Next CPJE Date is January 18, 2020

Registration is currently open for pharmacist examination applicants to take the CPJE on January 18, 2020, at testing sites nationwide. To schedule an exam, go to candidate.psiexams.com or call (877) 392-6422. The January 18 test date is open to anyone who has been notified of eligibility to take the CPJE.

CPJE Update – 12/2/19

Results of the CPJE administered November 16-17, 2019, are being released this week, beginning December 2. Applicants will receive their results by mail.

In addition, pharmacist applicants who have passed both the CPJE and the NAPLEX will receive a Request for Issuance of Pharmacist License application with their CPJE results. Applicants can submit the form and payment by mail, or they may instead request and pay for their pharmacist license online. Applicants will be notified by email once the board has approved and issued the license.

To request and pay for your pharmacist license electronically, complete and submit the online Request for Issuance of Pharmacist License application. A link to the application can be found on the board’s website at Applicants > Apply for a Personal License > Online Payment for Request for Issuance of Pharmacist License.

Reminder: ID Required for CPJE

The Board of Pharmacy reminds pharmacist candidates taking the CPJE, that candidates must present TWO different forms of identification listed below at the testing site. At least one ID form MUST contain a PHOTO. Photocopies, temporary identifications, and expired forms of ID will NOT be accepted.

Note: Your name on both ID forms must be identical – letter for letter – to your full legal name of record with the Board of Pharmacy, including middle name or initial.

Applicants must present two different types of ID from the list below:

• US state-, commonwealth-, or territory-issued driver’s license or identification card (may only present one).
• US government-issued passport book or card (may only present one).
• US Social Security card (cannot be laminated).
• US military-issued identification.
• National identity card.

VERIFY YOUR LEGAL NAME OF RECORD
Please verify your full legal name of record with the board at PSI’s website: https://candidate.psiexams.com/catalog/fti_agency_license_details.jsp?fromwhere=findtest&testid=935. (If you registered for the CPJE over the phone with PSI, you will be required to create an account with PSI to verify your name of record.)

If your full legal name of record does not match your name on your forms of identification, send us a message..

CPJE Update – 10/31/19

Additional dates for pharmacist examination applicants to take the CPJE are set for December 19, 20 and 21, 2019. The exam will be offered at testing sites nationwide. Registration for these dates will open November 20, 2019. The December 19-21 test dates are open to anyone who has been notified of eligibility to take the CPJE, including applicants who took the invalidated exam but could not retake the test in November.

To schedule an exam, go to candidate.psiexams.com or call (877) 392-6422.

FOR APPLICANTS WHO TOOK THE INVALIDATED CPJE:
Applicants who are retaking the CPJE because the previous exam was invalidated do not have to pay any fees to retake the exam. However, they must complete and submit a new Examination Security Acknowledgment form before retaking the exam. Please write your file number – which can be found on the original eligibility letter sent to you from the board – at the top of the Examination Security Acknowledgment form.

The Examination Security Acknowledgment form can be downloaded from the board’s website at Applicants > Apply for a Personal License > Pharmacist – Examination and Licensure >  Examination Security Acknowledgment (Form 17A-76).

CPJE Update – 10/22/19

FOR PHARMACISTS WHO TOOK THE INVALIDATED CPJE:

Beginning October 22, 2019, pharmacist applicants can register to retake the CPJE in California on November 17, 2019, at testing sites in Burbank, El Monte/Santa Fe Springs, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco. 

As a reminder, registration remains open for applicants who want to retake the CPJE on November 16. 2019, at testing sites in California and nationwide.

To schedule an exam, go to candidate.psiexams.com or call (877) 392-6422. PSI has committed to accommodating all candidates who want to retake the exam.

The Board of Pharmacy is working to streamline the application process for candidates who cannot retake the CPJE on November 16-17, 2019. Candidates applying to retake the exam will not have to submit application fees, LiveScan/fingerprint requirements, or transcripts.

