Certified Women's Health Pharmacist (CWHP)

CWHP (WHP-001) Exam Objectives

This exam certifies that the candidate has the specialized clinical knowledge to manage the health and pharmacotherapy needs of women throughout their lives.

Domain 1: Reproductive Health and Contraception (35%)

• Contraception: Manage hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptive methods, including selection based on patient-specific factors, side effect management, and emergency contraception.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Describe the pathophysiology and management of PCOS, including hormonal and metabolic aspects.
• Endometriosis: Manage pharmacotherapy for endometriosis-associated pain.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Manage treatment and prevention of common STIs.

Domain 2: Pregnancy and Lactation (25%)

• Pharmacotherapy in Pregnancy: Assess and manage common medical conditions during pregnancy (e.g., nausea, hypertension, diabetes), applying knowledge of teratogenicity.
• Pharmacotherapy in Lactation: Evaluate medication safety for a breastfeeding infant and recommend appropriate therapies for the parent.
• Prenatal and Postpartum Care: Counsel on appropriate vitamin supplementation and management of postpartum conditions like depression.

Domain 3: Menopause and Midlife Health (25%)

• Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT): Assess a patient's appropriateness for MHT, evaluate risks vs. benefits, and select appropriate regimens.
• Osteoporosis: Manage the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM): Manage local and systemic therapies for GSM.

Domain 4: Common Health Conditions in Women (15%)

• Cardiovascular Health: Manage cardiovascular risk factors that are unique to or more prevalent in women.
• Migraines: Manage acute and prophylactic treatment for migraines, including menstrual migraines.
• Preventive Care: Counsel on recommended vaccinations and health screenings (e.g., cervical and breast cancer).

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 CWHP Professionals

The CWHP certification is for pharmacists in community, ambulatory care, and health-system settings who are dedicated to providing specialized care for women. This credential allows pharmacists to develop focused clinical services and become key providers in women's health.

Target Candidates

• Community pharmacists interested in developing a niche practice.
• Ambulatory care pharmacists working in primary care or OB-GYN clinics.
• Health-system pharmacists who provide care to women on obstetrics or gynecology services.
• Pharmacists with an interest in compounding bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Primary Job Roles:

• Clinical Pharmacist (Women's Health / OB-GYN Clinic)
• Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (Primary Care)
• Community Pharmacist (with a women's health focus)
• Managed Care Pharmacist (with formulary responsibilities for women's health)

Career Advancement:

A CWHP is well-positioned to lead the development of pharmacy-driven women's health services. They can advance to become a clinical coordinator for a women's health service line, an owner of a pharmacy with a niche practice, or a consultant for health plans and provider groups.

Study Resources

Prepare for your CWHP exam with resources designed to cover the full spectrum of women's health pharmacotherapy.