BCPS Spring 2021

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What’s the over/under people would pay for expedited results? 😂 $100?
It would be like free revenue for BPS, I'm surprised they don't do that, like pay $300 extra and get your score a few days after the window closes vs <60 days.

Speaking of BPS profitability / love of money...

Currently ~50,000 BPS pharmacists, some such as ICUPharm have multiple boards, I'm assuming $125 per license annual renewal = 6.25M or more revenue just from renewal fees a year, on about 20 FTEs and maybe some back office support such as IT etc - plenty of margin for APhA
 
It would be like free revenue for BPS, I'm surprised they don't do that, like pay $300 extra and get your score a few days after the window closes vs <60 days.

Speaking of BPS profitability / love of money...

Currently ~50,000 BPS pharmacists, some such as ICUPharm have multiple boards, I'm assuming $125 per license annual renewal = 6.25M or more revenue just from renewal fees a year, on about 20 FTEs and maybe some back office support such as IT etc - plenty of margin for APhA
The annual $125 fee covers multiple boards which is nice. So even though I'm double boarded I only pay $125. If I pass the BCIDP my annual fee will still only be $125 in spite of triple certification. So kudos to BPS for that at least. I personally wouldn't pay anything for expedited score reporting because I don't see any value in that. To each his own.
 
The annual $125 fee covers multiple boards which is nice. So even though I'm double boarded I only pay $125. If I pass the BCIDP my annual fee will still only be $125 in spite of triple certification. So kudos to BPS for that at least. I personally wouldn't pay anything for expedited score reporting because I don't see any value in that. To each his own.
I noticed you're a little condescending towards others who are waiting for the scores, in your past few posts. The credential would help at least a few of us on this thread with our job search. Getting the credential earlier would probably help boost candidacy, especially for those of us without a residency. I'm sure you've heard, but the job market for pharmacists is rough, so yeah, I want the credential earlier so someone might actually give me a call back on my application. Several health system managers told me without a residency, the BCPS could help, so I'll take their word for it. If not I'll try my best with Midyear in the Fall and go through the residency recruiting process. Sounds like you have a nice job you are good at with the triple boards, but wish you acknowledged not everyone is as fortunate as you.
 
I noticed you're a little condescending towards others who are waiting for the scores, in your past few posts. The credential would help at least a few of us on this thread with our job search. Getting the credential earlier would probably help boost candidacy, especially for those of us without a residency. I'm sure you've heard, but the job market for pharmacists is rough, so yeah, I want the credential earlier so someone might actually give me a call back on my application. Several health system managers told me without a residency, the BCPS could help, so I'll take their word for it. If not I'll try my best with Midyear in the Fall and go through the residency recruiting process. Sounds like you have a nice job you are good at with the triple boards, but wish you acknowledged not everyone is as fortunate as yo

I noticed you're a little condescending towards others who are waiting for the scores, in your past few posts. The credential would help at least a few of us on this thread with our job search. Getting the credential earlier would probably help boost candidacy, especially for those of us without a residency. I'm sure you've heard, but the job market for pharmacists is rough, so yeah, I want the credential earlier so someone might actually give me a call back on my application. Several health system managers told me without a residency, the BCPS could help, so I'll take their word for it. If not I'll try my best with Midyear in the Fall and go through the residency recruiting process. Sounds like you have a nice job you are good at with the triple boards, but wish you acknowledged not everyone is as fortunate as you.
I wish you luck on your job search! :luck:
 
I noticed you're a little condescending towards others who are waiting for the scores, in your past few posts. The credential would help at least a few of us on this thread with our job search. Getting the credential earlier would probably help boost candidacy, especially for those of us without a residency. I'm sure you've heard, but the job market for pharmacists is rough, so yeah, I want the credential earlier so someone might actually give me a call back on my application. Several health system managers told me without a residency, the BCPS could help, so I'll take their word for it. If not I'll try my best with Midyear in the Fall and go through the residency recruiting process. Sounds like you have a nice job you are good at with the triple boards, but wish you acknowledged not everyone is as fortunate as you.
That is not my intention and you bring up an excellent point I hadn't thought about. Yes, the job market is brutal, especially in major cities. So, I definitely empathize with your situation. I was fortunate to graduate in 2002 and got estabilshed early during the golden years. Pharmacy unfortunately shot itself in the foot by opening too many schools and saturating the field which makes it very difficult for new grads. So, I definitely see the value in having your certification. Best of luck in your search. Definitely consider a residency if it works for your lifestyle. And if you like it, even consider doing a PGY2. (And for the record I'm only double boarded. Just took the BCIDP but doubt I passed!!)
 
