680-X-2-.36 CONTINUING EDUCATION for PHARMACISTS
*PLEASE SEE FOOTNOTE FOR BOARD POLICY CHANGES TO THIS CURRENT RULE*
*Per Board policy, CE requirements have changed to 30 hours every 2 years, with 6 of those hours being live.
- Pharmacists shall complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education every year as a condition of licensure renewal. By submitting the biennial renewal, a pharmacist is representing their compliance with this requirement by the end of the relevant calendar year.*
- In order to receive credit for continuing education, the continuing education shall be previously approved by the Board. Any requests for approval of continuing education shall be submitted to the Board no less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to offering of the continuing education. A condition of approval shall be that the continuing education is pertinent to the practice of pharmacy. However, this requirement shall not apply to ACPE approved continuing education courses for which a program number is available
- Continuing Education may be completed by either attendance or by distance based program, video or by publications; however, a pharmacist must complete at least three (3) hours of live continuing education through attendance at a course(s).*
- It is the responsibility of each pharmacist to maintain and compile accurate records relating to all continuing education courses or activities they have attended and completed. It shall be the responsibility of each pharmacist to maintain above described documentation and information pertaining to each year for a period of two (2) years and this information shall be submitted to the Board of Pharmacy within thirty (30) calendar days after a request for the same by the Board.
- The Board of Pharmacy shall randomly audit the continuing education documentation or information to be maintained or submitted by each pharmacist as described herein to assure compliance with these rules. Failure to maintain the documentation or information set forth in these rules or the submission of false or misleading information or documentation to the Board of Pharmacy or failure to submit requested documentation or information within the time specified by the Board may subject the pharmacist, after hearing, to those penalties outlined in Code of Alabama 1975 §34-23-33.
- Upon written request to the Board of Pharmacy, and upon the demonstration of good and sufficient cause, the Board of Pharmacy may grant a waiver or extension of time for the completion of the annual hour requirements for continuing education as set forth herein. The pharmacist who seeks such a waiver or extension shall submit to the Board of Pharmacy any documentation required by the Board which the Board deems appropriate for it to make a decision concerning that waiver or extension.
- Any pharmacist who allows their license to lapse for a minimum of one (1) calendar year but not more than five (5) calendar years, shall be required as a condition for reinstatement to provide documentation of their completion of fifteen (15) hours of continuing education in the manner prescribed above for each lapsed calendar year. If a license is lapsed for more than five (5) calendar years, in addition to the examination requirement set forth in Code of Alabama 1975 §34-23-52, the Board may require as a condition for reinstatement any amount of continuing education deemed appropriate.
*Per Board policy, CE requirements have changed to 30 hours every 2 years, with 6 of those hours being live.
OBTAINING A CPE MONITOR NUMBER
Electronic transmission of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) data is now live through the CPE Monitor™ service. Nearly 50 Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited CPE providers have already transitioned their systems to transmit data and are now requiring licensees to submit their National Association Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) e-Profile ID and date of birth in order to obtain CPE credit.
It is important that licensees set up their e-Profiles and obtain their e-Profile IDs if they have not done so already in order to avoid delays in CPE recording and ensure a seamless transition to electronic tracking. All ACPE-accredited CPE providers require the eProfile ID along with each licensee's date of birth in order to receive credit for ACPE accredited CPE activities. Licensees will also have the capability to print a statement from their NABP e-Profile containing the CPE data transmitted to NABP by ACPE for licensing jurisdictions that may require paper documentation to be submitted.
CLICK HERE to register for a CPE monitor and e-Pofile.
It is important that licensees set up their e-Profiles and obtain their e-Profile IDs if they have not done so already in order to avoid delays in CPE recording and ensure a seamless transition to electronic tracking. All ACPE-accredited CPE providers require the eProfile ID along with each licensee's date of birth in order to receive credit for ACPE accredited CPE activities. Licensees will also have the capability to print a statement from their NABP e-Profile containing the CPE data transmitted to NABP by ACPE for licensing jurisdictions that may require paper documentation to be submitted.
CLICK HERE to register for a CPE monitor and e-Pofile.
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Auburn University. Harrison School of Pharmacy
- Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- APA
- Alabama Pharmacy Association (APA), offers continuing education programs for pharmacists and technicians, and members take a leading role in lobbying for pharmacy at the state and national level.
- Rx School
- Opportunities for free, live, ACPE approved continuing education.
- NCPA
- Contains continuing education from America's Pharmacist. Allows for electronic submission or you can download the information and fax or mail it to them.
- Drug Topics
- Provides continuing education from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. Allows for electronic filing or the material may be printed off and mailed or faxed. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader for downloading.
- Pharmacy Times
- Accredited by ACPE, Pharmacy Times Office of Continuing Professional Education (PTOCPE) provides accredited live and home-study CE activities. Many of PTOCPE’s activities are no fee and cover a wide range of topics. Sign up for a PTOCPE account and receive monthly updates to help keep you informed of the latest information for today’s practicing pharmacist.
- The National Diabetes Education Program
- Now offering continuing education credits for healthcare professionals through the Better Diabetes Care website. It is excellent information and a great opportunity. A $10 fee will cover up to 10 CE/CME per year.
- American Council on Pharmaceutical Education State Search
- Pharmacist Letter
- Provides ACPE accredited CE for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the U.S. and Canada.