2004 Continuing Education Questions and Answers

What kinds of CE will be offered this year?

During 2004, 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 while maintaining existing and developing new competencies. Whatever you call it, continuing education or keeping up-to-date, there is a need among pharmacy practitioners to keep abreast of the current developments in drug therapy, health-care management and legal and regulatory changes. This year we are again offering several methods for earning CE credits, including the live seminars, certificate programs and independent-study or home-study courses listed on this page.

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 relicensure as a pharmacist or recertification as a pharmacy technician.

How do I get my certificate?

An original statement (certificate) of continuing education hours will be provided at the conclusion of each activity, or in some cases mailed within two weeks following the activity. If you need this information for additional states, most state boards will accept photocopies. If not, please advise and we will provide additional original statements.

How many hours do I need?

The CE requirement for pharmacists in Tennessee is 30 hours every two years renewed on a staggered monthly basis. Certified Pharmacy Technicians must complete 20 hours of CE every two years, including one hour of law.

Are there any requirements as to the type of credits?

The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy requires 30 hours of CE credit during the preceding two-year period of your license renewal. One-half (15) of these hours must be live programs.

How will 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 ACPE program number.

What do those other numbers 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. Certified pharmacy technicians in Tennessee must complete one hour of law every two years--programs ending in 03.

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 on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE). The remaining six hours (20%) may be obtained from an ACPE provider, or programs pre-approved by the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy.

How do I know if the provider is ACPE approved?

What if I'm licensed in states other than Tennessee?

If you are licensed to practice pharmacy in one of the 49 states other than Tennessee that require continuing education for relicensure, 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.

How do I enroll or register?

If you wish to enroll in a self-study course, contact the University of Tennessee for an enrollment form. For live seminars, registration information will be mailed 4-6 weeks prior to each activity.

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. Technicians, whether certified or not, are invited to attend seminars and/or complete independent study courses that they feel are applicable to their work.

Other questions?

If you have questions regarding these requirements, please telephone the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy office at 615-741-2718 or e-mail: klynch@mail.state.tn.us. Or contact the UT College of Pharmacy CE Office at 865-974-6605, e-mail: gfarr@utk.edu or visit the Tennessee College of Pharmacy website.