California Board of Pharmacy | CE Requirements | Live Cert

Biennial Continuing Education Requirements

Cultural Competency Requirement

After January 1, 2024, pharmacists renewing their licenses will need to take a cultural competency CE course. Currently, the exact details of this requirement are being reviewed by the Board. Licensees are advised to visit the board website for more information.

Advance Practice Pharmacists CE Requirements

Advance Practice Pharmacists must earn 10 extra hours of continuing education during each renewal period for a total of 40 CE hours. These additional 10 hours of CE must focus on a subject matter relevant to the licensee’s clinical practice area.

CE Exemption for New Licensees

Newly licensed pharmacists are not obligated to complete continuing education during their initial renewal period. They will only be required to fulfill CE hours by the conclusion of their second renewal period.

To ensure compliance with CE requirements, the Board regularly performs random audits for both pharmacists and advance practice pharmacists. The Board does not have access to CE tracking/monitoring databases like NAPB’s CPE Activity Monitor, which means they cannot verify CE completion through those means. Hence, pharmacists and advance practice pharmacists must retain their CE completion certificates for a duration of four years.

In the event that you are chosen for a CE audit, you will receive a notification by mail, asking you to submit copies of your CE completion certificates to the Board. To ensure that you receive the audit request promptly, kindly keep your address of record up to date.

Article 17. Continuing Education 

4231. Requirements for Renewal of Pharmacist License: Clock Hours; Exemption for New Licensee 

(a)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 during the two years preceding the application for renewal. (b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the board shall not require completion of continuing education for the first renewal of a pharmacist license. (c)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. (d)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 (a), 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. (e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

4231. Requirements for Renewal of Pharmacist License: Clock Hours; Exemption for New Licensee 

(a) For purposes of this section, “cultural competency course” means a cultural competency and humility course that meets the following criteria: (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) The course is approved from an accreditation agency approved by the board. (3) The course covers recognized health disparities faced by Black, Indigenous, and people of color. (4) The course contains elements demonstrating how sexual identity is directly impacted through intersectionality. (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 leastone hour of participation in a cultural competency course, during the two years preceding the application for renewal. (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the board shall not require completion of continuing education for the first renewal of a pharmacist license. (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) 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) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024. 

4233. Advanced Practice Pharmacist; Continuing Education Requirement 

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.

The regulations provided are from the latest version of California’s Lawbook For Pharmacy as of August 2, 2023. Please refer to California’s Lawbook For Pharmacy for the most updated version of these regulations.

Pharmacists in California must complete 30 hours of CE per renewal period (every two years).

At least two of the 30 required CE hours must be completed by participation in the mandatory Board-issued law webinar and ethics webinar. At least one hour must be on the topic of immunization.

New pharmacist licensees are exempt from CE requirements during their first renewal period. 

Pharmacists in California have the option to complete their CE requirements in either live or on-demand formats. While many pharmacists enjoy the convenience of on-demand education, some prefer the interactive nature of live CE. If you find yourself wishing you could ask your instructor to explain a concept after their presentation or wishing you did not have to complete a post-test after each activity, you may find live CE is right for you.

Live CE is available in two formats, through in-person attendance at a meeting or seminar or through online webinars. If you struggle to fit in-person live CE into your busy schedule, live webinars may be an excellent option for you. Webinars come in different lengths and formats and cover a variety of topics, allowing you to choose the activity that’s right for you.

Are you looking for online live CE? Look no further. freeCE has the most comprehensive webinar schedule around. Explore freeCE’s packages here.

Pharmacists in California are required to earn 30 hours of CE credit biennially. To help you find the CE you need to renew your license, freeCE has a wide variety of activities. We add new content to our catalog on a regular basis so you can not only meet your requirements each cycle, but you can choose the activities which interest you most. freeCE doesn’t just offer adequate training—we provide training that is both educational and interesting. These activities are available in both live and on-demand formats and cover important topics from diverse perspectives. Explore freeCE’s packages here.