Top 11 Pharmacy Supervisor Certifications

Certifications can be a great way for pharmacy supervisors to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the job market. Many employers require certifications as proof of qualifications and to ensure that candidates have the necessary training and experience to take on a supervisory role. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual has taken the initiative to obtain additional knowledge and education in their field, which is highly valued. Furthermore, certifications are often required by state boards or organizations, so having them can make it easier for pharmacy supervisors to find work in their desired locations.

This article reviews the top certifications available to pharmacy supervisors and explains how they can help advance their careers.

What are Pharmacy Supervisor Certifications?

Pharmacy Supervisor Certification is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of pharmacy supervisors. This certification indicates that the individual has met the standards set by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) for pharmacy supervisors. It verifies that the supervisor understands and can apply current regulations, laws, policies, and procedures relevant to pharmacy practice.

The certification can help pharmacy supervisors demonstrate their professional qualifications and credibility to employers, colleagues, and clients. It also provides assurance to patients that their medications are being managed by qualified professionals. By obtaining certification, a supervisor demonstrates a commitment to professional development and enhances their ability to provide safe and effective care in all aspects of the profession.

In addition, having this certification may help advance one’s career opportunities in retail or institutional settings due to its recognition as an important credential among employers. With this certification, supervisors may be able to command higher salaries or more responsibility within organizations where they work.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements for pharmacy supervisor certification in your state, as there may be specific regulations or certifications required to become a certified pharmacy supervisor. Additionally, it is important to stay up-to-date on any changes in laws or regulations regarding pharmacy supervision so that you can provide the best service possible to your customers.

Related: What does a Pharmacy Supervisor do?

Top 11 Pharmacy Supervisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Pharmacy Supervisors today.

1. Certified Pharmacy Supervisor (CPS)

Certified Pharmacy Supervisor (CPS) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). It is designed to recognize pharmacists who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in pharmacy management, operations, and supervision. The CPS certification is valid for three years and requires renewal every three years to maintain the credential.

To become certified as a CPS, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a current license to practice pharmacy in at least one jurisdiction, completing at least two years of full-time pharmacy practice experience within the past five years, and passing the NABP's Certified Pharmacy Supervisor Examination. The examination consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that assess an individual's knowledge and understanding of pharmacy management topics.

The cost for the CPS certification is $400 for NABP members and $500 for non-members. This fee covers the application fee, examination fee, and any other related costs associated with obtaining the certification.

2. Certified Pharmacy Technician Supervisor (CPTS)

A Certified Pharmacy Technician Supervisor (CPTS) is a certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of pharmacy technicians who have achieved a higher level of expertise in their field. The CPTS certification is designed to demonstrate a technician’s ability to manage and supervise pharmacy staff, as well as provide safe and effective medication services.

The CPTS certification requires passing an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as pharmacology, drug distribution, patient safety, compounding, inventory management, and legal and ethical issues. Candidates must have at least two years of experience working in a pharmacy setting prior to taking the exam.

The cost for the exam is $195 for NHA members or $295 for non-members. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your CPTS certification which is valid for two years. You can renew your certification by completing 20 hours of continuing education every two years.

3. Certified Retail Pharmacy Supervisor (CRPS)

Certified Retail Pharmacy Supervisor (CRPS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a retail pharmacy setting. The CRPS program is administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).

The CRPS certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical experience component. The online exam covers topics such as pharmacy law, ethics, business operations, customer service, and medication safety. After passing the online exam, candidates must complete at least one year of full-time or two years of part-time work experience in a retail pharmacy setting.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CRPS certification process. Candidates must register for the exam through NABP's website and pay an application fee of $175. Once registered, candidates can take up to three attempts to pass the online exam within one year. If all three attempts are unsuccessful, applicants must wait one year before taking the exam again.

The cost for taking the CRPS certification exam is $175 plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee covers both the registration and examination fees. Additional costs may be incurred if additional attempts are needed to pass the exam or if additional resources are required during preparation for the examination.

4. Certified Compounding Pharmacy Supervisor (CCPS)

Certified Compounding Pharmacy Supervisor (CCPS) is a certification program offered by the Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA). It is designed to provide pharmacists with the knowledge and skills necessary to supervise compounding operations in a pharmacy setting. The CCPS certification requires pharmacists to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of compounding principles, techniques, and regulations.

The CCPS certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical assessment. The online exam covers topics such as compounding techniques, regulations, safety protocols, quality assurance, and more. The practical assessment consists of a hands-on evaluation of the pharmacist’s ability to safely compound medications.

