Certified Wellness & Supplement Pharmacist (CWSP)

CWSP (WSP-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the knowledge to be a trusted, evidence-based resource for patients and providers on the safe and effective use of dietary supplements, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Domain 1: Foundations of Nutrition and Supplements (30%)

• Macronutrients and Micronutrients: Describe the roles of essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients in human health and identify signs of deficiency.
• Regulatory Landscape: Differentiate the regulatory frameworks for dietary supplements (DSHEA) versus prescription drugs, including claims and labeling requirements.
• Product Quality and Standardization: Describe the role of third-party quality verification programs (e.g., USP, NSF) in ensuring product purity and potency.

Domain 2: Evidence-Based Use in Common Conditions (40%)

• Cardiovascular Health: Evaluate the evidence for supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, CoQ10, and red yeast rice.
• Bone and Joint Health: Manage the use of calcium, vitamin D, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
• Mental and Neurological Health: Evaluate the evidence for supplements like St. John's Wort, SAMe, melatonin, and ginkgo biloba.
• Gastrointestinal Health: Manage the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber supplements.
• General Wellness: Counsel on the appropriate use of multivitamins, B-complex vitamins, and antioxidants.

Domain 3: Safety, Quality, and Drug Interactions (25%)

• Drug-Supplement Interactions: Identify and manage clinically significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions (e.g., St. John's Wort as an inducer, Vitamin K and warfarin).
• Toxicity and Adverse Effects: Identify potential toxicities associated with high doses of certain vitamins and minerals.
• Special Populations: Describe safety considerations for the use of supplements in pregnancy, lactation, pediatric, and geriatric populations.

Domain 4: Wellness Counseling and Practice Integration (5%)

• Patient Counseling: Employ patient-centered techniques to counsel on the appropriate selection and use of supplements.
• Practice Integration: Describe strategies for integrating wellness and supplement consultations into a community or ambulatory care pharmacy workflow.

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 CWSP Professionals

The CWSP certification is for pharmacists in community and ambulatory care settings who want to formalize their expertise in supplements and wellness. This credential empowers pharmacists to confidently expand their patient care services, establish themselves as community health resources, and generate new revenue streams.

Target Candidates

• Community pharmacists looking to expand their clinical counseling services.
• Ambulatory care pharmacists managing patients with chronic diseases.
• Pharmacists with a strong interest in nutrition, wellness, and preventative health.
• Pharmacy owners seeking to differentiate their practice with wellness consultations.

Primary Job Roles:

• Community Pharmacist (with wellness focus)
• Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
• Consultant Pharmacist
• Functional Medicine Pharmacist
• Pharmacy Owner (with a focus on wellness services)

Career Advancement:

A CWSP can leverage their expertise to become a recognized leader in their community. They are well-positioned to develop successful clinical consultation services, create educational content for patients and providers, or take on leadership roles in organizations that integrate pharmacy with holistic health and wellness.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CWSP exam with resources focused on the evidence-based use of supplements and wellness products.