What Are the Pass Rates for BPS Exams? — Blog | PACU
Board Prep 8 min read

What Are the Pass Rates for BPS Exams?

Uncovering the success rates of board certification exams for specialty pharmacists — including BCCCP, BCPS, and seven other BPS specialties.

JP

Jimmy Pruitt, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP

Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

January 3, 2023 8 min

Introduction

Are you considering a career in specialty pharmacy? If so, it is important to understand the pass rates of board certification exams for this field. Board-certified specialty pharmacy certifications offer pharmacists additional training and expertise in specific areas of practice. In this article, we will explore the overall and first-time pass rates for Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP) and Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). We will also provide useful information to help you understand the importance of obtaining specialty pharmacy certification.

BCCCP Pass Rate

73%

Overall pass rate · 82% first-time

BCPS Pass Rate

63%

Overall pass rate · 72% first-time

1

Pass Rates

In this administration window, a total of 2,757 out of 4,272 examinees were successful in one of thirteen certification examinations or nine recertification examinations.

  • Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP) has a pass rate of 73% and a first-time pass rate of 82% in the most recent examination period.
  • Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) has a pass rate of 63% and a first-time pass rate of 72% in the most recent examination period.

These results demonstrate that pharmacists who take the relevant exams are generally successful, though they may require additional preparation depending on their field.

The statistics indicate that the exams are not easy and require a significant amount of preparation. Pharmacists should consider taking additional courses or engaging in self-study to ensure they pass the certification examinations with flying colors. Additionally, pharmacists should have experience working in their respective field before taking any board certification exam in order to better prepare themselves for the exams.

Pro Tip

It is recommended that pharmacists research the requirements for their respective certifications and begin preparing at least 3–6 months before the examination date.

2

The Benefits of Obtaining Board-Certified Specialty Pharmacy Certification

Becoming board-certified in a specialty field of pharmacy has many advantages. For example, pharmacists who are certified may receive higher salaries and better job opportunities. They can also help patients manage their medications more effectively and provide improved care. Furthermore, being certified is an important step to advancing one’s career and becoming a leader in the field.

Higher Salaries

Certified pharmacists often command higher compensation packages.

Better Job Opportunities

Board certification opens doors to advanced clinical positions.

Improved Patient Care

Help patients manage medications more effectively with specialized knowledge.

Career Advancement

An important step to becoming a leader in the pharmacy field.

3

Other Pass Rates

Below are the overall pass rates for all BPS specialty certification examinations from the September/October 2022 administration window.

Certification Abbreviation Pass Rate
Board-Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacist BCNSP 93%
Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacist BCCCP 73%
Board-Certified Infectious Diseases Pharmacist BCIDP 73%
Board-Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist BCPPS 66%
Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist BCPS 63%
Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacist BCOP 57%
Board-Certified Cardiology Pharmacist BCCP 54%
Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist BCPP 52%
Board-Certified Transplant Pharmacist BCTXP 43%

Key Information

Pass rates vary significantly across specialties — from 93% for Nutrition Support (BCNSP) down to 43% for Transplant (BCTXP). Choose your study strategy and timeline based on the difficulty level of your target certification.

Conclusion

Key Takeaway

Specialty pharmacy certifications open up new opportunities for those with the dedication to pursue them. Start preparing 3–6 months before exam day and leverage structured review courses to maximize your chances of success.

Specialty pharmacy certifications open up new opportunities to those who have the dedication and commitment to pursue them. With a pass rate of 73% for Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacists (BCCCP) and 63% for Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialists (BCPS), pharmacists who take the relevant exams are generally successful.

Becoming certified provides numerous benefits such as higher salaries, better job opportunities, and improved patient care. Pharmacists should take the time to research the requirements for their respective certifications and begin preparing at least 3–6 months before the examination date in order to maximize their chances of success.

With dedication, any pharmacist can achieve board certification status in a specialty field of pharmacy.

References

  1. Board of Pharmacy Specialties. September/October 2022 BPS Certification and Recertification Examination Results. Published December 6, 2022.
JP

Written By

Jimmy Pruitt, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP

Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Dr. Pruitt is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and critical care pharmacist who specializes in emergency medicine clinical pharmacy. He is passionate about helping pharmacists advance their careers through board certification and evidence-based education.

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