FUTURE CPJE TESTING:

The Board of Pharmacy is working to secure dates to administer the CPJE in December. Details about future test dates and other CPJE information will be posted on the board’s website as soon as it becomes available.

CPJE Update – 10/17/19

The Board of Pharmacy has mailed letters to pharmacist applicants who took the invalidated CPJE for retaking the exam at no cost on either November 16 or November 17, 2019. Below are instructions from the letter to register to retake the test.

NOTE: November 16 and 17 test dates are ONLY for applicants who took the invalidated CPJE.

PSI has established different periods to schedule for the test November 16 and November 17. Please note below the appropriate time frame to schedule to retake the exam on November 16 or November 17.   

TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE CPJE ON NOVEMBER 16:

Test Date: November 16

Scheduling Dates: 10/16 – 10/31

Deadline to Schedule: 10/31

Testing Locations: California and approved locations outside of California

             
TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE CPJE ON NOVEMBER 17:

Test Date: November 17

Scheduling Dates: 11/2 – 11/16

Deadline to Schedule: 11/16

Testing Locations: California only

NOTE: Scheduling for the November 17 test date in California opens November 2. PSI will not schedule November 17 test date appointments before November 2. The board will work diligently with PSI to ensure space is available for all applicants who want to retake the test in California on November 17.

To schedule an exam, go to www.psiexams.com or call (877) 392-6422.

FUTURE CPJE TESTING FOR ALL CANDIDATES:
The board is working on dates to administer the CPJE in December. Details about future test dates and other CPJE information will be posted on the board’s website as soon as it becomes available.

CPJE Update – 10/16/19

Under California law, the California State Board of Pharmacy (board) is required to administer the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists (CPJE) to assess an applicant’s minimum competency to safely practice pharmacy.  As a cornerstone of the board’s mission, the examination must be psychometrically sound, valid, and reliable in order to be a measurement of competency. Regrettably, because of the scope of recent examination subversion, certain examinations do not satisfy these standards; that is, the compromised examinations are not a reliable and valid measure of the competency of entry level pharmacists.

In September 2019, the board obtained credible information about acts subverting the examination, which also indicated the validity and reliability of the CPJE may have been compromised. As a result, the board launched an investigation about the events and announced that exam scores would not be released until further notice.

Earlier this month, the board determined that what the board initially hoped to be limited acts of exam subversion are, instead, numerous acts that resulted in widespread exposure of the exam questions. At this time, the board cannot discuss many details about the subversive acts; investigators, however, have determined that over 100 test questions were compromised through the sharing of examination questions using web-based sharing services. 

As a result of the significant public exposure of the test questions, those questions no longer validly measure applicants’ knowledge, skills, and ability to safely practice as pharmacists.

If the board relies on an invalid examination, it risks licensing persons who lack the minimum level of competency required for independent and safe practice, exposing California consumers to considerable risk of harm by unqualified licensees. By law, the board must prioritize the protection of the public in exercising its licensing functions.  Based on these principles, the board cannot accept the exams relying on the exposed questions as a valid measure of competency to safely practice as a pharmacist.

The board developed a plan, however, to allow applicants who were awaiting exam results to retake the CPJE at no additional cost.

During this period, many applicants waiting for CPJE scores have contacted the board. The board sincerely regrets that the actions of some are negatively impacting the lives of many.  The board must, however, address the impact of the subversion on the examination’s validity.  California consumers must have confidence that individuals passing a licensing exam have the requisite knowledge and skills to practice safely and competently.

Applicants have now been advised of available dates to retake the examination, November 16 and 17, 2019. Applicants have also been advised how to schedule the examination on one of these two dates. The Board will work diligently to expedite the results of the exam.  Applicants who are unable to take the examination during this limited administration will need to reapply to take the examination when the next administration window is available.

We appreciate your understanding with this challenging situation.

CPJE Investigation Update – 10/14/19

The California State Board of Pharmacy (board) is continuing to investigate wide-scale subversion of the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists (CPJE). The subversion involves instances of applicants removing and sharing exam questions with other applicants.

