Continuing education
Continuing competence is a critical component of the College’s quality assurance program. Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians must comply with the College’s Continuing Education Policy to demonstrate continuing competence.
Continuing Education Policy
approved by Council July 16, 2019, Updated June 2023
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians in the General register are required to obtain
20 units of accredited learning in the year immediately preceding their registration renewal.
Accredited learning activities may comprise the following subject areas:
(a) patient care;
(b) professional collaboration;
(c) ethical, legal and professional responsibility;
(d) drug, therapeutic and practice information;
(e) drug distribution;
(f) communication and education;
(g) management knowledge and skills;
(h) safety and quality assurance;
(i) health promotion;
(j) administration of drugs and vaccines by pharmacists;
(k) prescribing by pharmacists;
(l) preceptorship;
(m) dispensing of methadone and suboxone;
(n) travel vaccines.
All continuing education shall be approved by one of the following bodies:
(a) the Canadian Council for Continued Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP);
(b) Dalhousie Continuing Pharmacy Education;
(c) the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE);
(d) Mainpro+;
(e) other provincial regulatory bodies;
(f) the Council.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, registrants must complete all requirements of the program in the year that they transfer.
You must complete the requirements for the year prior to your return from leave.
Some resources for finding continuing education programs include:
Up to 20% of registrants will be reviewed each year for completion of the program requirements. As part of this review, you may be asked to submit documentation such as certificates of completion to the College.
It is sufficient to keep documentation, such as CE certificates of completion, for two years.
No, there is no carry over of CE units to the next year.
Your registration can not be renewed if CE requirements are not met.
Currently, the College will only accept accredited programs for CE units. This means that you can claim CEUs for precepting a pharmacy student for structured practice experience through Dalhousie or Memorial University as these programs have been accredited through Dal CPE and the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board.