CPS Expands Offerings with New Foundational Practice Portfolio

In today’s complex healthcare environment, the practice of pharmacy has diversified into a rich tapestry of specialized roles and critical responsibilities. From the meticulous preparation of sterile injectables to the strategic management of complex medication regimens, the modern pharmacist must demonstrate a profound depth of knowledge across numerous domains. For years, the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) has been committed to supporting professionals as they navigate this landscape, providing a trusted framework for competence and lifelong learning.

Today, we are thrilled to announce a landmark expansion of our certification programs, a direct response to the expressed needs of the pharmacy community. It is with great pride that we officially launch the new CPS Foundational Practice Portfolio—a suite of four distinct certification programs designed to recognize and validate expertise in the essential pillars of contemporary pharmacy practice. 

This portfolio represents the culmination of years of research, development, and collaboration with Subject Matter Experts from across the nation. We are proud to introduce:

• The Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (CSCP)

• The Certified Non-Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (CNSCP)

• The Certified Medication Safety Officer (CMSO)

• The Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist (CMTMS)

This expansion marks a new chapter in our mission to advance patient safety and professional excellence.

Responding to a Professional Mandate

The decision to develop and launch the Foundational Practice Portfolio was not made in a vacuum. It is the direct result of the comprehensive research and stakeholder engagement we detailed in our 2018 Year in Review. Through extensive national Job Task Analyses, employer focus groups, and direct feedback from practitioners, a clear mandate emerged. The pharmacy community identified a critical need for standardized, credible, and nationally recognized credentials in four key areas that form the bedrock of safe and effective pharmacy services.

Our work throughout the past two years—from convening expert panels to the meticulous process of examination development—has been singularly focused on meeting this need. We heard from health systems seeking a reliable way to verify the advanced competencies of their compounding and medication safety personnel. We heard from ambulatory care pharmacists and payers looking for a benchmark of excellence in Medication Therapy Management. This portfolio is our answer. It is the fulfillment of our promise to the profession to create programs that are not only relevant and rigorous but also directly responsive to the real-world challenges and opportunities you face every day.

A Deep Dive into the Foundational Practice Portfolio

Each certification in this portfolio has been developed through a distinct, evidence-based process to validate the specific set of skills and knowledge required for competent practice in its respective domain.

The Certified Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (CSCP)

The practice of sterile compounding carries with it an immense responsibility, as the slightest deviation from established standards can have devastating consequences for patients. The CSCP certification is designed for pharmacists who practice in hospital, home infusion, specialty, or other settings where sterile preparations are compounded. It provides a formal recognition of expertise in the standards and practices required to ensure the absolute safety and integrity of these critical medications. The examination assesses a candidate’s mastery of USP <797> standards, principles of aseptic technique, cleanroom design and maintenance, quality assurance protocols, and the proper handling of sterile products. For pharmacists, earning the CSCP credential is a powerful demonstration of their commitment to patient safety. For employers, it is a vital tool for risk mitigation and a clear indicator of a high-reliability pharmacy operation.

The Certified Non-Sterile Compounding Pharmacist (CNSCP)

Non-sterile compounding is a cornerstone of personalized medicine, allowing pharmacists to meet the unique therapeutic needs of individual patients. The CNSCP certification is designed for professionals who specialize in this area, validating their expertise in creating safe, effective, and high-quality customized medications. This credential is ideal for pharmacists in community, hospital, or specialty compounding pharmacies. The CNSCP examination covers essential knowledge areas outlined in USP <795>, including component selection, formulation calculations, compounding techniques for various dosage forms, and quality control procedures. Earning the CNSCP credential signifies a pharmacist’s advanced ability to go beyond routine dispensing, showcasing their skill in the art and science of pharmaceutical compounding and their dedication to meeting individualized patient needs.

The Certified Medication Safety Officer (CMSO)

Medication errors represent one of the most significant threats to patient safety within the healthcare system. The CMSO certification is designed for pharmacy leaders and professionals who are formally tasked with overseeing medication safety programs within their organizations. It is the premier credential for those who lead the charge in identifying, analyzing, and preventing medication-related adverse events. The examination validates expertise in systems-level analysis, root cause analysis methodologies, human factors engineering, an organization’s safety culture, and the implementation of medication safety technology. A pharmacist holding the CMSO credential is a recognized expert capable of leading institutional efforts to build safer medication use systems, making them an invaluable asset to any hospital, health system, or patient safety organization.

The Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist (CMTMS)

As patient care becomes more complex, the role of the pharmacist in managing complex medication regimens has never been more crucial. The CMTMS certification is the definitive standard for pharmacists who provide comprehensive Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services in ambulatory care, community pharmacy, managed care, or clinic settings. This credential validates a practitioner’s advanced skill in performing comprehensive medication reviews, creating patient-centered care plans, and collaborating with other healthcare providers to optimize therapeutic outcomes. The CMTMS examination assesses a candidate’s expertise in evidence-based practice guidelines for common chronic diseases, patient assessment techniques, and effective communication strategies. Earning the CMTMS certification distinguishes a pharmacist as a specialist in patient care, fully equipped to improve health outcomes and reduce the total cost of care.

Built on a Foundation of Rigor

We want to assure the pharmacy community that these new certifications are built upon the same foundation of quality and psychometric rigor that defines all CPS initiatives. The content for each examination is directly linked to the results of its own national Job Task Analysis, ensuring that we are testing for what truly matters in practice. The examination blueprints were meticulously developed and validated by our committees of Subject Matter Experts, and every question has been written and reviewed by trained, practicing professionals in the field. This disciplined, multi-year process ensures that these credentials are not just new, but that they are credible, fair, and legally defensible from day one.

Information for Inaugural Candidates

We invite all qualified pharmacy professionals to demonstrate their expertise and become part of the inaugural class of certificants in these foundational practice areas.

• Registration Opens: The registration window for the first administration of all four certification examinations will open on October 1, 2019.

• Candidate Handbooks: Detailed Candidate Handbooks, which include eligibility requirements, content outlines, and sample questions for each program, are now available for download on our website.

• Testing Window: The inaugural testing window for the CSCP, CNSCP, CMSO, and CMTMS examinations will take place from December 1, 2019, to January 15, 2020.

This is more than a new set of certifications; it is a new standard of excellence for the essential work you do every day. We encourage you to review the requirements, prepare to demonstrate your expertise, and take the next step in your professional journey.

The Leadership Team, Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS)