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California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists — Information & Free Practice

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California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists

Provider
PSI Services LLC for the California State Board of Pharmacy
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination at designated test centers
Exam questions
90 multiple-choice questions: 75 scored and 15 unscored pretest items
Time limit
Two hours
Passing score
Scaled score of 75 on a 0-99 scale (criterion-referenced)
Exam fee
$36.91 PSI examination fee per registration, plus the Board application fee of $260
Examination outline
  • PATIENT INFORMATION AND PRESCRIPTION EVALUATION: PRACTICE STANDARDS AND JURISPRUDENCE
    • Collect, Organize, and Evaluate Information
    • Obtain information from the patient/patient's representative for patient profile (e.g., diagnosis or desired therapeutic outcome, allergies, adverse drug reactions, medical & medication history)
    • Obtain information from prescriber and/or health care professionals for patient profile (e.g., diagnosis or desired therapeutic outcome, allergies, adverse drug reactions, medical & medication history)
    • Obtain information from the patient's medical record for patient profile (e.g., diagnosis or desired therapeutic outcome, allergies, adverse drug reactions, medical & medication history)
    • Assess prescription/medication order for completeness, correctness, authenticity, and legality
    • Assess prescription/medication order for appropriateness (e.g., drug selection, dosage, drug interactions, dosage form, delivery system)
    • Evaluate the medical record/patient profile for any or all of the following: disease states, clinical condition, medication use, allergies, adverse drug reactions, disabilities, medical/surgical therapies, laboratory findings, physical assessments and/or diagnostic tests
    • Perform physical assessment (e.g., vital signs/blood pressure measurement, observations of signs/symptoms)
    • Perform health screening (e.g., blood glucose checks, diagnostic tests)
    • Evaluate the pharmaceutical information needs of the patient/patient's representative
    • Dispense Medications
    • Determine the appropriate product(s) to be dispensed for a prescription/medication order
    • Document preparation of medication in various dosage forms (e.g., compounding, repackaging)
    • Meet the regulatory requirements associated with preparation and dispensing of controlled substances
    • Verify label(s) for prescription containers
    • Perform the final check for medications, products, preparations, or devices prior to dispensing
    • Use automated drug delivery systems
    • Administer immunizations
    • Administer medications and biologicals as ordered by a prescriber, per protocol, or scope of practice
    • Participate in compounding (sterile and non-sterile)
  • CLINICAL PRACTICE: PRACTICE STANDARDS AND JURISPRUDENCE
    • Determine a Course of Action
    • Develop a therapeutic regimen for prescription medications (e.g., recommend alteration of prescribed drug regimen, select drug if necessary, perform medication therapy management)
    • Determine appropriateness of non-prescription medications as part of a treatment plan (e.g., product selection, duration of therapy)
    • Determine appropriateness of non-drug therapy as part of a treatment plan (e.g., self-care, lifestyle modification)
    • Collaborate with health care team and patient to determine goals of therapy and course of action
    • Assess changes in health status (e.g., onset of new disease states, changes in clinical condition)
    • Perform monitoring and therapeutic management activities
    • Manage drug therapy according to protocols or scope of practice
    • Use a formulary system (e.g., therapeutic conversions and interchanges, advising patients and prescribers, tier/formulary restrictions, insurance formularies, evaluation of products, guidelines)
    • Resolve problems that arise with patient's therapy (e.g., adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, non-adherence)
    • Make evidence-based pharmacotherapy decisions
    • Assess patient for immunization needs
    • Resolve problems with medication affordability (e.g., insurance coverage, patient assistance programs, manufacturer cost reduction program)
    • Perform medication reconciliation (including high-risk hospitalized patients)
    • Recommend/order necessary monitoring procedures (e.g., renal/hepatic function, glucose levels, EKG, drug levels)
    • Initiate pharmacist-provider therapies (e.g., immunization, hormonal contraceptives, smoking cessation, travel-related medications)
    • Educate Patients and Health Care Professionals
    • Assess the patient's/patient representative's understanding of health information (e.g., disease state, prevention, treatment plan)
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding prescription medication therapy and devices
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding nonprescription medication (OTC)
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding herbal/complementary/alternative therapies
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding non-drug therapy (e.g., self-care, lifestyle modification)
    • Counsel patient/patient representative regarding self-monitoring of therapy (e.g., devices, symptoms)
    • Verify the patient's/patient representative's understanding of the information presented
    • Educate health care professionals (e.g., precepting intern pharmacists and answer drug information questions from health care providers/students)
    • Communicate results of monitoring to patient/patient's representative, prescriber, and/or other health care professionals
    • Provide supplemental information as indicated (e.g., medication guides, CA pharmacist provided therapy)
  • PHARMACY OPERATIONS: PRACTICE STANDARDS AND JURISPRUDENCE
    • Pharmaceuticals, Devices and Supplies, and Inventory Control
    • Ensure quality specifications for pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, devices, and supplies (e.g., sourcing, track and trace, storage)
    • Place orders for devices, supplies, and pharmaceuticals (including controlled substances)
    • Maintain a record-keeping system of items purchased/received/returned in compliance with legal requirements (e.g., dangerous drugs, devices, supplies)
    • Maintain a record of controlled substances ordered, received, stored, and removed from inventory
    • Dispose of expired, returned, or recalled pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment devices, supplies, and document actions taken
    • Respond to changes in product availability (e.g., drug shortages, recalls)
    • Prepare for and respond to emergency situations
    • Design and implement policies to prevent theft and/or drug diversion
    • Perform Quality Assurance/Improvement
    • Assess competence of pharmacy personnel (e.g., pharmacists, technicians, interns, clerks)
    • Ensure the accuracy of medication administration (e.g., infusion pump reports, barcode medication administration, device re-education)
    • Participate in a system to monitor quality measures and improve patient outcomes (e.g., medication use evaluations, medication error reduction program)
    • Participate in a system to monitor/improve medication use including quality assurance programs (e.g., opioid stewardship, standard ordersets, peer review, self-evaluation)
    • Participate in a system for medication error prevention, assessment, and reporting (e.g., root cause analysis, National Patient Safety Goals, medication error reduction program)
    • Participate in a system by which adverse drug reactions and interactions are prevented, documented, evaluated, and reported
    • Manage Operations, Human Resources and Information Systems
    • Monitor the practice site and/or service area for compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and professional standards/guidelines
    • Supervise the work of pharmacy personnel (on-site and remote)
    • Ensure the availability, control, and confidentiality of patient and prescription information (e.g., patient profiles, medication administration records)
    • Participate in the development of pharmacy policies and procedures, protocols, order sets, and/or therapeutic guidelines
    • Participate in the use of pharmacy information systems and technology (e.g., electronic health record, e-prescribing, automated drug dispensing systems, CURES)
Examination sources