I hope that everyone has a nice weekend and that we find out our scores very soon! We've made it this long--what's another week or two?! (LOL)

LOL,,,,,, Scores still not out yet ???????? BCP really playing games now and having some fun with it.
 
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I hope that everyone has a nice weekend and that we find out our scores very soon! We've made it this long--what's another week or two?! (LOL)
Have a good weekend! My goal is to not look at this site or the bps website at all this weekend and resume my obsessive website stalking next week 😜
 
The annual $125 fee covers multiple boards which is nice. So even though I'm double boarded I only pay $125. If I pass the BCIDP my annual fee will still only be $125 in spite of triple certification. So kudos to BPS for that at least. I personally wouldn't pay anything for expedited score reporting because I don't see any value in that. To each his own.
if you pass the BCIP, you'll be triple board-certified?? Damn you trying to gain the alphabetic soup after your name??
 
if you pass the BCIP, you'll be triple board-certified?? Damn you trying to gain the alphabetic soup after your name??
Yeah I'm a bit of an OCD pharmacy nerd. I really enjoy pushing myself. I'm a critical care pharmacist so anything that falls into the diverse realm of critical care that helps me be a more knowledgeable pharmacist is fair game. I've settled on the goal of BCPS, BCCCP, BCIDP, BCCP. I'm sitting for the BCCP in the Fall and if I end up failing BCIDP (good chance there!), I'll retake that exam in the Fall as well. At one point I was even thinking about pursuing the BCNSP, but given our institution doesn't have a nutritional support team I decided it would truly be a waste of time and detract from the bulk of what I do in the ICU. : )
 
Yeah I'm a bit of an OCD pharmacy nerd. I really enjoy pushing myself. I'm a critical care pharmacist so anything that falls into the diverse realm of critical care that helps me be a more knowledgeable pharmacist is fair game. I've settled on the goal of BCPS, BCCCP, BCIDP, BCCP. I'm sitting for the BCCP in the Fall and if I end up failing BCIDP (good chance there!), I'll retake that exam in the Fall as well. At one point I was even thinking about pursuing the BCNSP, but given our institution doesn't have a nutritional support team I decided it would truly be a waste of time and detract from the bulk of what I do in the ICU. : )
I thought it stated on their website that you can only take 1 exam in spring and fall. That you can't take say bcps and BCIDP at same time?
 
Yeah I'm a bit of an OCD pharmacy nerd. I really enjoy pushing myself. I'm a critical care pharmacist so anything that falls into the diverse realm of critical care that helps me be a more knowledgeable pharmacist is fair game. I've settled on the goal of BCPS, BCCCP, BCIDP, BCCP. I'm sitting for the BCCP in the Fall and if I end up failing BCIDP (good chance there!), I'll retake that exam in the Fall as well. At one point I was even thinking about pursuing the BCNSP, but given our institution doesn't have a nutritional support team I decided it would truly be a waste of time and detract from the bulk of what I do in the ICU. : )
I felt somewhat "traumatized" by preparing for the BCPS because I hadn't practiced in a traditional pharmacy setting in 7 years at the time of my exam. I said that would be it since it's all ancillary for my career anyway. However, now that I have finished all the necessary CE until 2025, I could see myself doing another one. I work in oncology, so sitting for BCOP could actually be helpful.
 
I thought it stated on their website that you can only take 1 exam in spring and fall. That you can't take say bcps and BCIDP at same time?
You are only allowed to sit for one INITIAL exam in each session. You are allowed to sit for as many retakes as you want in a given session provided you only are sitting for one INITIAL exam. So, let's say I fail the BCIDP this Spring. I can sit for the retake in the Fall even though I'm also sitting for my Initial BCCP exam (first try).
 
I felt somewhat "traumatized" by preparing for the BCPS because I hadn't practiced in a traditional pharmacy setting in 7 years at the time of my exam. I said that would be it since it's all ancillary for my career anyway. However, now that I have finished all the necessary CE until 2025, I could see myself doing another one. I work in oncology, so sitting for BCOP could actually be helpful.
For sure. Go for it! BCOP is very challenging and you will be so much more knowledgeable just having prepared for it.
 
