How are psychiatric pharmacists educated?
All psychiatric pharmacists complete pharmacy school and pass a national test to become licensed. Following licensure, the practitioner can complete a first year general residency and may choose to complete a second year of residency which focuses on psychiatric pharmacy alone. Or a pharmacist may choose to complete a fellowship. Psychiatry pharmacy fellowships are 2-year commitments and traditionally focus on research related to psychiatric agents. Once a pharmacist has met certain criteria, they may sit for a specific national exam that qualifies them to use the credentials of Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP). The benefit to the patient of their pharmacist having this certification is that the pharmacist must maintain expertise in this area.