To become certified as a CCPS, pharmacists must first complete the online exam and then pass the practical assessment with a score of 80% or higher. The entire process typically takes about four weeks from start to finish.

The cost for the CCPS certification is $495 for PCCA members and $595 for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials, the online exam, and the practical assessment.

5. Certified Clinical Pharmacy Supervisor (CCPS)

Certified Clinical Pharmacy Supervisor (CCPS) is a certification program offered by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The CCPS is a credential that recognizes pharmacists with advanced training and experience in pharmacy practice management. It is designed to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively lead and manage a clinical pharmacy practice.

To become certified as a CCPS, applicants must have completed an ASHP-accredited residency program or have at least five years of full-time equivalent clinical pharmacy experience in an acute care setting. They must also pass an examination administered by ASHP. The exam covers topics such as leadership, quality improvement, medication safety, personnel management, and financial management.

The process of becoming certified typically takes about six months from start to finish. To get started, applicants must submit an application for certification along with the required fee ($400 for members of ASHP; $600 for non-members). Once their application has been approved, they can register for the certification exam. After passing the exam, they will receive their certification within four to six weeks.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether or not you are a member of ASHP. For members, the total cost is $400 plus any applicable taxes or fees; for non-members it is $600 plus any applicable taxes or fees.

6. Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Ambulatory Care Supervision (BCACP-S)

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Ambulatory Care Supervision (BCACP-S) is a certification offered by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). This certification is designed to recognize pharmacists who have met the highest standards of practice and demonstrate expertise in ambulatory care supervision. The BCACP-S certification recognizes pharmacists who are able to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care to patients in an ambulatory setting.

In order to obtain the BCACP-S certification, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college or school of pharmacy.

2. Have completed two years of postgraduate residency training or equivalent experience in ambulatory care supervision.

3. Have passed the BCACP-S examination administered by APhA.

4. Be licensed as a pharmacist in at least one state or jurisdiction in the United States or its territories.

5. Maintain current licensure and complete continuing education requirements as outlined by APhA for recertification every five years.

It typically takes about four months from application submission to receive notification that you have passed the examination and have been certified as a BCACP-S pharmacist. The cost for taking this exam is $400 for APhA members and $500 for nonmembers, plus any applicable taxes and fees associated with registering for the exam.

7. Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Oncology Supervision (BCOP-S)

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Oncology Supervision (BCOP-S) is a certification program designed to recognize the specialized knowledge and skills required by pharmacists who provide supervision in oncology practice. This certification is offered by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS), which is the leading organization for certifying pharmacists in the United States.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having an active pharmacy license, completing at least two years of post-graduate experience in oncology pharmacy practice, and passing a comprehensive examination. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as clinical pharmacotherapy, drug information/medication safety, health care economics/pharmacy administration, and patient care management.

The process to obtain BCOP-S certification typically takes about six months from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete all necessary paperwork and submit their application materials to BPS for review. Once approved, applicants will be scheduled to take the exam at a designated testing center. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether you are a member of BPS or not; non-members pay $1,000 while members pay $750.

After successfully passing the exam, applicants will receive their BCOP-S certification and can use it to demonstrate their expertise in providing supervision in oncology practice.

8. Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Psychiatric Supervision (BCPP-S)

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Psychiatric Supervision (BCPP-S) is a certification program that recognizes pharmacists who have achieved advanced levels of knowledge, skills, and experience in providing psychiatric supervision services. This certification is offered by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

To be eligible for the BCPP-S certification, applicants must have completed an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy degree program and must have at least two years of post-graduate clinical experience in the practice of pharmacy. Applicants must also pass a written examination that tests their knowledge and understanding of psychiatric supervision principles and practices.

The BCPP-S certification process typically takes about six months to complete. During this time, applicants will need to submit all required documents, including an application form, official transcripts from their PharmD program, proof of professional liability insurance coverage, and a copy of their current license to practice pharmacy. They will also need to register for and successfully pass the written exam.

The cost for obtaining the BCPP-S certification varies depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. Generally speaking, most applicants can expect to pay between $500-$1,000 in total fees associated with the application process and taking the written examination.

9. Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Geriatric Supervision (BCGP-S)

The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certification in Geriatric Supervision (BCGP-S) is a certification program for pharmacists who specialize in geriatric care. The program was developed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and is designed to recognize those pharmacists who have achieved excellence in the field of geriatric care.

The BCGP-S certification requires that applicants complete a minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice, as well as pass a comprehensive written examination. Upon successful completion of these requirements, the applicant will receive their BCGP-S certification.

