2008 Continuing Education
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kinds of CE will be offered this year?
During 2008, the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy and the Tennessee Pharmacists Association will be offering a variety of ways for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to earn continuing education credits to maintain existing competency and to develop new competencies. This year we are again offering several methods for earning CE credits, including live seminars, live teleconferences, web-based courses, certificate programs and independent-study courses.
Are all these programs approved for CE credit in Tennessee?
All of the following continuing education activities are approved for CE credit in the majority of those states, including Tennessee, requiring proof of continuing education for re-licensure as a pharmacist or re-certification as a pharmacy technician.
How do I get my statement of CE credit hours?
An original statement of continuing education hours will be either provided at the conclusion of the activity, or mailed following completion of the activity. If you need this information for additional states, most state boards will accept photocopies. If not, please advise us, and we will provide additional original statements.
The CE requirement for pharmacists licensed in Tennessee is 30 hours every two years, renewed on a staggered monthly basis. PTCB certified pharmacy technicians must complete 20 hours of CE every two years, including one hour of law (ACPE number ending in "03").
Are there any requirements as to the type of credits?
The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy requires 30 hours of CE credit during the proceeding two-year period of your license renewal. One-half (15 hours) must be live programs.
How do I know if a program is "live"?
Live programs are designated as "L" (as opposed to home study or correspondence courses designated as "H") in the last three digits of the ACPE program number.
What do the other numbers in the ACPE number mean?
Some states--not Tennessee--require that a portion of the CE requirement be from select topics designated by the last digit of the ACPE number: 01-Therapeutics, 02-AIDS, 03-Law, 04-General or 05-Drug Safety. PTCB certified pharmacy technicians in Tennessee must complete one hour of law every two years--program number ending in 03. The designation "P" is for pharmacists only, "T" for technicians only, or "P & T" if the program is accredited for both pharmacists and technicians.
Where can I obtain my credits?
In Tennessee, eighty percent (80%) or twenty-four (24) of the thirty (30) hours must be obtained from a provider approved by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). The remaining six hours (20%) may be obtained from an ACPE provider, or programs pre-approved by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy, but these non-ACPE hours will not count toward the "live" requirement. That is, you must have at least 15 live hours with an ACPE number every two years.
How do I know if the provider is ACPE approved?
To determine if a provider of continuing education is approved by the ACPE, look for the ACPE logo and a program number on informational brochures.
What if I'm licensed in states other than Tennessee?
UT College of Pharmacy sponsored activities will be acceptable in all states that recognize ACPE approved providers. Credits obtained at one activity will usually meet the requirement in multiple states.
For most programs, you may enroll by telephone, fax, regular mail, e-mail, or on-line. For most of the live seminars, registration information will be mailed 4 to 6 weeks prior to each activity and will be posted on the College's web site: http://cop.utmem.edu (click on continuing education).
What about pharmacy technicians? Are they invited to participate in these CE activities?
Pharmacy technicians who are certified through the PTCB are required to obtain CE. Many program will be offered for both pharmacists and technicians. These will be designated as "P" for pharmacists, "T" for technicians, or "P & T" in the program is accredited for both pharmacists and atechnicians.
If you have questions regarding the CE requirements and regulations, please contact:
Tennessee Board of Pharmacy Office in Nashville:
Telephone: (615) 741-2718
Fax: (615) 741-2722
Web-site: http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/pharmacy/
or
UT College of Pharmacy CE Office in Knoxville:
Telephone: (865) 974-6605
Fax: (865) 974-2987
E-mail: Glen Farr: gfarr@utk.edu
Web-site: http://cop.utmem.edu, click on "continuing education"