ACP is excited to introduce an evolved Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for pharmacists, which can now be accessed in Academy through myACP.
ACP has updated the CCP based on an evaluation of the program, which included analysis of survey data that had been collected annually from regulated members and a series of focus groups that included pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This feedback and ACP’s review informed the revisions to the program. These changes mean the program is more user friendly, shifts the focus from learning and implementing to a more holistic appreciation of professional development for a pharmacy professional, and better recognizes the differences between the pharmacy professions. The CCP empowers pharmacists to focus on the learning activities that are important to their practices.
The 2025-26 CCP cycle (formerly continuing education or CE cycle) is now underway for pharmacists. As with previous cycles, pharmacists will complete and document self-directed learning activities and prescribed learning activities directed by the Competence Committee within each annual CCP cycle and submit these activities to ACP. Pharmacists also still need to document their learning activities as continuing education units (CEUs), each equivalent to one hour of learning. Just like before, pharmacists will need to complete and document at least 15 CEUs each CCP cycle.
One of the big changes with the evolved CCP is the way pharmacists will document their learning. They will no longer be required to complete and submit learning and implementation records in a professional portfolio. Rather, they will input their learning activities in a condensed fashion using the process outlined in Academy. As well, they will be asked to reflect on the activities they completed throughout the cycle through the lens of the Professionalism Framework, using two tenets of professionalism (including “active learner”).
What do pharmacists need to do?
First, we encourage pharmacists to log in to myACP, click on “Academy,” and take a look. Academy has replaced the CCP portal, and the way the information is displayed is different than before. Academy presents the CCP in courses, so each requirement has been broken out into its own course. This is similar to an asynchronous online learning experience. Pharmacists need to read the material provided on the pages, as this is where to find the instructions on what to do. There will also be resource materials provided to support the experience in Academy.
Keep your eyes on upcoming issues of The Link for more information about the CCP, including what’s new and what pharmacists will need to complete as part of the 2025-26 CCP cycle.
Until then, there are more details about the requirements of the evolved CCP, as well as an updated CCP manual, available on the CCP requirements webpage.
