Introduction
Are you looking to advance your career as a pharmacist in the field of emergency medicine? BPS Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP) certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in this field and open up new opportunities for advancement.
To qualify for the BPS BCEMP exam, one must have at least four years of full-time experience in emergency medicine practice and/or residency training. In this article, we will provide an overview of the BPS BCEMP certification process, including requirements needed to qualify for the exam and tips for successful completion.
What You’ll Learn
- The core eligibility requirements for the BCEMP exam
- Three distinct pathways to qualify through practice experience
- Exam content areas and what BCEMP certification demonstrates
- Employer attestation requirements and the 50% rule
What Is BCEMP Certification?
Earning Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP) recognition can be a major milestone for those seeking to specialize in the field. Prospective candidates must meet all requirements listed before taking the initial certification exam, which will ultimately determine eligibility for board designation.
Passing this specialized examination is an opportunity to take your career and professional standing as an emergency medicine pharmacist one step further!
Key Information
BCEMP is one of the specialty certifications offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). It specifically validates a pharmacist’s advanced knowledge and competency in emergency medicine pharmacy practice.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for BPS Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP) certification, you must meet the following foundational criteria:
Pharmacy Education
Graduation from a pharmacy program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), or a program outside the U.S. that qualifies the individual to practice in their jurisdiction.
Active Licensure
A current, active license or registration to practice pharmacy in the United States or another jurisdiction.
Practice Experience
Qualifying practice experience in emergency medicine pharmacy (see the three pathways detailed in the next section).
Important
All three foundational requirements (A, B, and C) must be met before submitting your application. Incomplete applications will not be processed by BPS.
Practice Experience Pathways
There are three distinct pathways through which you can satisfy the practice experience requirement for the BCEMP exam. You only need to meet one of the following:
Direct Practice Experience
At least four years of full-time experience in emergency medicine practice and/or residency training, with at least 50% of time spent in the scope defined by the exam content outline.
PGY1 Residency + Practice Experience
Completion of a PGY1 pharmacy residency plus two years of Emergency Medicine Pharmacy practice experience, with at least 50% of time spent in the scope defined by the exam content outline.
PGY1 + PGY2 EM Residency
Successfully completing a PGY1 pharmacy residency plus completing an ASHP-accredited (or candidate status) PGY2 pharmacy residency in Emergency Medicine Pharmacy within the past seven years.
Pro Tip
Pathway 3 (PGY1 + PGY2 EM) is often the fastest route to eligibility. If you recently completed or are currently in an EM PGY2 residency, you may be eligible to sit for the exam sooner than you think.
Exam Content & Scope
Applicants must pass the BPS-approved BCEMP exam. The BCEMP assessment typically covers a range of topics essential to emergency medicine pharmacy practice:
- Pharmacology — Drug mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in the emergency setting
- Clinical Practice Guidelines — Evidence-based protocols and standard-of-care practices
- Therapeutic Decision-Making — Rapid assessment, triage, and medication management in acute situations
- Patient Safety & Medication Therapies — Safe and effective medication use in emergency care environments
Upon successful completion of the BPS BCEMP examination, individuals will be certified as BPS Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacists. This certification demonstrates expertise in providing safe and effective medication therapies and responding to complex clinical situations that may arise in an emergency care environment.
Exam Format
The BCEMP exam is a computer-based assessment administered at designated testing centers. Review the official BPS exam content outline for the most current list of topics and their weighting on the exam.
Employer Attestation & the 50% Rule
For any BPS certification examination, applicants who choose to demonstrate their eligibility through practice experience must have a valid employer attestation verifying that 50% of their time in activities related to that certification has been spent within 7 years prior to submitting an application.
This means your employer (or a designated supervisor) must formally confirm that you have spent at least half of your professional time engaged in emergency medicine pharmacy activities as defined by the BCEMP exam content outline.
Important
The employer attestation must be completed and submitted as part of your application. Plan ahead — coordinate with your supervisor early to ensure this documentation is ready before the application deadline.
Pro Tip
Keep a running log of your EM pharmacy activities throughout the year. This makes it much easier to demonstrate the 50% threshold and simplifies the attestation process for your employer.
Conclusion
Key Takeaway
BCEMP certification requires an ACPE-accredited pharmacy degree, active licensure, and qualifying practice experience through one of three pathways. Start planning your eligibility early to stay on track with application deadlines.
We hope this overview of the BPS BCEMP certification process has been useful for those looking to take their career as a pharmacist in the field of emergency medicine to the next level. BPS Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP) certification is a valuable credential that can open up new opportunities and help you stand out from the crowd.
Good luck with your BPS BCEMP examination journey!
Quick Reference: Eligibility at a Glance
Written By
Jimmy Pruitt, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Jimmy Pruitt is an Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and the founder of Pharmacy & Acute Care University (PACU). With board certifications in pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and critical care pharmacy (BCCCP), he is dedicated to helping pharmacists advance their careers through expert-led education and board certification preparation.
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