CE & Accreditation >> California CE Regulations  February 04, 2012

California Continuing Education Requirements and Helpful Links

Pharmacist CE Requirement

Per California State Board of Pharmacy Regulations, pharmacists must complete 30 hours  of continuing pharmacy education (CE) every two years in order to renew their pharmacist license in California.  Reference section 4231 of the Business and Professions Code (page 84) and section 1732.5 of the California Code of Regulations (pages 149 - 150). 


Approved CE Coursework

CE coursework must pertain to the practice of pharmacy and be obtained from a provider who is recognized by one of the two accreditation agencies approved by the California State Board of Pharmacy: California Accreditation for Pharmacy Education (CAPE) or Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).  For more information, reference the continuing education sections of the Business and Professions Code (page 84) and the California Code of Regulations (pages 147 -150). 

Additionally, coursework that meets the standards of relevance to pharmacy practice and has been approved for continuing education by the Medical Board of California, the California Board of Podiatric Medicine, the California Board of Registered Nursing or the Dental Board of California is considered approved continuing education for pharmacists.  For more information about continuing education requirements, please visit the California State Board of Pharmacy’s website.


ACPE's "Target Audience Designators" (P vs. T)

ACPE-accredited providers are required to designate their CE programs with a “P” (pharmacist) or a “T” (pharmacy technician) based on the appropriateness of the content for each respective participant type. For example, if the content is at the level/scope of practice for a pharmacist, then a “P” designation will be added to the Universal Activity Number and if the content is at the level/scope of practice for a pharmacy technician, then a “T” designation will be added to the Universal Activity Number.   

According to ACPE, Pharmacy Technicians may attend CE programs that are at the level/scope of practice for a pharmacist and they can receive a Statement of Credit that reflects a “P” designation for such a course.  However, it is the Pharmacy Technician’s responsibility to contact the appropriate State Board and/or relicensure/recertification organization(s) regarding their specific policies for accepting “P vs. T” designations for credit.  Adapted from ACPE Provider eUpdate Vol 2 | No 3 (page 2).