Continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activities are categorized into three types: knowledge, application, and practice. The CPE activity type(s) conducted should be consistent with the provider’s mission and appropriate to meet the identified pharmacist and/or pharmacy technician needs.

Types of CPE activities:

• Knowledge-based CPE activity: These CPE activities are primarily constructed to transmit knowledge (i.e., facts). The facts must be based on evidence as accepted in the literature by the health care professions. The minimum amount of credit for these activities is 15 minutes or 0.25 contact hour. As a reminder, all CPE activities on or after January 1, 2009 will need to be assigned to one of three activity types.

• Application-based CPE activity. These CPE activities are primarily constructed to apply the information learned in the time frame allotted. The information must be based on evidence as accepted in the literature by the health care professions. The minimum amount of credit for these activities is 60 minutes or one contact hour

• Practice-based CPE activity. [Previously named Certificate Programs in Pharmacy] These CPE activities are primarily constructed to instill, expand, or enhance practice competencies through the systematic achievement of specified knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance behaviors. The information within the practice-based CPE activity must be based on evidence as accepted in the literature by the health care professions. The formats of these CPE activities should include a didactic component (live and/or home study) and a practice experience component (designed to evaluate the skill or application). The provider should employ an instructional design that is rationally sequenced, curricular based, and supportive of achievement of the stated professional competencies. The minimum amount of credit for these activities is 15 contact hours

Providers are encouraged to guide pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians to the best combination of CPE activity types to meet their learning, professional development, and practice needs.  Providers are not required to conduct all three activity types. A summary of the activity types is depicted below:

Please see the following documents for further information.

Accreditation Standards for Continuing Pharmacy Education
Effective January 1, 2009
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