Continuing Education

CE Requirements

There is no grace period for completion of continuing education. It must be completed prior to license or registration renewal biennially.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education for each biennial renewal period. The hours must be completed within the licensed period, i.e., July 1, 2022-June 30, 2024 (for licenses expiring June 30, 2024). You should retain certificates of completion for 5 years.

Board CE Requirement for Pharmacists

New requirement (as of July 1, 2023): Pharmacists must complete 1 hour of CE provided by the Board each renewal cycle. This requirement counts toward the 30 hour total required for renewal. The current course designated by the Board is "K-TRACS for Pharmacies: Good Data In, Good Data Out." The course will be available starting July 17, 2023.

Technicians

Technicians are required to complete 20 hours of continuing education for each biennial renewal period. The hours must be complete within the registration period, i.e., November 1, 2022-October 31, 2024 (for licenses expiring October 31, 2024).

How to Obtain CE Credit

CPE Monitor

Register for the CPE Monitor to track ACPE continuing education hours. If the hours are listed on your CPE Monitor, you do not need to submit your completion certificate to the Board; however, it is your responsibility to verify that all CE (including hours that are supposed to appear on the CPE Monitor) have been received by the Board.

ACPE hours are automatically accepted by the Board and do not need to be submitted for approval.

Kansas-Approved CPE

The Board maintains a List of Kansas-approved CPE for pharmacist and pharmacy technician continuing education hours. To receive credit for these courses, submit a copy of your completion certificate to the Board within 30 days of course completion. Certificates can be mailed, faxed or emailed to the Board.

Individuals and CE providers may also request approval for continuing education by submitting a request to the Board at least 10 days in advance of the course date. The requests are reviewed by the CE Review Committee.

CE programs should not include in-service programs, on-the-job training, orientation for a job, an education program open to the general public, a CPR course, a basic cardiac life support (BCLS) course, emergency or disaster training or direct experience at a healthcare facility under a code blue, testing out of a course, or medical school courses.

CE providers are required to distribute certificates of completion to attendees in accordance with KAR 68-1-1b. Download a Sample Certificate of Completion that meets the Board’s requirements.

Other State BOP CE

You may obtain continuing education hours from another state Board of Pharmacy. To receive credit, submit a copy of your certificate of completion to the Kansas Board within 30 days of course completion. Certificates can be mailed, faxed or emailed to the Board.

Continuing Education Audit

The Board audits continuing education hours from licensees and registrants each year. You will receive a letter informing you of the audit and requesting copies of CE certificates not available on your CPE Monitor.

If you do not respond to the audit request in a timely manner, you could face disciplinary action.

CPE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Continuing Education (CE)

  • How many CE hours do I need?

    Pharmacists are required to complete 30 hours of approved continuing education for each biennial renewal period. The hours must be completed within the licensed period, for example:   
    For licenses expiring in 2019: CE must be completed between July 1, 2017 and the day you renew;
    For licenses expiring in 2020: CE must be completed between July 1, 2018 and the day you renew;
    If you are a new licensee, the number is prorated and given to you in your original licensure letter.
    Technicians are required to complete 20 hours of approved continuing education for each biennial renewal period. The hours must be completed within the renewal period.
    For licenses expiring in 2019: CE must be completed between November 1, 2017 and the day you renew;
    For licenses expiring in 2020: CE must be completed between November 1, 2018 and the day you renew; 

  • What is a CEU?

    One CEU (continuing education unit) = 10 CE hours. A contact hour is equal to 60 clock minutes.

  • How do I request approval of a CE course or program?

    Each CE program shall be submitted to the Board at least 10 days in advance of the course date for consideration for approval using Form E-100 for CE Requests from Providers or Form E-200for CE Requests from Individuals. ACPE courses are automatically accepted by the Board and do not need to be submitted for approval. CE courses approved by another state Board of Pharmacy are also automatically accepted. CE programs shall not include in-service programs, on-the-job training, orientation for a job, an education program open to the general public, a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course, a basic cardiac life support (BCLS) course, emergency or disaster training or direct experience at a healthcare facility under a code blue, testing out of a course, or medical school courses. 

  • Can a licensee request approval of CE course or program if he/she is not the provider?

    Yes. Please follow the course approval submission requirements using Form E-2000 for CE Requests from Individuals.