In the meantime, all pending CPJE results have been invalidated. The board is working on a solution to allow impacted candidates a limited opportunity to retake the CPJE at no cost. The board expects to release more information about how to retake the exam within a week.

We understand and regret the hardship that invalidating CPJE scores has caused for pharmacist candidates. This has also been a difficult process for the board.

However, as a state consumer protection agency, the board’s priority is to ensure applicants can reliably demonstrate they possess the proper knowledge, training and skill necessary to provide competent pharmacy care for California consumers. We believe this solution enables the board to assist candidates while also meeting its statutory obligation of setting protection of the public as “the highest priority for the California State Board of Pharmacy.” (Business and Professions Code section 4001.1)

Anyone with information relevant to the CPJE investigation is urged to contact the board at (916) 518-3106 or ask.inspector@dca.ca.gov. Information may be reported anonymously.

ASHP Statement Regarding CPJE – Updated 10/1/19

The California State Board of Pharmacy is posting the following statement issued by American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) on Oct. 1, 2019. Questions may be directed to ASD@asph.org.

Dear Residency Program Directors and Directors of Pharmacy,

In response to  the California (CA) Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Exam for Pharmacists (CPJE) compromise, the Commission on Credentialing voted to recommend, and the ASHP Board of Directors approved, the following waivers for CA Residency programs.

1. To grant a temporary waiver to any CA pharmacy resident who passed the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) for the requirement that residents complete 2/3 of their residency as a pharmacist licensed to practice in the program’s jurisdiction until the CA State Board of Pharmacy resolves the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists (CPJE) compromise, CPJE results are released, and pharmacy residents are licensed. During the waiver period, no CA or Veterans Affairs (VA) program affected by the CPJE compromise will be sanctioned for not meeting the licensure requirement.
   
   
2. To grant a temporary waiver to any resident who sought initial licensure in CA, passed the NAPLEX, and practices in a VA facility in another state for the requirement that residents complete 2/3 of their residency as a pharmacist licensed to practice in the program’s jurisdiction until the CA State Board of Pharmacy resolves the CPJE compromise, CPJE results are released, and pharmacy residents are licensed. During the waiver period, no VA program affected by the CPJE compromise will be sanctioned for not meeting the licensure requirement.
   
   
3. To grant a temporary waiver to any post-graduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy resident not originally licensed in CA and seeking licensure in CA for the requirement that residents complete 2/3 of their residency as a pharmacist licensed to practice in the program’s jurisdiction until the CA State Board of Pharmacy resolves the CPJE compromise, CPJE results are released, and pharmacy residents are licensed. During the waiver period, no CA or VA program affected by the CPJE compromise will be sanctioned for not meeting the licensure requirement.

The temporary waivers remain in effect until the CPJE compromise is resolved and the COC takes an additional action to rescind the waivers.

Stephen Ford, Pharm.D., BCOP, BCPS
Director, Residency Accreditation
Accreditation Services Office
ASHP

CPJE Investigation Update (Updated 9/27/19)

The California State Board of Pharmacy is continuing to investigate evidence of cheating on the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists (CPJE). So far, evidence indicates numerous exam questions were disclosed and therefore compromised. As a result, the Board will continue to withhold the exam results until the investigation is completed.

Although we recognize the difficulty this delay presents for applicants, the Board’s priority is to ensure applicants can reliably demonstrate they possess the proper knowledge, training and skill necessary to provide competent pharmacy care for consumers.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is urged to contact the Board by filing a complaint at https://www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/complaint_form2.pdf or contacting the board directly at (916) 518-3106 or ask.inspector@dca.ca.gov. Information may be reported anonymously.

Board Statement Regarding CPJE (9/18/19)

The California State Board of Pharmacy has received credible information indicating the validity and reliability of the California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists (CPJE) has been compromised. As a result, the board is not releasing the CPJE results until further notice. The board is conducting an investigation into this matter and encourages anyone with any information to contact the board at www.pharmacy.ca.gov/forms/complaint_form2.pdf. We will release more information as we are able to do so.