Continuing Education Requirements for
Florida Pharmacists

Requirements:
Florida licensed pharmacists are required to obtain 30 hours of approved courses of continued professional pharmaceutical education the 24 month period prior to the expiration date of the license. For example approved continuing education courses will need to be completed between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2007 before the “PS” license expires on September 30, 2007. (64B16-26.103)

Ten of the 30 hours of approved courses of continued professional pharmaceutical education must be LIVE continuing education hours. LIVE continuing education is defined as a live seminar, a live video, teleconference, or through an interactive computer based application. (64B16-26.103)

Medication Error Continuing Education Requirements:
As part of the biennial renewal, pharmacists are required to complete a 2 hour Florida Board of Pharmacy or ACPE approved course on Medication Errors.  The course must contain the following components: (a) root-cause analysis; (b) error reduction and prevention; (c) patient safety.  The two-hour program may be applied towards the 30 hour continuing education requirement. (64B16-26.103)

HIV/AIDS Continuing Education Requirements:
Effective July 1, 2006, applicants for licensure are No longer required by Chapter 456, FS, to show proof of a course on HIV/AIDS as part of the initial licensure process.

You will, however, be required by Chapter 456, FS, to take an HIV/AIDS course approved by the Florida Board for your first renewal.  As of July 1, 2006, licensees will no longer be required by Chapter 456, FS, to take an HIV/AIDS course for each renewal.

Consultant Re-Certification Continuing Education Requirements:
Florida licensed consultant pharmacists must complete no less than 24 hours of Board approved consultant continuing education (see rule 64B-26.302) within the 24 month period prior to the expiration date of the consultant license.  For example, Florida approved consultant CE programs must be completed between Jan. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2006 for consultant licenses that expire Dec. 31, 2006.

Course content for consultant re-certification programs must consist of at least 12 hour blocks of self contained training in specified subjects.  The subjects can be divided into 3 hour blocks of any subject category.

FAQ:
If I run out of time and cannot complete my full credits for licensure renewal, what options do I have?

The first advice is making sure that you plan ahead and get your credits way before the deadline.  Remember, all ACPE credits are valid in Florida, special Board approval is only required for HIV/AIDS, Consultant Pharmacist, and Nuclear Pharmacists credits. If you have experienced a hardship (due to health, accident, etc.) you can petition the Board for an extension.  They will work with you.

You don’t want to be delinquent on CE requirements.  You will be disciplined and a mark remains on your license forever, not to mention the fees, penalties, etc. that you end up paying.