  • How do I know if a CE course or program is approved in Kansas?

    All ACPE-approved courses are approved in Kansas for CE credit. Other courses must be submitted to the Board for approval and then are listed on an approved course list, which is available on our website. Courses approved by other state pharmacy boards are also approved in Kansas. 

  • Can I carry-over unused CE hours from one license period to another?

    No. CE hours cannot be carried over to the next renewal period. Acquisition of CE begins the first day of the month following the renewal period. 

  • Can I combine fractions of CE hours to receive full credit?

    Yes. CE hours are recorded in fractions of hours.

  • Do I have to send copies of my CE certificates to the Board?

    Beginning August 1, 2016, you must submit proof of completion (copy of your certificate) of any approved CE program to the Board within 30 days of completion, unless the course is listed on your CPE monitor. Certificates should be in PDF format on the letterhead of the provider and include the program title, the Kansas approved course number, the participant’s name, the number of credits earned by the participant, and the date completed. All courses on the CPE monitor are automatically reported to the Board. It is the licensee’s responsibility to verify that all CE (including hours that are supposed to appear on the CPE Monitor) have been received by the Board. 
    No credit shall be given for any certificate received by the board after the June 30 expiration date of each licensure period. Do not send originals to the Board office. 

  • Do I need to retain copies of my CE certificates?

    Yes. You are required to keep your CE records and certificate for any hours used to renew for up to five years. If you receive notice of CE Audit, you will be required to send legible copies of certificates, transcripts, or grade reports. Certificates should be in PDF format on the letterhead of the provider and include the program title, the Kansas approved course number, the participant’s name, the number of credits earned by the participant, and the date completed. 

  • Can I get CE hours by attending Board of Pharmacy meetings?

    No. CE credit will not be given for any Board meeting attended after December 1, 2015.

  • Can I request a waiver of my CE hours?

    No. All licensees are required to complete the requisite CE hours unless they are renewing their pharmacist license on inactive status. There is no inactive status for a technician. 

  • How do I submit my CE certificate to the Board?

    After July 1, 2016, you must submit proof of completion (copy of your certificate) for any approved CE program not listed on your CPE monitor.
    Certificates may be hand-delivered or submitted by mail to 
    Kansas State Board of Pharmacy 
    800 SW Jackson, Suite 1414 
    Topeka, KS 66612
    Emailed to [email protected], or 
    Faxed to 785-296-8420.
    In the future, certificates may also be uploaded to your Kansas Pharmacy eLicense account. 

  • How do I submit my CPE monitor to the Board?

    If you do not have a CPE monitor account, please visit the NABP website, create an account, and designate Kansas as a state that can access your CPE monitor. If you are licensed in multiple states, be sure to indicate that information on the CPE monitor. 

  • Do I need to submit my CPE monitor?

    No. As long as you gave Kansas permission to view your CPE monitor, the Board can access your CPE monitor directly and you do not need to submit any CE hours listed on your CPE monitor. 

  • Will my CE from Missouri, Oklahoma, or another state count in Kansas?

    Yes, if the CE has been approved by that state’s Board of Pharmacy. Upon submission of your certificate of completion to the Kansas Board, please include the document or minutes granting CE approval in the state of origin. 

  • Can I request an extension of time to complete my CE?

    There is NO grace period for completion of CE hours, and no extensions will be granted. CE is not required while a license is on inactive status. However, continuing education will be required for reinstatement to active status.

  • If I have not obtained the required CE hours, can I renew my pharmacist license on inactive status?

    Yes, but only if the following conditions are met:
    1. The renewal application is timely submitted along with the renewal fee.
    2. No grounds exist for denying renewal of your license other than you have not complied with the CE requirements fixed by the Board.
    3. You will not engage in the practice of pharmacy in Kansas while on inactive status.
    CE is not required while a license is on inactive status. However, CE will be required for reinstatement to active status. 

  • What do I do if I receive a notice that my CE is being audited?

    Return the letter along with legible copies of all the CE hour certificates (or requisite hours) that are not available to Kansas on your CPE Monitor.

  • Can I use CE that I completed for my Pharmacy Technician national certification?

    Yes, CE that you have earned and applied to your national certification renewal can also be used toward your state registration renewal. 

  • Do I have to take technician specific CE?

    No, you may complete CE approved for pharmacist or pharmacy technicians