What CE categories are required for pharmacists in California?

Board-provided law and ethics: 2 hours; Controlled-substance prescribing (if the pharmacist prescribes Schedule II controlled substances), every four years (conditional): 1 hours; Cultural competency: 1 hours; Emergency contraception (if the pharmacist furnishes emergency contraception) (conditional): 1 hours; Immunization (if the pharmacist administers immunizations) (conditional): 1 hours; Smoking cessation (if the pharmacist furnishes nicotine-replacement products) (conditional): 1 hours; Travel medicine (if the pharmacist furnishes travel medicines) (conditional): 2 hours. Board rules change — verify against the official source.

California Pharmacy CE category requirements

How the 30 CE hours every 2 years breaks down by category for pharmacists in California, sourced from the official board.

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30CE hours every 2 yearsVerify with board

Required categories

Board-provided law and ethics

Controlled-substance prescribing (if the pharmacist prescribes Schedule II controlled substances), every four years (conditional)

Cultural competency

Emergency contraception (if the pharmacist furnishes emergency contraception) (conditional)

Immunization (if the pharmacist administers immunizations) (conditional)

Smoking cessation (if the pharmacist furnishes nicotine-replacement products) (conditional)

Travel medicine (if the pharmacist furnishes travel medicines) (conditional)

Confirmed against official California State Board of Pharmacy materials (16 CCR 1732.5, pharmacist renewal form, and Board newsletter): 30 hours in the prior 24 months, biennial renewal expiring on the last day of the birth month, with 2 Board-provided law/ethics hours and 1 cultural-competency hour required of all pharmacists; conditional 1 hour smoking cessation, 2 hours travel medicine, 1 hour emergency contraception, and 1 hour immunization for pharmacists who furnish or administer those services; an additional 1 hour every four years for pharmacists who prescribe Schedule II controlled substances; the first renewal after licensure is exempt from CE.

Official source: California State Board of Pharmacy

Full requirements: California Pharmacy CE requirements
When it's due: California Pharmacy license renewal deadline
What it costs: California Pharmacy license renewal fees
Audits & penalties: California Pharmacy CE audits & penalties

⚠️Board rules change. Verify every figure against the official source before relying on it.

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California Pharmacy CE category requirements

Required categories

Related

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CE categories — other professions in California

Pharmacy CE categories — other states