Frequently Asked Questions

International ACPE accreditation questions?

Questions regarding pharmacy accreditation in Canada?

International activity questions?

Accreditation Statistics

What are ACPE's guidelines for logo usage?

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International Accreditation

Does ACPE accredit pharmacy programs in countries other than the USA? How is that accreditation recognized by state boards of pharmacy?

ACPE has accredited only one pharmacy program that is not based in the USA - the PharmD of the Lebanese American University in Byblos, Lebanon. The program, accredited in June 2002, was evaluated using the same policies, procedures and standards as for all other PharmD programs accredited by ACPE. ACPE does not have different standards for non-USA-based programs.

The ACPE standards for degree programs in pharmacy were developed with US systems of education and healthcare delivery in mind. Accordingly, it is anticipated that not many non-USA-based programs will satisfy the criteria of the PharmD Standards. ACPE is NOT currently accepting applications for accreditation from programs that are based outside the US.

When an applicant applies for licensure as a pharmacist, most states boards of pharmacy in the USA recognize ACPE-accreditation of the applicant's pharmacy degree as satisfying the educational requirements to sit for NAPLEX®, the North American Pharmacist Licensure ExaminationT. However, some states have additional requirements for "foreign graduates", and these may be irrespective of the accreditation status of the applicant's qualification. In this regard, regulations differ from state to state. Accordingly, some states will require foreign graduates, even those with an ACPE-accredited degree, to first obtain Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination CommitteeT (FPGEC®) Certification, before being eligible to apply to sit for NAPLEX®. Further information about these examinations and state licensure requirements can be obtained from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) www.nabp.net and individual state boards of pharmacy.

Does ACPE accredit providers of continuing education (CE) and CE programs in countries other than the USA?

A few of ACPE's accredited providers of continuing pharmacy education are not US-based. ACPE does not accredit individual CE programs, however, through some of its accredited providers, ACPE-accreditation has also be obtained for meetings and conference symposia in other countries, for example, at the annual conference of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).

Does ACPE offer anything other than program accreditation for schools and colleges of pharmacy?

ACPE does not currently offer any formal evaluation other than accreditation for PharmD programs. Furthermore, ACPE is NOT currently accpeting applications for accreditation from programs that are based outside the US. In the past, ACPE has also provided consultation and program assessment (other than a formal evaluation for purposes of accreditation) to colleges and schools of pharmacy outside the United States . Such consultations are carried out in accordance with ACPE's policies and procedures for international activities, a copy of which is available on request. Alternatives to full [PharmD] accreditation may be considered in the future.

Pharmacy Accreditation in Canada

Are pharmacy degree programs in Canada accredited by ACPE?

ACPE does not accredit the degree programs of faculties of pharmacy in Canada. This is done by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), www.ccapp-accredit.ca. However, ACPE does work very closely with its Canadian counterpart agency. When CCAPP developed its current standards for baccalaureate pharmacy degree programs in Canada, the standards were based on ACPE's PharmD Standards.

In June 2002, ACPE's Board of Directors recognized the accreditation decisions of CCAPP taken since its establishment in 1993 through June 30, 2004 - the date of expiry of ACPE's BS (baccalaureate) Standards. This decision was taken after assessing that CCAPP's policies and procedures were similar to ACPE's, and that the CCAPP baccalaureate standards met or exceeded ACPE's baccalaureate standards. In line with the decision to adopt the PharmD as the sole accredited professional degree in the US, in June 2004, the ACPE Board resolved not to extend the recognition of the CCAPP accreditation decisions beyond June 30, 2004.

How are graduates of Canadian pharmacy programs regarded by state boards of pharmacy?

The wording of state legislation with respect to Canadian graduates differs and consequently state boards of pharmacy differ in how they regard Canadian graduates. Some states allow Canadian pharmacy graduates to sit for NAPLEX® without first having achieved Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination CommitteeT (FPGEC®) Certification. Others have the same requirements for Canadian pharmacy graduates as for other foreign graduates. Current information should be obtained from individual state boards of pharmacy.

What is ACPE's relationship with the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP)?

ACPE enjoys close collaboration with its Canadian counterpart agency, CCAPP. ACPE provided assistance and advice when CCAPP was established, and CCAPP standards were modeled on ACPE standards.

As discussed elsewhere in this section, in June 2002, the ACPE Board of Directors voted to recognize the accreditation decisions of CCAPP from 1993 - the date of CCAPP's founding - through June 30, 2004, the date of expiry of ACPE's baccalaureate standards. In October 2002, ACPE and CCAPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (pdf, 180 KB), signifying their desire to collaborate more closely in areas of mutual interest. In line with the decision to adopt the PharmD as the sole accredited professional degree in the US, in June 2004, the ACPE Board resolved not to extend the recognition of the CCAPP accreditation decisions beyond June 30, 2004.

