Between 2024 and 2025, the number of pharmacists seeking a specialty credential more than doubled, rising from 3,058 to 6,681.
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties announced Jan. 28 the pass rates for 14 pharmacy specialty certification exams. Of the 6,681 examinees, 3,648 — about 55% — passed their certification or recertification test in 2025.
The 14 certification exams listed below are offered throughout the year. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties recognizes 16 specialties in total.
Overall certification pass rates by specialty:
Ambulatory care — 56% (695 examinees)
Cardiology — 55% (170)
Critical care — 60% (550)
Emergency medicine — 54% (323)
Geriatric — 41% (165)
Infectious diseases — 66% (298)
Nuclear — 55% (11)
Nutrition support — 43% (83)
Oncology — 43% (671)
Pediatric — 54% (222)
Pharmacotherapy — 51% (2,308)
Psychiatric — 56% (189)
Sterile compounding — 66% (338)
Transplant — 49% (41)
First-time pass rates for certification:
Ambulatory care — 62% (542 examinees)
Cardiology — 64% (127)
Critical care — 64% (415)
Emergency medicine — 61% (198)
Geriatric — 44% (120)
Infectious diseases — 74% (240)
Nuclear — 63% (8)
Nutrition support — 42% (65)
Oncology — 48% (470)
Pediatric — 56% (160)
Pharmacotherapy — 56% (1,760)
Psychiatric — 57% (143)
Sterile compounding — 70% (276)
Transplant — 46% (28)
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