The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CCGP) and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) has formed a partnership in providing a continuing education (CE) option for recertification of CCGP Certified Geriatric Pharmacists. In response to a national call for request for proposals, CCGP has designated ASCP as the exclusive provider of the Professional Development Program for Certified Geriatric Pharmacist Recertification. The answers to some frequently asked questions about the program can be found below:

Question 1. Why is CCGP offering a continuing education alternative to CGP recertification by examination?

Answer: Our members requested that we explore such an alternative. The CCGP Board of Commissioners determined that this alternative can be validated, and technology (e.g., online courses) provides increasing opportunities for alternative educational programming.

Question 2. What does this alternative consist of?

Answer: At present, the continuing education programming consists of a minimum of 50 CE hours offered online through the ASCP www.GeriatricPharmacyReview.com website and 25 CE hours offered through live educational programming held in conjunction with ASCP national meetings.

The Professional Development Program features the following continuing education courses:

Live Programming

Geriatric Assessment for the Senior Care Pharmacist – available at the ASCP Annual Meeting in the Fall. (15 credit hours)

Clinical Update for the Senior Care Pharmacist – available at the ASCP Mid Year Meeting in the Spring. (10 credit hours)

On-line Courses – a minimum of 50 credit hours

Stage I modules

• Basic concepts
• Patient assessment & evaluation
• Therapeutic care planning
• Medication therapy problems
• Cardiovascular
• Endocrine

Stage II modules

• Gastrointestinal
• Infectious diseases
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Evaluation & use of clinical information

Stage III modules

• Dermatology
• Hematology
• Nutrition
• Oncology
• Ophthalmology
• Respiratory
• Natural products and herbal therapies

Question 3. How do I apply for recertification using the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification?

Answer: CGP recertification candidates must complete the CCGP Application for Recertification “Continuing Education” option. Candidates must also apply directly to ASCP to enroll in the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification.

Question 4. How much will it cost to recertify using the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification?

Answer: Recertification candidates must pay a $600.00 Recertification Application Fee when the Application is submitted to CCGP. Candidates will also pay for the cost of the educational programming. Course fees are paid directly to ASCP.

Question 5. How many CE hours are required under the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification?

Answer: A total of 75 hours. Certified Geriatric Pharmacists (CGP’s) may complete these hours at their own pace. However all 75 credits must be earned prior the CGP’s 5 year certification period.

Question 6. Must all of the CE credits be from the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification? For example, I have 40 hours anticoagulation and 20 hours of geropsych from accredited programs.

Answer: All of the CE hours must be obtained from the CCGP approved Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification. These courses are specially designed to cover the content map of the CGP examination and contain assessment components. No other programs, even other programming by ASCP, will be applied toward CGP recertification.

Question 7. May I earn all of these hours either through the live programs or through Stages I through III of the on-line programs?

Answer: No. Candidates must attend two live sessions – one Clinical Update for the Senior Care Pharmacist and one Geriatric Assessment for the Senior Care Pharmacist. Furthermore, for purposes of recertification, only credit hours for one-time attendance at each of these live sessions will be recognized. The remaining credits must be earned by completing all three Stages of the on-line programming.

Question 8. My CGP will expire in the next 12-18 months. Can I recertify using the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification?

Answer: Yes. However, you should carefully plan your schedule in order that you may complete all requirements prior to the expiration date of your certification period.

Question 9. I have already enrolled in the Professional Development Program and have been taking the required courses. However, my present certification may expire before I am able to complete all components of the Program. Will I be given the opportunity to complete the Program and be recertified?

Answer: If your certification expires before completing the Professional Development Program, you will be given an additional six-month period on your present certification period in order to complete the Program. If you are unable to complete the Program during this period, you will be required to take and pass the recertification examination.

Question 10. Is there an assessment component to the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification?

Answer: Yes. Each of the courses will have a mandatory assessment component. Recertification candidates will be expected to receive a passing score set at 70% on all of the required courses. ASCP will report scores to CCGP for purposes of recertification.

Question 11. If I do not receive a passing score on a required course, may I retake the assessment?

Answer: Yes.

Question 12. Will I be able to use the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification towards the CE requirements for re-licensure?

Answer: The American Council on Pharmacy Education (ACPE) has approved all of the components of the Professional Development Program for CGP Recertification for continuing pharmaceutical education.

Question 13. How can I monitor my progress in participating in the Professional Development Program?

Answer: The Program includes an on-line monitoring system whereby you can follow your progress in completing the courses. You may also print out course certificates as you complete each component. In addition, CCGP will periodically send you progress reports that gives you an update on your participation.

For answers to specific questions about the recertification program, contact Tracy Scott, Certification Coordinator, Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy, 703-535-3036, (tlangford@ccgp.org).