855-135-0001
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Definitions

(1) "Accredited program" means a structured continuing pharmacy education (CPE) program which has been reviewed and approved by a provider of:

(a) Continuing pharmacy education that is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) (v. 02/27/2026);

(b) Continuing medical education (CME) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) or an ACCME-recognized State Medical Society (v. 02/27/2026) as an American Medical Association (AMA) Category 1 CME program; or

(c) Continuing veterinary medical education (CVME) approved by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards Registry of Approved Continuing Education (AAVSB-RACE) as a medical program.

(2) "Board-approved program" means a structured continuing pharmacy education program which has been reviewed and approved by the board.

(3) “Certificate of completion” means a certificate or other official document issued to a participant certifying the successful completion of a continuing pharmacy education program.

(4) “Continuing Pharmacy Education” or “CPE” means an accredited or board-approved program designed to support the continuing development of Pharmacists, Interns, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians or Pharmacy Technicians to maintain and enhance their competence applicable to the practice of pharmacy or the assistance of the practice of pharmacy. 

(5) “Contact hour” means sixty minutes of continuing pharmacy education. 

(6) “CPE Monitor” means the electronic tracking service of the ACPE and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) for monitoring continuing pharmacy education that Pharmacists, Interns, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Technicians receive from participating providers;

(7) “Cultural competence” means the lifelong process of examining the values and beliefs and developing and applying an inclusive approach to health care practice in a manner that recognizes the content and complexities of provider-patient communication and interaction and preserves the dignity of individuals, families, and communities.

(a) Cultural competence applies to all patients.

(b) Culturally competent providers do not make assumptions on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived abilities, disabilities or traits whether inherent, genetic or developmental including: race, color, spiritual beliefs, creed, age, tribal affiliation, national origin, immigration or refugee status, marital status, socio-economic status, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition status, level of formal education, physical or mental disability, medical condition or any consideration recognized under federal, state and local law.

(8) “Medication error prevention” means the prevention of events that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm, while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. 

(9) “Patient safety” means the prevention of healthcare related errors or the elimination or mitigation of patient injury caused by healthcare related errors. 

(10) "Pain management education program" means a specific one-hour web-based program developed by the Pain Management Commission of the Oregon Health Authority.

(11) “Pharmacy law” means the body of laws relating to pharmacy practice.

(12) “Structured continuing pharmacy education” or “Structured CPE” means education that includes defined learning objectives, qualified instructors, learning assessment, and a program evaluation.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205 & ORS 676.850
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.450, ORS 413.590, ORS 689.255, ORS 689.285, ORS 689.486 & ORS 689.490
History:
BP 6-2026, amend filed 06/17/2026, effective 06/17/2026
BP 7-2025, amend filed 08/08/2025, effective 08/08/2025
BP 60-2024, amend filed 08/09/2024, effective 08/09/2024
BP 57-2024, amend filed 06/18/2024, effective 06/20/2024
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0010
Continuing Pharmacy Education Programs: General Requirements

(1) CPE programs must consist of subject matter pertinent to pharmacy including:

(a) Socioeconomic aspects of healthcare; 

(b) Legal aspects of healthcare;

(c) Properties and actions of drugs and dosage forms;

(d) Etiology, characteristics, therapeutics, and prevention of disease states; or

(e) General topics related to pharmacy.

(2) Time spent in the following activities may be included in the calculation of CPE credit:

(a) A program delivered by an instructor or a panel of instructors; 

(b) A structured CPE discussion, workshop or demonstration;

(c) A structured CPE question and answer session; 

(d) An ACPE accredited program or board-approved program; 

(e) An ACCME AMA Category 1 accredited program or AAVSB-RACE approved medical program up to the following limits per renewal cycle:

(A) 10 hours of CPE for Pharmacists;

(B) 6 hours of CPE for Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Technicians.

(f) A policy discussion at an Oregon Board of Pharmacy meeting up to a maximum of 2 hours of law CPE per renewal cycle.

(3) Time spent in the following activities must not be included in the calculation of CPE credit:

(a) Welcoming remarks;

(b) Meals or social functions;

(c) Business sessions (e.g. voting, treasury report, strategic plan);

(d) Unstructured discussion, workshops, and demonstrations;

(e) Unstructured question and answer sessions;

(f) Degree programs;

(g) Non-ACPE approved certificate programs;

(h) Licensing or certification examinations;

(i) Skills training programs; 

(j) Software training programs;

(k) Learning assessments; 

(l) Program evaluations; and

(m) Attending CPE programs for which credit was not granted by the provider.

