PharmacyContinuing Education

Section § 4231

Explanation

This law explains the requirements for pharmacists in California to complete continuing education for license renewal. Specifically, pharmacists need to complete 30 hours of courses, including at least one hour focused on cultural competency, which covers topics like health disparities and the impact of intersectionality on sexual identity. Renewal isn't required for the first renewal, but for subsequent renewals, if these requirements aren't met, a pharmacist's license will become inactive. Pharmacists can reactivate by fulfilling the education requirements and paying fees. This law takes effect on January 1, 2024.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(a) For purposes of this section, “cultural competency course” means a cultural competency and humility course that meets the following criteria:
(1)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(a)(1) The course focuses on patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, or queer, or who question their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
(2)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(a)(2) The course is approved from an accreditation agency approved by the board.
(3)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(a)(3) The course covers recognized health disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color.
(4)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(a)(4) The course contains elements demonstrating how sexual identity is directly impacted through intersectionality.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(b) The board shall not renew a pharmacist license unless the applicant submits proof satisfactory to the board that the applicant has successfully completed 30 hours of approved courses of continuing pharmacy education, including at least one hour of participation in a cultural competency course, during the two years preceding the application for renewal.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the board shall not require completion of continuing education for the first renewal of a pharmacist license.
(d)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(d) If an applicant for renewal of a pharmacist license submits the renewal application and payment of the renewal fee but does not submit proof satisfactory to the board that the licensee has completed 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education, the board shall not renew the license and shall issue the applicant an inactive pharmacist license. A licensee with an inactive pharmacist license issued pursuant to this section may obtain an active pharmacist license by paying the renewal fees due and submitting satisfactory proof to the board that the licensee has completed 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education.
(e)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(e) If, as part of an investigation or audit conducted by the board, a pharmacist fails to provide documentation substantiating the completion of continuing education as required in subdivision (b), the board shall cancel the active pharmacist license and issue an inactive pharmacist license in its place. A licensee with an inactive pharmacist license issued pursuant to this section may obtain an active pharmacist license by paying the renewal fees due and submitting satisfactory proof to the board that the licensee has completed 30 hours of continuing pharmacy education.
(f)CA Business & Professions Code § 4231(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.
cultural competency course pharmacist license renewal continuing pharmacy education

Section § 4232

Explanation

This law outlines the formats and topics for continuing education courses required for pharmacists. These courses can be delivered through various platforms like seminars and online classes, covering subjects important to pharmacy and health care, such as drug properties, disease treatment, and health care legislation. The courses might include topics like pharmacology, public health, and pharmacy management, similar to what is taught in accredited pharmacy schools.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 4232(a) The courses shall be in the form of postgraduate studies, institutes, seminars, lectures, conferences, workshops, extension studies, correspondence courses, and other similar methods of conveying continuing professional pharmacy education.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 4232(b) The subject matter shall be pertinent to the socioeconomic and legal aspects of health care, the properties and actions of drugs and dosage forms and the etiology, and characteristics and therapeutics of the disease state.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 4232(c) The subject matter of the courses may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: pharmacology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy administration, pharmacy jurisprudence, public health and communicable diseases, professional practice management, anatomy, histology, and any other subject matter as represented in curricula of accredited colleges of pharmacy.
pharmacology drug properties disease treatment

Section § 4232.5

Explanation

If a pharmacist wants to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances, which are drugs with a high potential for addiction, they must first complete an educational course about the addiction risks tied to these drugs. If they've taken this course within the past four years, they're already covered. This requirement took effect on July 1, 2022.

(a)CA Business & Professions Code § 4232.5(a) A pharmacist who, pursuant to any authority of this chapter, prescribes a Schedule II controlled substance, shall have completed an education course on the risks of addiction associated with the use of Schedule II drugs.
(b)CA Business & Professions Code § 4232.5(b) A pharmacist who has completed such a course within the last four years shall be deemed to have satisfied this requirement.
(c)CA Business & Professions Code § 4232.5(c) This section shall become operative July 1, 2022.
pharmacist prescription requirements Schedule II controlled substances addiction risk education

Section § 4233

Explanation

If you are recognized as an advanced practice pharmacist, you need to complete an extra 10 hours of continuing education every renewal period. These additional hours should be focused on topics related to your specific area of clinical practice, on top of other education requirements.

A pharmacist who is recognized as an advanced practice pharmacist shall complete 10 hours of continuing education each renewal cycle in addition to the requirements of Section 4231. The subject matter shall be in one or more areas of practice relevant to the pharmacist’s clinical practice.
advanced practice pharmacist continuing education renewal cycle

Section § 4234

Explanation

This law allows the board to make exceptions to the rules in cases of emergencies or hardships, following the purpose of the article.

The board may, in accordance with the intent of this article, make exceptions from the requirements of this article in emergency or hardship cases.
emergency cases hardship cases board exceptions