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To be eligible, all candidates must hold a relevant pharmacy degree (e.g., Pharm.D.), possess an active and unrestricted license to practice, and agree to the CPS Code of Conduct. Additionally, you must meet a specialty experience requirement, which can be satisfied through practice experience or waived by completing a recognized program like a residency. Please see our full Eligibility & Exam Fees page for a detailed breakdown.

The Initial Certification Fee is $4395, covering both the non-refundable application processing fee and the examination administration. For a full list of all potential fees (e.g., retake, recertification), please visit our Deadlines, Fees & Periods page.

You will need to upload PDF copies of your proof of education (diploma/transcript), proof of licensure, and a current resume or CV. Depending on your eligibility pathway, an Experience Verification Form or a certificate of completion from a relevant program may also be required. See the How to Apply page for details.

The review process typically takes 10-15 business days after your complete application and payment are submitted. You will be notified of the outcome via email and your online Candidate Portal.

To provide a more flexible and secure experience, all CPS exams are delivered exclusively via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). We no longer use physical test centers. This allows you to test from your home or office. You can learn more on our Testing Methods page.

You can schedule your exam as soon as you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) email. Your eligibility to test is valid for 365 days from your application approval date. We recommend scheduling promptly to ensure the best selection of dates and times.

If you are disconnected, you should immediately contact our technical support to attempt reconnection. If you cannot be reconnected, the policy depends on exam exposure. If you saw less than 10% of the exam, you may be rescheduled within your window. If you saw more, a 45-day waiting period applies before you can be rescheduled.

Yes, you can reschedule your exam by contacting us. Fees may apply depending on how much notice you provide. Please consult the fee schedule on the Deadlines, Fees & Periods page for details on rescheduling and cancellation policies.

Each candidate taking the exam is judged against a predetermined standard, not against other candidates. This standard is set by a committee of subject matter experts working with testing specialists to ensure the exam is valid, reliable, and legally defensible. We use scaled scoring for all exam forms. For more information, please see the other questions in this section.

A scaled score is a score that has been mathematically transformed from a raw score (the number of correct answers) to a standardized scale. For every possible raw score, there is a corresponding scaled score. This is similar to converting from pounds to kilograms; the weight doesn’t change, only the units being reported. This allows the passing score to remain the same for all versions of the exam.

Scaled scores allow for fair and direct comparisons across different versions (forms) of the exam. While all forms follow the same blueprint, they can have minor differences in difficulty. Comparing raw scores would not be fair to all candidates. Scaled scoring accounts for these differences and reports all results on the same standardized scale, ensuring fairness.

The passing score represents the minimum level of competency required to pass. It is determined by a committee of subject matter experts using an established psychometric method (such as the Angoff method). This level of competency is then maintained on future exam forms through a statistical process called equating.

Official results will be emailed to candidates approximately six to eight weeks from the close of the testing window. Please note that to ensure confidentiality, scores will only be released to the candidate's email address on file with CPS and will not be sent to employers or other organizations.

To maintain our high psychometric standards, CPS uses a process of statistical equating to set the passing standard. Because equating requires data from all candidates in a testing window to ensure fairness and accuracy, scores cannot be released until after the testing window has closed and all data has been analyzed.

Our exams are protected by copyright and professional standards. To protect the integrity of the exam and ensure fairness to all future candidates, specific exam questions and answers are not shared with anyone.

Candidates who do not pass may reapply after a 45-day waiting period. Please review our Retest Policy for details. Also, check if you qualify for our Second Chance FREE Promotion!

CPS has embraced digital credentialing. Those who pass their certification exams will receive a digital badge from Credly, our digital badge platform. You can add this badge to your online profiles and email signatures. From the Credly platform, you will also be able to download a PDF of your certificate to print at your convenience.

Upon successful certification, you may use the designated credential abbreviation (e.g., CPOM) after your name. The use of this credential signifies your commitment to the highest standards of pharmacy practice and must adhere to the CPS Code of Conduct.

To maintain your CPS certification, you must hold an active, unrestricted pharmacy license, complete the required number of Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) hours within your three-year cycle, submit a maintenance application online, and pay all required fees. For a detailed breakdown, please consult the Renewal Handbook.

Your maintenance application and all required Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) must be submitted by the end of your three-year certification cycle. Your specific due date can be found in your Candidate Portal. We recommend submitting at least 30 days prior to your deadline to ensure timely processing.

Certificants are required to complete 30 hours of Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) within their three-year cycle. These hours must be specific to the content outline of your specialty certification. CPE must be from providers accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).

There is a maintenance fee of $250, due by your certification anniversary date each year every three years. The maintenance application, submitted at the end of your three-year cycle, has a non-refundable processing fee of $150. Please see our Deadlines, Fees & Periods page for a full schedule.

You can submit your maintenance application and log your CPE activities directly through your online Candidate Portal. The "Add/Track Your CPE" feature allows you to enter activities as you complete them. You will need to provide official documentation, such as certificates of completion, for all claimed activities.

Yes. In addition to ACPE-accredited CPE, you can earn credit for other educational activities such as precepting students or residents, presenting, publishing peer-reviewed articles, authoring textbook chapters, or completing relevant academic coursework. Please refer to the Renewal Handbook for specific details on how to calculate and document these activities.

If you hold multiple CPS certifications, your maintenance cycle is aligned with your first certification's due date. The total number of required CPE hours may be increased. However, CPE hours that are applicable to more than one specialty can be counted toward the requirements for each, preventing you from having to double the hours.

Yes, CPS offers an emeritus status for certificants who are fully retired from the practice of pharmacy but wish to maintain a formal connection to their specialty. To be eligible, you must have held an active certification for at least two consecutive maintenance cycles. This status does not permit you to practice as a certified professional.

Your Credential ID (e.g., CPS-12345) can be found in your Candidate Portal and on all official correspondence from CPS, including your Authorization to Test (ATT) email and your official certificate.

You can reset your password by visiting the Candidate Portal login page and clicking the "Forgot Password?" link. An email with instructions will be sent to the address on file.

You can update your contact information, including your address and phone number, at any time through your Candidate Portal profile. To request a legal name change, please contact support and be prepared to provide official documentation.