Yeah I'm a bit of an OCD pharmacy nerd. I really enjoy pushing myself. I'm a critical care pharmacist so anything that falls into the diverse realm of critical care that helps me be a more knowledgeable pharmacist is fair game. I've settled on the goal of BCPS, BCCCP, BCIDP, BCCP. I'm sitting for the BCCP in the Fall and if I end up failing BCIDP (good chance there!), I'll retake that exam in the Fall as well. At one point I was even thinking about pursuing the BCNSP, but given our institution doesn't have a nutritional support team I decided it would truly be a waste of time and detract from the bulk of what I do in the ICU. : )

Yeah I'm a bit of an OCD pharmacy nerd. I really enjoy pushing myself. I'm a critical care pharmacist so anything that falls into the diverse realm of critical care that helps me be a more knowledgeable pharmacist is fair game. I've settled on the goal of BCPS, BCCCP, BCIDP, BCCP. I'm sitting for the BCCP in the Fall and if I end up failing BCIDP (good chance there!), I'll retake that exam in the Fall as well. At one point I was even thinking about pursuing the BCNSP, but given our institution doesn't have a nutritional support team I decided it would truly be a waste of time and detract from the bulk of what I do in the ICU. : )
I have to ask, how do you find the time to study for all this?! Honestly, I'm in awe. Between the full time job and toddler, I definitely didn't study as much as I probably should have.
 
I have to ask, how do you find the time to study for all this?! Honestly, I'm in awe. Between the full time job and toddler, I definitely didn't study as much as I probably should have.
I have a secret advantage...no kids. Just a wife and a dog. Makes it pretty easy in terms of finding time. I will say though that for the past two years I've had no life as I am just constantly studying when I'm not working. I put in about 20 hours a week just keeping up with my current certifications while studying for new ones. I'm super impressed by anyone that works full time and has kids that passes any BPS exam. It is a major achievement!!!
 
Yeah I'm a bit of an OCD pharmacy nerd. I really enjoy pushing myself. I'm a critical care pharmacist so anything that falls into the diverse realm of critical care that helps me be a more knowledgeable pharmacist is fair game. I've settled on the goal of BCPS, BCCCP, BCIDP, BCCP. I'm sitting for the BCCP in the Fall and if I end up failing BCIDP (good chance there!), I'll retake that exam in the Fall as well. At one point I was even thinking about pursuing the BCNSP, but given our institution doesn't have a nutritional support team I decided it would truly be a waste of time and detract from the bulk of what I do in the ICU. : )

Whew that’s a lot of CE’s to keep up with. I’m here trying to think if I should let my BCPS lapse if I pass the BCCP haha.
 
Whew that’s a lot of CE’s to keep up with. I’m here trying to think if I should let my BCPS lapse if I pass the BCCP haha.
No, keep it! It is good foundational stuff. It is our equivalent of "internal medicine." If the MDs can be multi boarded so can we (albeit their exams are way easier). How was the BCCP?
 
No, keep it! It is good foundational stuff. It is our equivalent of "internal medicine." If the MDs can be multi boarded so can we (albeit their exams are way easier). How was the BCCP?

How are their exams easier? This is actually my second time taking the exam. I attempted to take the exam last fall. I was not prepared at all, I think I crammed as much information I can the week before I took it. My hospital was really hit bad with COVID last year. For a while, we averaged around 150 COVID patients every day, the highest number COVID patients we had was 210, in a 435 bed hospital. It didn’t help that about third of our staff was always out due to COVID. Safe to say that I was overworked and didn’t really have much time to crack open the study materials. By the time I realized I was no where near prepared for the exam, it was too late to reschedule. I think if I rescheduled, I had to forfeit 200 bucks from my exam fee, which I thought was insane so I took a chance and winged it lol (I work in cardiac/CV critical care areas so I thought I had a good chance). I finally had some time to study this second go round. I felt better taking the exam, or may be the exam seemed more straightforward than the last. I still think it was hard and really I’m not sure if I even scored enough to pass (but I hope I do because I don’t want to take it again). Some case questions on common disease states (hyperlipidemia, HTN, CHF, etc.) I felt geared more towards amb care setting which made it difficult for me to answer. And for the most part of the exam, I found myself going back and forth on 2 plausible answers. Hopefully my guessing abilities paid off haha.
 
How are their exams easier? This is actually my second time taking the exam. I attempted to take the exam last fall. I was not prepared at all, I think I crammed as much information I can the week before I took it. My hospital was really hit bad with COVID last year. For a while, we averaged around 150 COVID patients every day, the highest number COVID patients we had was 210, in a 435 bed hospital. It didn’t help that about third of our staff was always out due to COVID. Safe to say that I was overworked and didn’t really have much time to crack open the study materials. By the time I realized I was no where near prepared for the exam, it was too late to reschedule. I think if I rescheduled, I had to forfeit 200 bucks from my exam fee, which I thought was insane so I took a chance and winged it lol (I work in cardiac/CV critical care areas so I thought I had a good chance). I finally had some time to study this second go round. I felt better taking the exam, or may be the exam seemed more straightforward than the last. I still think it was hard and really I’m not sure if I even scored enough to pass (but I hope I do because I don’t want to take it again). Some case questions on common disease states (hyperlipidemia, HTN, CHF, etc.) I felt geared more towards amb care setting which made it difficult for me to answer. And for the most part of the exam, I found myself going back and forth on 2 plausible answers. Hopefully my guessing abilities paid off haha.
Wow, that's a ton of COVID. Crazy! I hope you passed this time. Did you have to interpret EKGs? Godd for you for taking it again. That is admirable. Never give up!
 
Wow, that's a ton of COVID. Crazy! I hope you passed this time. Did you have to interpret EKGs? Godd for you for taking it again. That is admirable. Never give up!

Not sure if it was in this recent exam or the last one, but yeah there’s a couple of simple rhythm strips you had to interpret.. nothing crazy.
 
How are their exams easier? This is actually my second time taking the exam. I attempted to take the exam last fall. I was not prepared at all, I think I crammed as much information I can the week before I took it. My hospital was really hit bad with COVID last year. For a while, we averaged around 150 COVID patients every day, the highest number COVID patients we had was 210, in a 435 bed hospital. It didn’t help that about third of our staff was always out due to COVID. Safe to say that I was overworked and didn’t really have much time to crack open the study materials. By the time I realized I was no where near prepared for the exam, it was too late to reschedule. I think if I rescheduled, I had to forfeit 200 bucks from my exam fee, which I thought was insane so I took a chance and winged it lol (I work in cardiac/CV critical care areas so I thought I had a good chance). I finally had some time to study this second go round. I felt better taking the exam, or may be the exam seemed more straightforward than the last. I still think it was hard and really I’m not sure if I even scored enough to pass (but I hope I do because I don’t want to take it again). Some case questions on common disease states (hyperlipidemia, HTN, CHF, etc.) I felt geared more towards amb care setting which made it difficult for me to answer. And for the most part of the exam, I found myself going back and forth on 2 plausible answers. Hopefully my guessing abilities paid off haha.
Oh, forgot to answer your first question. I have tons of MD friends at the medical center. All of them say the passing rate on boards (regardless of specialty) is around 98%. You basically have to be a total **** up to fail the boards. When I told them our passing rates are anywhere from 50 - 75% they were like "Oh, sounds like an actual real test!"
 
Oh, forgot to answer your first question. I have tons of MD friends at the medical center. All of them say the passing rate on boards (regardless of specialty) is around 98%. You basically have to be a total **** up to fail the boards. When I told them our passing rates are anywhere from 50 - 75% they were like "Oh, sounds like an actual real test!"
Don't they have to train a lot longer for each speciality though to qualify for the corresponding exams? For example, BCPS pass rate is almost 90% if you only look at pharmacists who completed PGY1 residency. In other words, just one year of additional training for pharmacists has a dramatic impact to the pass rate.
 
Don't they have to train a lot longer for each speciality though to qualify for the corresponding exams? For example, BCPS pass rate is almost 90% if you only look at pharmacists who completed PGY1 residency. In other words, just one year of additional training for pharmacists has a dramatic impact to the pass rate.
BTW, when I mentioned one of the types of DM questions on my exam to an endocrinologist, he definitely said that was the type of question that would expected on his exam.
 
Oh, forgot to answer your first question. I have tons of MD friends at the medical center. All of them say the passing rate on boards (regardless of specialty) is around 98%. You basically have to be a total **** up to fail the boards. When I told them our passing rates are anywhere from 50 - 75% they were like "Oh, sounds like an actual real test!"
I often wonder if more specific board exams or added qualifications for subspecialties will be created to kinda mirror subspecialties for MDs. I can see how keeping it broad is better, though. Any idea what new areas are coming out or being considered for future BPS exam offerings?
 
I often wonder if more specific board exams or added qualifications for subspecialties will be created to kinda mirror subspecialties for MDs. I can see how keeping it broad is better, though. Any idea what new areas are coming out or being considered for future BPS exam offerings?

Solid organ transplant exam starts this fall I believe (BCTXP), Emergency Medicine is underway, there are talks of delineation study for pain management as well.
 
Don't they have to train a lot longer for each speciality though to qualify for the corresponding exams? For example, BCPS pass rate is almost 90% if you only look at pharmacists who completed PGY1 residency. In other words, just one year of additional training for pharmacists has a dramatic impact to the pass rate.
Sure, their training is much longer than ours but my MD friends say the boards just aren't that difficult hence the high pass rate. I was not aware of your BCPS statistic. Where did you get that from?
 
Sure, their training is much longer than ours but my MD friends say the boards just aren't that difficult hence the high pass rate. I was not aware of your BCPS statistic. Where did you get that from?
My point is if you are much better prepared through more rigorous training, your subjective impression of the exam would be skewed to be that it was easy. Why wouldn't the pass rate be higher for MDs if they are better prepared and quite honestly their schools have much higher eligibility standards in general? It doesn't necessarily speak to differences in content difficultly levels in the exam but rather different starting points and better preparation of their programs.

Article below:
 
My point is if you are much better prepared through more rigorous training, your subjective impression of the exam would be skewed to be that it was easy. Why wouldn't the pass rate be higher for MDs if they are better prepared and quite honestly their schools have much higher eligibility standards in general? It doesn't necessarily speak to differences in content difficultly levels in the exam but rather different starting points and better preparation of their programs.

Article below:
Good point. Could be true! Thanks for the link to the paper. I never knew about this study!
 
Could be starting today. If you look at stats of board certified pharmacists by state, the total number is increasing.
YetiRPh, would that be based on this webpage below, and seeing the All column (or any column for that matter) progressively increasing? I had not thought to check this one!

 
BPS just messing with us 😂 changing a few things here and there, making the site crash, etc. All just to drop the results 7/31 at 11:59:59 pm — “within 60 days”
I know! Imagine, we are so desperate that we are now looking at the stats. I doubt that they would update that first. UGH! Ridiculous.
 
Also the only profession that just keeps getting time and cost prohibitive certifications for “the good of the patient”. It’s gross how happy we seem to be just to have our name on the roster. Don’t worry about playing time or salary coach, please just don’t cut me.
 
We can’t even score an exam in under 30 days. This profession never gave itself a shot at achieving the lofty goals and aspirations that it aimed for 10 years ago. Just a bunch of pharmacist running it. No marketing/advising/strategist involved. Just a bunch of pimple poppers saying “please let me in, I know drugs”. We suck as a profession
Sheeeeeeeeesh 😬
 
Sheeeeeeeeesh 😬
Rebuttal? I mean there are professional societies that recommend pharmacist are part of the team and a vital part of patient care but yet pharmacy still looks at FTE as an order verification number and $ association directly with non patient care metrics. We talk a big game. We move on little.
 
Darn I haven't seen any movement from 49267 this since I read about this...
YetiRPh, was it lower yesterday (or earlier this morning)??
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Rebuttal? I mean there are professional societies that recommend pharmacist are part of the team and a vital part of patient care but yet pharmacy still looks at FTE as an order verification number and $ association directly with non patient care metrics. We talk a big game. We move on little.
For the most part this is certainly true but some states are better than others and certain institutions within those states are pretty advanced as far as pharmacist impact goes. Not to toot my own horn, but I know I make a difference in patient outcomes in the ICU and that's rewarding. But I hear ya. The profession as a whole has a long way to go. Getting provider status is a good start. I still am a believer in education. I know so many pharmacists that don't keep up and that hurts our profession big time. Once you loose credibility with an MD well then so much for needing us....
 
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