pharmacists practicing in veterinary medicine. This credential demonstrates a commitment to animal health and opens up specialized career paths in a growing and rewarding niche of pharmacy practice.

Target Candidates

• Pharmacists currently working in a veterinary compounding pharmacy.
• Community pharmacists who compound for local veterinary clinics.
• Pharmacists working in veterinary teaching hospitals.
• Pharmacy owners seeking to expand into the veterinary market.

Primary Job Roles:

• Veterinary Compounding Pharmacist
• Manager of a PCAB-Accredited Compounding Pharmacy
• Formulation Specialist (Veterinary)
• Clinical Consultant for Veterinary Practices
• Pharmaceutical Industry Role (Veterinary Drug Development)
• Academic Professional in a College of Pharmacy

Career Advancement:

With a CVCS credential, pharmacists can advance to become owners or directors of specialized veterinary compounding pharmacies, take on leadership roles in national compounding organizations, or serve as key opinion leaders and consultants for the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CVCS exam with resources tailored to the unique challenges of veterinary compounding.