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Certification path

BCPS recertification: two routes through the 7-year cycle

BCPS recertification runs on a 7-year cycle, and the year your cycle began decides the rules. For cycles that began on or after January 1, 2024, you either pass the recertification exam and report 20 units of continuing professional development (CPD), or earn 100 units, at least 80 of them assessed continuing pharmacy education (CPE) and up to 20 of CPD (BPS recertification guide, as of October 27, 2026).

Reviewed October 27, 2026

Contents · 7 sections
  1. 1Which rules apply to your cycle
  2. 2Choosing between the exam and continuing education
  3. 3The cycle, year by year
  4. 4Recertification fees
  5. 5Where the assessed CPE comes from
  6. 6Units, fees and cycles
  7. 7Sources

1Which rules apply to your cycle

≠ marks rows where the two differ.

Recertification options by cycle start date (BPS specifications and recertification guide, as of October 27, 2026).
RequirementCycle began 2024 or laterCycle began 2023 or earlier
Differs: Exam routePass the recertification exam and report 20 units of CPDPass the recertification exam
Differs: Continuing education route100 units: at least 80 assessed CPE units from ACCP or ASHP programs, plus up to 20 units of CPD120 units of assessed CPE from ACCP or ASHP programs
Cycle length7 years7 years
Recertification application$400$400

2Choosing between the exam and continuing education

CPE is the assessed component: programs with a test at the end that BPS accepts for BCPS recertification. CPD is a separate, smaller bucket, capped at 20 units on the education route. Under the 2024 rules you also report at least 2 units every year, so a cycle cannot be left until year 7.

Under the older rules the exam alone was enough. For cycles that began in 2024 or later it comes with 20 CPD units, so plan those even if you intend to test. In 2025, 147 of 220 candidates passed the BCPS recertification exam (66.8%, BPS 2025 results release, published January 28, 2026).

Your cycle starts when you first pass; the BCPS eligibility requirements cover how to get there.

3The cycle, year by year

  1. Year 1

    Cycle opens when you pass

    Your certification date starts the cycle and decides which rule set applies.

  2. Each year

    Report at least 2 units

    Required for cycles that began January 1, 2024 or later.

  3. Years 1 to 6, July 1

    Maintenance fee due

    One fee covers every BPS certification you hold.

  4. Year 7

    Apply to recertify

    For 2026, BPS set August 17 as the application deadline.

  5. Year 7, exam route

    Sit the recertification exam

    In 2026 the last day to sit was October 15.

4Recertification fees

Fees from the BPS dates and fees page, as of October 27, 2026.
FeeAmountWhen it applies
Annual maintenance$125Years 1 to 6, due July 1; $5 late fee
Recertification application$400Exam route or continuing education route
Recertification exam retake$200After a failed recertification exam

Source: BPS upcoming deadlines, dates and fees. Review-course prices are not listed because we could not verify them.

5Where the assessed CPE comes from

BPS names two providers whose assessed programs count toward BCPS recertification: the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). ACCP’s course is Updates in Therapeutics: Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Review and Recertification Course; ASHP runs the Pharmacotherapy Specialty Review and Recertification Course, live at its Midyear meeting and as online packages. BPS lists them for information and offers no prep course of its own.

Both courses also serve first-time candidates. The BCPS review course comparison sets out what we could verify about each, without the prices we could not confirm.

6Units, fees and cycles

How many CE units do I need for BCPS recertification?

For a cycle that began January 1, 2024 or later: 100 units, at least 80 of them assessed CPE from ACCP or ASHP programs and up to 20 units of CPD, with at least 2 units reported each year. A cycle that began in 2023 or earlier needs 120 units of assessed CPE (BPS recertification guide).

What does recertification cost?

$400 for the recertification application on either route and $200 to retake the recertification exam, on top of the $125 annual maintenance fee in years 1 to 6 (BPS dates and fees page).

Do I pay two maintenance fees if I hold two BPS certifications?

No. One $125 annual fee covers all of them (BPS dates and fees page).

7Sources

  1. BPS, BCPS Examination Specifications (effective September 2024). As of October 27, 2026.
  2. BPS, Recertification guide. As of October 27, 2026.
  3. BPS, Upcoming deadlines, dates and fees. As of October 27, 2026.
  4. BPS, Continuous testing 2025 results. As of October 27, 2026.

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