Our Commitment to Candidate Health and Safety Amidst COVID-19

The global community is currently facing an unprecedented public health challenge with the emergence and spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is a moment of significant uncertainty, and we understand that it is a source of considerable concern for individuals, families, and professionals around the world. As an organization dedicated to the healthcare community, we recognize that our first and most important responsibility is to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our candidates, our partners at testing centers, and our collective communities.

The leadership at the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS) has been monitoring this evolving situation around the clock. We want to speak to you—our valued candidates and certificants—directly and with complete transparency. This communication is to provide a clear update on the status of the upcoming Spring 2020 examination window and to detail the comprehensive measures we are implementing to navigate this challenge together.

Please know that every decision we make in the coming days and weeks will be guided by one unwavering principle: your health and safety are paramount. We are committed to approaching this situation with the utmost seriousness, flexibility, and empathy.

A Four-Pillar Commitment to Our Community

To ensure a structured and responsive approach, we have organized our efforts around a four-pillar commitment. This framework will guide our actions and communications as we move forward together through this fluid situation.

1. Continuous and Vigilant Monitoring

CPS has assembled a dedicated internal task force whose sole focus is to monitor the COVID-19 situation in real-time. This team is in constant review of updates and recommendations from leading public health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as guidance from federal, state, and local governments. All our policies and operational decisions will be made based on the expert guidance of these organizations to ensure we are acting responsibly and in accordance with the latest scientific and public health advice.

2. Enhanced Test Center Safety Protocols

For our candidates, the physical testing center is a key part of the certification journey. We are in constant communication with our global testing administration partner to ensure that enhanced health and safety protocols are being rigorously implemented at all testing locations that remain open. These measures include:

• Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch surfaces, including check-in equipment, lockers, workstations, and writing instruments.

• Provision of hand sanitizer for candidates and staff.

• Reinforcement of hygiene best practices for all test center staff.

• Implementation of social distancing measures, which may include reducing the number of candidates in a testing room at any given time to ensure greater physical distance between workstations.

3. Unprecedented Flexibility for Candidates

We recognize that this is a time of immense personal and professional disruption. You may be facing illness, caring for loved ones, or simply feeling uncomfortable and anxious about sitting for an examination in the current environment. We understand and support you completely. To that end, CPS is immediately implementing the following temporary policy changes for all candidates registered for the Spring 2020 testing window:

• All rescheduling fees will be waived. Any candidate who wishes to postpone their examination may do so without incurring any financial penalty.

• Eligibility windows will be extended. We will work with every candidate affected by closures, illness, or other COVID-19 related disruptions to ensure they have an adequate extension to their testing eligibility window.

4. Transparent and Timely Communication

In a time of uncertainty, clear and frequent communication is vital. We are committed to keeping you fully informed. We have created a dedicated COVID-19 Resource Page on our website which will serve as the central source for all updates. We will be updating this page regularly and will notify you via email and our social media channels as new information becomes available. We promise to be as transparent as possible as the situation evolves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We know you have many questions, and we want to provide answers as clearly as possible.

Is the Spring 2020 testing window (May 1 – June 15) still happening? As of today, March 16th, we are proceeding with plans for the Spring 2020 testing window. Our partner test centers across the country currently remain open, except where mandated to close by local or state authorities. This situation is extremely dynamic, and we are preparing for any and all contingencies, including widespread closures.

What happens if my local test center closes? If a test center is forced to close, our testing partner will notify any affected candidates directly via email as soon as possible. If this happens to you, please do not worry. Your eligibility window will be automatically extended, and you will be able to reschedule your examination for a future date at no cost once the center reopens.

I am not comfortable going to a test center right now due to health concerns. What are my options? Your peace of mind comes first. We fully support any candidate who wishes to postpone their exam. As stated above, we are waiving all rescheduling fees. You can log into your account with our testing partner to select a new test date later in the year. We are working to add additional flexibility and dates to the calendar to accommodate these changes.

What should I do if I feel sick on my scheduled exam day? Under no circumstances should you go to a test center if you are feeling unwell, especially if you have a fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms. Please stay home. Your health and the health of the community are the top priority. Contact our candidate support team as soon as you are able, and we will work with you to reschedule your exam for a future date with no penalty.

What specific safety measures are being taken at the test centers? Our testing partner is following a strict regimen based on public health guidance. This includes thorough, regular cleaning of all surfaces, required hygiene protocols for staff, and providing disposable wipes and sanitizer. They are also actively working to implement social distancing measures, which includes seating candidates at appropriate distances from one another. We encourage you to also follow CDC guidelines for personal protection, such as frequent hand washing.

Are you considering other options like remote testing? This global challenge is forcing all credentialing bodies to re-evaluate traditional testing models. Please be assured that we are actively exploring all potential solutions to ensure the long-term continuity and accessibility of our certification programs, including innovative delivery models like live remote proctoring. Our immediate and urgent focus is on ensuring the safety and flexibility of our candidates for the Spring 2020 window. As we make progress on long-term solutions, we will be sure to share that information with you.

Where can I find the most up-to-date information from CPS? Please bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 Resource Page on the CPS website. This will be our official source for all updates, policy changes, and FAQs.

Moving Forward Together

We want to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible work being done by pharmacy professionals and all healthcare providers on the front lines of this crisis. You are, as always, an essential and trusted part of our public health infrastructure, and your dedication during this challenging time is an inspiration.

This is a situation without precedent in our lifetimes. There will be disruptions, and there are still many unknowns. But we are confident that by working together with patience, flexibility, and a shared commitment to the well-being of our community, we will navigate this challenge successfully. Thank you for your understanding and for the vital work you do every day.

Sincerely,

The President & CEO, Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS)