Chapter 4729:1-5 | Continuing Education

Rule 4729:1-5-01 | Pharmacist continuing education - definitions.

• Effective: March 4, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

As used in Chapter 4729:1-5 of the Administrative Code:

(A) "A.C.P.E." means the accreditation council for pharmacy education.

(B) "Board approved pharmacy practice-specific specialty certification program" means a practice-specific specialty certification program that meets one of the following:

(1) The program is offered by the board of pharmacy specialties (BPS); or

(2) The program is offered by the specialty pharmacy certification board (SPCB); or

(3) A program approved by the board that consist of the following:

(a) Periodic recertification examinations;

(b) Documentation by the certification program that the pharmacist is currently certified by the program; and

(c) Other requirements as determined by the board.

(C) "Continuing education unit" or "C.E.U." means ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing pharmacy education experience presented by a provider listed in paragraph (D) of this rule.

(D) "Continuing pharmacy education" or "continuing education", as required in section 4729.12 of the Revised Code, means post-licensure pharmacy education undertaken to maintain professional competency to practice pharmacy, improve professional skills, and preserve uniform qualifications for continuing the practice of the profession for the purpose of protecting public health and welfare. Continuing pharmacy education may be obtained from any of the following providers:

(1) A pharmacy jurisprudence program pursuant to paragraph (F) of this rule;

(2) An approved in-state provider of volunteer healthcare services in accordance with section 4745.04 of the Revised Code and rule 4729-6-03 of the Administrative Code;

(3) An A.C.P.E. accredited continuing education provider.

(E) "One-third of a licensee's continuing education requirement" as used in division (C) of section 4745.04 of the Revised Code and paragraph (H) of rule 4729:1-5-02 of the Administrative Code, means the total number of required C.E.U.s for licensure renewal divided by three and rounded down to the nearest whole number.

(F) "Pharmacy jurisprudence" continuing education shall include any of the following:

(1) An A.C.P.E. law program as identified by A.C.P.E. numbering convention "03";

(2) A board of pharmacy approved continuing education program provided by an in-state approved jurisprudence provider pursuant to rule 4729-6-02 of the Administrative Code that pertains to current or recent changes to laws, rules, and regulations relating to the practice of pharmacy; or

(3) A program presented by the state board of pharmacy that pertains to current or recent changes to laws, rules, and regulations relating to the practice of pharmacy.

(G) "Patient or medication safety" means an A.C.P.E. continuing education program identified by the A.C.P.E. numbering convention "05" that deals with the prevention of healthcare errors and the elimination or mitigation of patient injury caused by healthcare errors.

(H) "Veteran" means anyone who is serving or has served under honorable conditions in any component of the armed forces, including the national guard and reserve.

Last updated March 4, 2024 at 8:40 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26
Amplifies: 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15
Five Year Review Date: 3/4/2029

Rule 4729:1-5-02 | Continuing education requirements for pharmacists.

• Effective: March 4, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A)

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (A)(2) of this rule, three C.E.U.s (thirty contact hours) of approved continuing education shall be completed by a pharmacist licensed in accordance with Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code prior to the renewal of the pharmacist's license. At least 0.2 C.E.U.s of the total required C.E.U.s must be obtained in pharmacy jurisprudence and at least 0.2 C.E.U.s of the total required C.E.U.s must be obtained in patient or medication safety. The C.E.U.s must be obtained within a period that is no more than two years prior to September fifteenth of the year in which a pharmacist's license must be renewed.

(2) A pharmacist who obtains initial licensure by reciprocity or examination shall not have to complete the continuing education requirements for the initial licensure period prior to the renewal of that pharmacist's license.

(B)

(1) A pharmacist may satisfy the continuing pharmacy education requirements in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule by providing evidence at the time of renewal that the pharmacist has met the requirements of and is currently certified by a board approved pharmacy practice-specific specialty certification program.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (B)(3) of this rule, pharmacists who meet the requirements of paragraph (B)(1) of this rule shall be required to complete at least 0.2 C.E.U.s in pharmacy jurisprudence and 0.2 C.E.U.s in patient or medication safety. The C.E.U.s must be obtained within a period that is no more than two years prior to September fifteenth of the year in which a pharmacist's license must be renewed.

(3) A pharmacist who obtains initial licensure by reciprocity or examination shall not have to complete the continuing education requirements for the initial licensure period prior to the renewal of that pharmacist's license.

(C)

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (C)(2) of this rule, C.E.U.s must be obtained within a period that is no more than two years prior to September fifteenth of the year in which a pharmacist's license must be renewed.

(2) A pharmacist obtaining initial licensure by reciprocity or examination may apply C.E.U.s obtained during the pharmacist's initial period of licensure to meet the continuing education requirements set forth in this rule.

(D) Except as provided in paragraph (F) of this rule, a pharmacist whose license has lapsed or is being renewed after board action shall obtain three C.E.U.s of continuing education during the two-year period immediately preceding the date the renewal application is filed with the board.

(1) At least 0.2 C.E.Us must be in pharmacy jurisprudence and 0.2 C.E.U.s must be in patient or medication safety.

(2) Any additional continuing education requirements ordered pursuant to a board order or settlement agreement shall not be counted for the purposes of meeting this requirement.

(E) C.E.U.s obtained that exceed the required C.E.U.s at the time continuing education is required for licensure renewal may not be transferred and applied to future requirements.

(F) Ohio-licensed pharmacists who hold a current license in states where continuing education is mandatory, have met the continuing pharmacy education requirements of that state, and who have not practiced pharmacy in Ohio at any time during the two years prior to the renewal date in which a pharmacist's license must be renewed, may renew their license in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4729. of the Revised Code without having to comply with the requirements of this rule.

(G) A pharmacist may satisfy up to one-third of the pharmacist's continuing education requirements by providing health care services as a volunteer in accordance with section 4745.04 of the Revised Code. The location where health care services are provided shall be an approved in-state provider of volunteer healthcare services in accordance with rule 4729-6-03 of the Administrative Code.

(H) Pharmacists shall keep all certificates and other documented evidence of participation that have been issued by non-A.C.P.E. accredited providers for approved C.E.U.s for which the pharmacist has claimed continuing education units towards licensure renewal for a period of one year following the year in which continuing education was required for renewal.

(I) The board may request a pharmacist submit documentation demonstrating compliance with the continuing education requirements of this rule. A pharmacist shall have thirty days to submit such documentation upon receipt of a request by the board.

(J) The board shall monitor compliance by conducting an audit of licensees.

(K) The board shall require the reporting of continuing education units to a national or state register.

Last updated March 4, 2024 at 8:40 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26
Amplifies: 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15
Five Year Review Date: 3/4/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 11/20/1972, 2/15/1982, 2/1/2017

Rule 4729:1-5-03 | Veteran and military family provisions related to continuing education.

• Effective: July 1, 2024
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Extension of continuing education requirements.

(1) In accordance with section 5903.12 of the Revised Code, the state board of pharmacy shall grant extension periods and waivers for the completion of continuing education requirements for active duty veteran members and the spouses of active duty veterans. If a current pharmacist or their spouse is called to active duty for military service, the time period allowed for completion of any continuing education requirements will be extended by the amount of time that the pharmacist or the pharmacist's spouse was on active duty.

(2) Upon receiving the application and proper documentation, the board's executive director or the director's designee shall extend the continuing education reporting period by an amount of time equal to the total number of months that the licensee or their spouse spent on active duty during the current reporting period. For purposes of this division, any portion of a month served on active duty shall be considered one full month.

(3) The licensee shall submit proper documentation certifying the active duty service and the length of that active duty service. Documentation required to obtain an extension or waiver pursuant to paragraph (A)(1) of this rule will be published on the state board of pharmacy's website: www.pharmacy.ohio.gov.

(B) Determining fulfillment of continuing education.

(1) If a pharmacist is a veteran, the state board of pharmacy shall consider relevant military education, training or service that has been completed by the license holder no more than two years prior to September fifteenth of the year in which a pharmacist's license must be renewed when determining the fulfillment of any continuing education requirements.

(2) For the board to consider relevant education, training, or service completed by a pharmacist, the licensee shall submit a request for consideration and evidence or documentation of the education, training, or service to the executive director or the director's designee at least sixty days prior to the required continuing education reporting period pursuant to rule 4729:1-5-02 of the Administrative Code.

Last updated July 1, 2024 at 5:17 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4729.26, 5903.04
Amplifies: 4729.12, 4729.13, 4729.15
Five Year Review Date: 9/18/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 1/20/2015