(4) For each accredited or board-approved program, the licensee must retain a certificate of completion for each completed program that includes:

(a) Licensee name;

(b) Title, activity date, and activity number of the program;

(c) Topic designation (e.g. law, patient safety, pain);

(d) Name of the program provider;

(e) Number of contact hours earned by topic designation; and

(f) Statement of credit granted to the participant.

(5) For each accredited or board-approved program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor or a certificate of completion is uploaded to the licensee’s electronic licensing record with the board prior to submission of the license renewal.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 689.255, ORS 689.285 & ORS 689.490
History:
BP 60-2024, amend filed 08/09/2024, effective 08/09/2024
BP 50-2024, minor correction filed 05/06/2024, effective 05/06/2024
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0030
Continuing Pharmacy Education Programs: Applications for Approval

(1) An application for approval of a CPE program which is not an accredited program may apply for board approval using a form supplied for this purpose. A complete application includes:

(a) Program provider or sponsor name;

(b) Program name;

(c) Program topic designation(s);

(d) Licensee type(s);

(e) Total number of contact hours offered by topic designation;

(f) Description of program goal(s) and learning objective(s);

(g) Program format (e.g. interactive discussion, panel, speaker);

(h) Name and qualification(s) of each instructor;

(i) Date(s) and location(s) of program;

(j) Learning assessment; and

(k) Program evaluation.

(2) The provider must submit an application form a minimum of forty-five days prior to the date the program will be held. Applications submitted less than forty-five days prior to the date the program will be held will not be approved.

(3) Incomplete applications will not be approved.

(4) An application for post-approval of a CPE program will not be approved.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 689.285
History:
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0040
Continuing Pharmacy Education Programs: Instructors' Credit Toward CPE Hours

(1) Any Pharmacist whose primary responsibility is not the education of health professionals, who instructs a group of health professionals on pharmacy-related topics according to OAR 855-135-0010(1)(a)-(e) in structured CPE may be granted two hours of CPE credit for each hour spent in presenting the course or program which has been approved for CPE credit.

(2) Any Pharmacist whose primary responsibility is the education of health professionals may be granted CPE credit as in (1) when instructing a group of health professionals on pharmacy-related topics unrelated to their formal course responsibilities in a learning institution.

(3) An instructor will only be granted credit for one presentation of the same course or program.

(4) An instructor may earn a maximum of 10 hours of CPE for instruction per renewal cycle.

(5) An instructor must submit an application form a minimum of forty-five days prior to the date the program will be held to apply for instructor credit toward CPE hours using a form provided for this purpose by the board. Applications submitted less than forty-five days prior to the date of the program will not be approved.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 689.285
History:
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0050
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Requirements for Pharmacist License Renewal

(1) During the period from July 1 through June 30 of each biennial license renewal cycle, a pharmacist must have satisfactorily completed at least 30 hours of CPE. These hours must include at least:

(a) Two hours of CPE in pharmacy law; 

(b) Two hours of CPE in patient safety or medication error prevention;  

(c) Two hours of CPE in cultural competency either approved by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 413.450 or any cultural competency CPE; and 

(d) One hour of CPE in pain management, provided by the Pain Management Commission of the Oregon Health Authority; and

(e) Twenty-three additional hours of CPE in subjects pertinent to pharmacy per OAR 855-135-0010(1)(a)-(e).  

(2) Pharmacists applying for the first renewal of their license if they have been licensed by the board for at least one year prior to July 1 of the renewal period, must complete the requirement listed in (1).

(3) Pharmacists applying for the first renewal of their license if they have not been licensed by the board for at least one year prior to July 1 of the renewal period, must have satisfactorily completed the following hours of CPE in any topic area. If the initial license is issued between:

(a) July 1 to September 30 of an even year, the Pharmacist must complete 16 hours of CPE.

(b) October 1 to December 31 of an even year, the Pharmacist must complete 12 hours of CPE.

(c) January 1 to March 31 of an odd year, the Pharmacist must complete 8 hours of CPE.

(d) April 1 to June 30 of an odd year, the Pharmacist must complete 4 hours of CPE.

(4) A Pharmacist must register with the CPE Monitor for tracking completed ACPE credit hours.

(5) For each ACPE-approved program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor.

(6) For each board-approved or ACCME accredited program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor or uploaded to the licensee’s electronic licensing record with the board. 

(7) A Pharmacist must retain documentation of completed CPE for 6 years and must provide this documentation if requested by the board. 

(8) CPE credit accumulated in excess of the required 30 contact hours for biennial license renewal cannot be carried forward.

