Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board™ (SPCB™) Establishes Code of Conduct, Eligibility Requirements and Fees for Certified Specialty Pharmacist™ (CSP™) Program

TAMPA, Fla., May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board™ (SPCB™) announced today that it has established essential policies for the Certified Specialty Pharmacist™ (CSP™) credential including the code of conduct, eligibility requirements, recertification requirements and fees.

"Specialty pharmacists are responsible for maintaining medications that are often crucial for a patient's life," Nick Calla, RPh, Vice President of Industry Relations for Community Specialty Pharmacy Network and member of the SPCB Board of Directors, said. "Certified Specialty Pharmacists have an ethical obligation to serve their patients while advocating for their profession and managing pharmacy products and services in a fiscally responsible manner."

SPCB reviewed a variety of sources, including position statements published by a variety of pharmacy associations, to develop the CSP Code of Conduct. All applicants agree to the Code of Conduct as a condition of certification and recertification. Violation of any portion of the Code may result in disciplinary action.

Additionally, candidates must also meet the recently approved eligibility requirements to ensure they have the necessary knowledge, education, and skill to provide specialty pharmacy services.  The eligibility requirements for the CSP™ exam include: 

1. BSPharm, RPh, or PharmD
2. Current, active Rx license in good standing the US
3. No previous history of felony records or State Board suspensions
4. Continuing Education: Complete 30 hours of Specialty Pharmacy continuing education in the previous two years. All continuing education hours must be related to topics included on the CSP™ examination content outline. Continuing education must be ACPE approved and/or provided by NASP approved providers.
5. Experience: 3,000 hours of Specialty Pharmacy practice in the previous three years
6. Code of Conduct attestation
7. Passing score on the CSP™ examination

The examination application fee for the certification is $550 and the recertification fee is $250. Recertification will be due every two years and will include:

1. Continual maintenance of active US pharmacy license in good standing
2. No previous history of felony records or State Board suspensions
3. Completion of individualized learning path questionnaire, designed to inform and direct the professional development activities
4. 30 professional development
5. Code of Conduct attestation

"These policies represent the framework of the process to earn the CSP™ credential, allowing specialty pharmacists the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skill to employers, colleagues and patients," Gary M. Cohen, BSPharm, RPh, SPCB Interim Executive Director, said.

The SPCB™, launched in 2012, is an independent, not-for-profit entity whose sole mission is the certification of professionals who meet specific eligibility requirements and pass a rigorous assessment instrument. The SPCB™ is independent from any trade or professional association. The SPCB™ is dedicated to promoting the specialty pharmacist's unique responsibility, maintaining the highest quality standards, and advocating for professional development to ensure that specialty patients receive appropriate care now and in the future. The goal of the CSP™ program is to assure the general public receives care from qualified, educated, and knowledgeable specialty pharmacists. 

Media Contact:

Gary Cohen, National Association of Specialty Pharmacy, 813-416-5300, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Association of Specialty Pharmacy