We are updating our website to align with the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA), which is now in force. Some pages may still reference the former HPA as we work through these changes. Note, all pharmacy professionals and pharmacies must now comply with the new HPOA and Bylaws and the revisedPharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act(PODSA) and Bylaws.
If you do not renew your licence by the expiry date, you will no longer be licensed with the College and will become a “former” licensee. This means that you will not be a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy technician in BC, you will not be allowed to practice pharmacy in BC and your access to PharmaNet will be terminated. If you are also a manager of a pharmacy, your pharmacy licence will be cancelled.
The following will be displayed on your device screen once the continuing education (CE) requirements have been satisfied.
Yes, learning from any source is acceptable as long as it is within your scope of practice as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are assigned by the accrediting body to a specific learning activity. The “conversion” of CEUs into accredited hours varies between different accrediting bodies; the requirement is for accredited hours. You should confirm with the course provider the number of hours the activity is accredited for.
A minimum of 5 hours must be accredited learning and supporting documentation needs to be provided as part of the Learning Record (s) it pertains to. Supporting documentation that states the licensee’s name, the accrediting body, the number of accredited hours assigned, the date of completion, date accreditation is valid until, etc. is received upon successful completion. Document the hours the activity is accredited for under the “Accredited Hours” field in the PDAP Portal.
Accredited learning activities have been reviewed using stringent criteria to ensure they are of high quality, unbiased, and clearly identify learning objectives for participants. Accredited programs indicate the number of accredited hours assigned, and identify the accrediting body (such as CCCEP, UBC CPPD, ACPE, MAINPRO, etc.). Supporting documentation that states the licensee’s name, the accrediting body, the number of accredited hours assigned, the date of completion, date accreditation is valid until, etc. is received upon successful completion.
Besides CE, there are many other requirements for renewal, including payment. You can begin the renewal process at any time, but in order to complete the renewal process, including payment, you must have completed and submitted your CE requirements for the most recent 12 months of your licence renewal deadline. If this is the first time you are renewing your licence, submissions of CE will not be required to proceed with the renewal.
Your CE Submissions along with all your other licence renewal requirements are due on your licence renewal deadline. You renew for the following year by submitting your CE learning activities undertaken within the most recent 12 months of your licence renewal deadline.
No, you must identify, fill out and submit at least 6 separate Learning Records - one for each goal - every year. Individual learning activities that you have undertaken during the year can be combined based on the goal and documented on one of these 6 Learning Records. You must have a minimum of 15 hours of learning documented on a minimum of 6 Learning Records. A minimum of 5 hours must be accredited learning.
A Learning Record is an online form that assists you in documenting your learning activities. Licensees must complete and submit a minimum of 15 hours of learning documented on a minimum of 6 Learning Records prior to licence renewal each year. A minimum of 5 hours must be accredited learning. Furthermore, all pharmacy professionals are required to include a minimum of 3 hours of accredited or non-accredited learning activities per year related to Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism, recorded on a minimum of 1 Learning Record.