International Activity

What international initiatives are ACPE involved in, and why?

ACPE's mission is to "assure and advance pharmacy education." While its primary focus, and the majority of its activity and effort will always be in the USA, ACPE believes that, in order to achieve this vision and fulfill its mission, it also needs to be involved beyond its borders. ACPE acknowledges that it can both contribute to, and learn from, experiences and initiatives in other countries. ACPE also recognizes the benefits derived from monitoring and influencing global trends and developments within the profession of pharmacy, within education generally, and specifically in the areas of quality assurance and quality improvement of pharmacy education.

On a regular basis, ACPE receives requests for assistance from countries wishing to develop or enhance their own systems for the quality assurance of pharmacy education - both for degree programs and for continuing pharmacy education. Some countries have subsequently utilized ACPE's system of accreditation and standards as a basis when introducing or developing their own quality assurance systems. A number of countries are considering or planning a transition to a US-style PharmD, and have sought ACPE's advice and guidance in this regard.

CPE also desires to promote information exchange among organizations and agencies involved in the quality assurance of pharmacy education. Over the past few years, ACPE has been active in the International Forum for the Quality Assurance of Pharmacy Education, an initiative of the Academic Section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Members of staff from ACPE have participated in six meetings of the Forum - in Singapore (2001), in Nice, France (2002), in Sydney, Australia (2003), in New Orleans, Louisiana (2004), in Cairo, Egypt (2005), and in Salvador Bahia, Brazil (2006). Over 250 people from nearly 60 countries, regional and international organizations are now involved in the Forum.

Is ACPE accreditation recognized in other countries?

The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) recognizes ACPE accreditation of an applicant's first professional undergraduate degree in pharmacy and does not require applicants for the Qualifying Examination to first pass the Evaluating Examination, as is required for other foreign (non-Canadian) graduates.

There may be other "informal" (ad hoc) recognition of ACPE accreditation, both of degree programs and CE providers, but ACPE has not been officially advised of such recognition.

What is the International Forum for Quality Assurance in Pharmacy Education and what are its objectives?

The International Forum for Quality Assurance in Pharmacy Education is an informal network of individuals and organizations involved in, or interested in, the quality assurance of pharmacy education. It operates under the auspices of the Academic Section of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and it has convened six meetings at annual congresses of FIP (2001 - 2006). It was established in 2001 through an initiative of ACPE.

The objectives of the Forum are:

A. To promote excellence in education for the profession of pharmacy;

B. To provide an international forum for information exchange, collaboration and cooperation in the area of quality assurance of pharmacy education, both in terms of entry-to-practice degree programs, as well as post-qualification continuing pharmacy education and continuing professional development;

C. To facilitate and promote communication between individuals, agencies, associations, and other bodies actively involved or interested in quality assurance of pharmacy education, with a view to:

1. the establishment of systems of quality assurance in countries where no such formal systems exist, and
2. the continuous quality improvement of existing systems of quality assurance.

The Forum currently has over 250 individuals from approximately 60 countries, regional and international organizations participating. Six meetings have been held - Singapore (2001); Nice, France (2002); Sydney, Australia (2003); New Orleans, Louisiana (2004); Cairo, Egypt (2005); and Salvador Bahia, Brazil (2006). If you would like to be added to the mailing list of the Forum (email address required), please click here.

Can other countries adopt ACPE standards?

ACPE accreditation standards are copyrighted. Anyone wishing to adopt or adapt ACPE standards should contact ACPE, as ACPE would be interested to hear of such an initiative and may be willing to provide assistance. It must, however, be stressed that ACPE standards are developed with US systems of education and healthcare delivery in mind. The outcome competencies, upon which the standards are based, reflect the desired level and scope of practice for pharmacists in the USA , with patient-centered care as the underlying philosophy of practice. The standards may, therefore, not "translate" directly into standards that would be suitable, in their entirety, in other countries.

The system of accreditation used in the US may also be different from quality assurance approaches elsewhere. ACPE is an independent, autonomous agency, and in many other countries quality assurance is the responsibility of a governmental, professional or regulatory body. The framework, and most or all of the "core principles" contained in the standards should, however, be applicable in most environments and, if modified to meet local needs and circumstances, the ACPE standards may be able to serve as a basis for the development of country-specific standards .

Accreditation Statistics

106 Colleges and Schools with accreditation status

- 90 Colleges and Schools with full accreditation
- 10 Colleges and Schools with Candidate status
- 6 Colleges and Schools with Precandidate status

414 Continuing Education Providers with Accreditation Status

39 Continuing Education Providers who also offer Certificate Programs

1 Continuing Education Providers have inactive status