How to Maintain your BCEMP

Make BCEMP Easy as ABC: A Guide to Re-Certifying for BCEMPs

Are you looking for ways to maintain your Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist® (BCEMP) certification? BPS offers a range of options, including taking the recertification exam every seven years and completing approved professional development activities. There are plenty of opportunities available for BCEMPs who want to stay up-to-date and ahead of the curve in their field. Read on to learn more about how you can keep your BCEMP Certification current through continuing education or examination.

BCEMP Recertification Exam

 BPS requires that BCEMPs complete either a recertification exam every seven years or participate in BPS-approved activities in order to maintain their certification status. 

• The recertification exam is 100 questions and has 75 questions dedicated to patient care/management, 15 questions dedicated to practice management, and 10 questions dedicated to education and research.
• The total length of the exam is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

The advantage to this method is that BCEMPs will not have to purchase continued education credits and pass those exams and potentially be cost-saving. The disadvantage is that by not consistently utilizing the CE courses, some BCEMPs could fall behind in specific practice areas that may have changed over the years. 

Completing Approved Professional Development Activities

In addition to taking the recertification exam every seven years, BPS also offers approved professional development activities that BCEMPs can complete in order to maintain their certification status.

In terms of BPS-approved professional development activities, BCEMPs can acquire at least 100 hours of credit every seven years.

• BPS offers a variety of BPS-approved programs, including self-directed learning activities, live or virtual lectures/presentations, online courses and seminars, and BC EMP workshops.
• All BPS approved credits must be reported in the BPS certification database which is accessible to all pharmacists.

The advantage to this method is that it allows BCEMPs to stay current on any changes in the field without having to take the recertification exam every seven years. Additionally, BPS-approved activities are BPS’s way to recognize the knowledge and skills its certified professionals have developed over time. The disadvantage is that there may be added costs associated with purchasing CE credits for some activities and BCEMPs may need to take more time out of their already busy schedules for these activities.

Through BPS’s recertification process, pharmacists have the opportunity to stay up-to-date and remain certified Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacists® (BCEMP). Whether you opt to take the recertification exam every seven years or pursue BPS-approved activities, there are plenty of options available that can help you maintain your BCEMP certification status. With BPS’s resources and guidance, pharmacists can stay competitive in their profession while remaining at the forefront of patient care.