To become certified, applicants must first submit an application to ASHP and pay an application fee. Applicants must also provide proof of their supervised practice hours and submit official transcripts from an accredited pharmacy school. Once all required materials have been submitted, applicants can take the BCGP-S exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

Once the exam has been completed, applicants will receive their results within two weeks. If they pass the exam, they will be awarded their BCGP-S certification and may begin practicing as a certified geriatric pharmacist.

The cost for becoming certified through the BCGP-S program varies depending on where you live and which organization you are applying through. Generally speaking, it costs between $400-$600 to apply for this certification, including fees for submitting your application materials and taking the exam.

10. American Society of Health System Pharmacists Certification in Medication Therapy Management Supervision (MTMS-S)

The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) Certification in Medication Therapy Management Supervision (MTMS-S) is a certification program designed to recognize pharmacists who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to provide medication therapy management services in a variety of settings. The MTMS-S certification is intended for pharmacists who are responsible for providing direct patient care and supervising other pharmacy personnel in the provision of medication therapy management services.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete the requirements for this certification. To become certified, you must meet eligibility requirements, pass an exam, and submit an application with supporting documentation. Eligibility requirements include having an active pharmacist license, completing at least 1 year of full-time practice experience as a pharmacist within the last 5 years, and completing 30 hours of continuing education related to medication therapy management within the last 3 years.

The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on whether or not you are an ASHP member. For non-members, it costs $300 to apply for the exam and $400 for the exam itself. For members, it costs $200 to apply for the exam and $300 for the exam itself.

Once certified, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in providing medication therapy management services to patients and employers alike. This certification can help you advance your career by opening up new opportunities in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agencies and more.

11. American College of Clinical Pharmacy Certification in Advanced Practice Management Supervision (APMS-S).

The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Certification in Advanced Practice Management Supervision (APMS-S) is a certification program that recognizes pharmacists who have achieved advanced professional competence in the management and supervision of pharmacy practice. The certification demonstrates a pharmacist’s commitment to excellence in the management and supervision of pharmacy practice.

The APMS-S certification is valid for five years, after which time the pharmacist must recertify by completing continuing education requirements and passing an examination. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human resources, financial management, legal aspects of pharmacy practice, and other topics related to advanced practice management.

To be eligible for the APMS-S certification, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must hold a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college or university; have completed two years of postgraduate pharmacy residency training; have at least two years of experience as a practicing pharmacist; and have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education related to advanced practice management within the past three years.

The cost for the APMS-S certification exam is $400 for ACCP members or $500 for nonmembers. In addition to the cost of the exam, there may also be additional fees associated with submitting applications and obtaining study materials.

Do You Really Need a Pharmacy Supervisor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For those who are looking to take their career in pharmacy to the next level, a pharmacy supervisor certificate may be beneficial. This certificate demonstrates that the individual has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully manage a pharmacy. It can also be beneficial for those who want to move into a leadership position within the organization or advance their current role.

However, if an individual is content with their current role and does not see any need for advancement, then they may not need a pharmacy supervisor certificate. In this case, it may be more important for them to focus on continuing their education and gaining knowledge and experience in their field of expertise. Additionally, some employers may not require the certificate in order for someone to qualify for certain positions, so it is important to research what is required by each employer before investing time and money into obtaining one.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they need a pharmacy supervisor certificate as part of their career path. If they believe that having this certification will help them reach their professional goals, then it would be wise for them to pursue it. On the other hand, if they feel that obtaining this certificate is unnecessary or would take away from other areas of growth in their profession then they should consider other options instead.

Related: Pharmacy Supervisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Pharmacy Supervisor Certifications

1. What is a Pharmacy Supervisor Certification?

Answer: A Pharmacy Supervisor Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in managing pharmacy operations. It provides recognition of the skills required to effectively supervise and lead a pharmacy team.

2. Who should get a Pharmacy Supervisor Certification?

Answer: Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other healthcare professionals who are interested in advancing their careers in the field of pharmacy may benefit from obtaining a Pharmacy Supervisor Certification.

3. What topics are covered by the certification program?

Answer: The certification program covers topics such as medication safety, inventory management, personnel management, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and patient care standards.

4. How long does it take to complete the certification program?

Answer: The duration of the certification program depends on the individual’s prior experience and level of commitment to completing the coursework. Generally, it takes between 6-12 months to complete all requirements for the certification.

5. Is there any cost associated with obtaining this certification?

Answer: Yes, there is a fee associated with taking the certification exam and obtaining your certificate after successful completion of the exam.