New Jersey Joint Board for Certification of Consultant Pharmacists

Recertification is required every two years.  The active CCP must provide proof of consulting activities within the past two years prior to certification.  For the pharmacist not in active practice, he/she must complete and pass a recertification examination, similar to the original certification examination.  This examination is provided by the Joint Board.

Certification is a highly regarded professional credential and is currently listed as an Advisory Standard in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ manual of Standards for Licensure of Long-term Care Facilities.

RE-CERTIFICATION

1. Eligibility - Only Certified Consultant Pharmacists (CCP’s) in good standing shall be eligible to apply for re-certification.  CCP’s who apply for re-certification must meet the full requirements as noted in this policy and procedure. 

1. Requirements

1. Applicants must certify that at least forty (40) hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits were successfully completed within two years prior to re-certification; ten (10) of which must be related to consultant pharmacy services.Any clinical CE's will count. Documentation of CE credits does not have to be submitted to the Board, however; random audits may occur for an applicant at the discretion of the Board.

ii. Applicants for re-certification shall submit one of the following:

• Evidence of work experience providing consultant pharmacist services

• If not functioning as a consultant, a re-certification examination must be completed and must be returned to the Board within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt.  A passing grade of 75% is required. 

1. Fees 

1. A non-refundable fee of $75.00 shall be submitted with the completed application for re-certification by April 30^th of the Bi-Annual renewal date.

1. A late fee of $100.00 will be assessed after April 30^th for a total of $175.00.

• Current NJJBCCP board members and non-voting past chairs will have their recertification fee waived.

1. Term – re-certification shall be for a period of two (2) years.   Applications for re-certification must be received by this Board no later than April 30th of each odd-numbered year. Re-certification shall be effective from May 1^st through April 30^th of each odd-numbered year. 

1. Lapses in certification of less than two (2) years

• A Certified Consultant Pharmacist who has not applied for re-certification for a period of less than two (2) years after the last certification cycle shall submit all of the following:

• Evidence of a currently valid State Board of Pharmacy license

• Evidence of a total of thirty (30) approved CE credits for each of the lapsed years.

• A fee of $175.00. (includes the $100 late fee)

1. Lapses in certification of more than two (2) years.

• A Certified Consultant Pharmacist who has not applied for re-certification for a period of more than two (2) years after the last certification cyclemust follow the requirements for certification as outlined in Section I of this Policy and Procedure.



Letter from the Chair

My Fellow Certified Consultant Pharmacists,

2021 brings us to another recertification period for your status as a Certified Consultant Pharmacist.  The Certification which we hold is a unique and highly regarded professional credential which is currently listed as an Advisory Standard in the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ manual of Standards for Licensure of Long Term Care Facilities. This valuable credential allows you to distinguish yourself within a subspecialty of clinical pharmacy practice.  This Certification is required by many employers to obtain and maintain employment.

With the emergence of COVID-19, 2020-2021 has been a challenge for everyone, especially those in the healthcare professions and particularly in the long term care arena.  Noting these challenges, the Joint Board has decided for this recertification period, we are waiving the recertification test requirement for those not considered “actively practicing as a consultant pharmacist”. This waiver is for this period only and we rely on the good faith and honor system of the Certificate holders to maintain proficiency and accurately report employment status. This does not waive any CE requirements which may still be audited.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Board has been unable to schedule any in person exams for new applicants. Moving forward, we hope to be able to accomplish this in 2021.

Additionally, we are in process of moving away from “mail in” recertification process. We have partnered with one of our stakeholders and permanent members, NJPhA, to be able to process our biannual re-certifications. This is for streamlining the process only and does not require any Certificate holder to pursue any other costs or memberships unless they desire to. No other change has occurred at the Joint Board.

Please be sure the Joint Board has your current and correct contact information. This will aid in the process and future communications. Please visit the Joint Board’s website at www.njccp.org for contacts, regulations, courses, links, and other useful up-to-date information. Feel free to contact the Board with any questions or suggestions on certification, re-certification or testing.      

Thank you and stay well.

Ed Rucki RP CCP BCGP FASCP

Past Chair, New Jersey Joint Board for Certification of Consultant Pharmacists