(9) A Pharmacist who fails to renew their license by the expiration date and whose license has been lapsed for one year or less may apply to renew their license, must complete the CPE requirement in (1) prior to renewal. 

(10) A Pharmacist who is applying for reinstatement must provide certification of completion of the continuing pharmacy education requirement in (1) for all licensing cycles in which the license was lapsed, and complete reinstatement requirements listed in OAR 855-115.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205 & ORS 676.850
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.450, ORS 413.590, ORS 689.285 & ORS 689.486
History:
BP 30-2024, minor correction filed 04/10/2024, effective 04/10/2024
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0060
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Requirements for Intern License Renewal

(1) During each license renewal cycle, an Intern must have satisfactorily completed 2 contact hours of approved CPE in cultural competency either approved by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 413.450 or any cultural competency CPE; and 

(2) An Intern must retain documentation of completed CPE for 6 years and must provide this documentation if requested by the board. 

(3) An Intern must register with the CPE Monitor for tracking completed ACPE credit hours.

(4) For each ACPE-approved program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor.

(5) For each board-approved or ACCME accredited program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor or uploaded to the licensee’s electronic licensing record with the board.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.450, ORS 676.850, ORS 689.151, ORS 689.255 & ORS 689.285
History:
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0070
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Requirements for Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician License Renewal

(1) During the period from July 1 through June 30 of each biennial license renewal cycle, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician must have satisfactorily completed 20 contact hours of CPE. These hours must include: 

(a) Two hours of CPE in pharmacy law; 

(b) Two hours of CPE in patient safety or medication error prevention;  

(c) Two hours of CPE in cultural competency either approved by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 413.450 or any cultural competency effective July 1, 2023; and 

(d) Fourteen additional hours of CPE in subjects pertinent to pharmacy per OAR 855-135-0010(1)(a)-(e). 

(2) Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians or Pharmacy Technicians applying for the first renewal of their license, if they have not been licensed by the board for at least one year prior to July 1 of the renewal period, only need to complete cultural competency as required by (1)(c).

(3) Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacy Technicians must register with the CPE Monitor for tracking completed ACPE credit hours.

(4) For each ACPE-approved program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor.

(5) For each board-approved or ACCME accredited program, the licensee must ensure that licensee program completion CPE credit was recorded in the CPE Monitor or uploaded to the licensee’s electronic licensing record with the board prior to submission of the license renewal.

(6) A Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician must retain documentation of completed CPE for 6 years and must provide this documentation if requested by the board. 

(7) CPE credit accumulated in excess of the required 20 contact hours for biennial license renewal cannot be carried forward.  

(8) A Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician who fails to renew their license by the expiration date and whose license has been lapsed for one year or less may apply to renew their license and must complete the CPE requirements in (1) prior to renewal. 

(9) Section (1)(a)(b) and (d) do not apply to a Pharmacy Technician applying for the first renewal of their license prior to July 1, 2023. Section (1)(c) is required.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 413.450, ORS 676.850, ORS 689.285 & ORS 689.486
History:
BP 13-2023, minor correction filed 07/07/2023, effective 07/07/2023
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0080
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Requirements for Licensees Licensed in Other Health Professions

A Pharmacist, Intern, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Technician who is licensed to practice another health profession must meet the same CPE requirements in the same manner as all other board licensees and must otherwise comply with this chapter.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 689.255, ORS 689.285 & ORS 689.490
History:
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0085
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Notification of Biennial License Renewal

The board will send a biennial renewal notice to be issued to all licensed Pharmacists, Interns, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy Technicians at least 60 days prior to the license expiration date that states the biennial license fee, CPE requirements and other information necessary for renewal.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 689.255, ORS 689.275, ORS 689.486 & ORS 689.490
History:
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023

855-135-0090
Continuing Pharmacy Education: Audits

(1) The biennial renewal application must be submitted to the board with the appropriate fee and the licensee must attest that they have satisfactorily completed the CPE requirements prior to submission of the license renewal.

(2) The board may select and audit applications for renewal to verify completion of CPE by Pharmacists, Interns, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians, and Pharmacy Technicians reported on the application for renewal. 

(3) The board may utilize the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy CPE Monitor service or the licensee’s electronic licensing record with the board when auditing licensees for CPE compliance. 

(4) If the board is unable to confirm compliance, the licensee must comply with board requests to provide documentation. 

(5) A licensee who fails to provide the requested documentation to the board within the time allowed or who fails to complete the biennial CPE requirement may be disciplined for unprofessional conduct.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 689.205
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 689.275
History:
BP 51-2022, adopt filed 12/20/2022, effective 07/01/2023