ACP is excited to introduce an evolved Continuing Competence Program (CCP) for pharmacy technicians, which can now be accessed in Academy through myACP (by clicking “CCP”).
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 pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. 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 pharmacy technicians to focus on the activities that are important to their practices.
The 2025-26 CCP cycle (formerly continuing education or “CE” cycle) is underway for pharmacy technicians. As with previous cycles, pharmacy technicians 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. Pharmacy technicians also still need to document their learning activities as continuing education units (CEUs), each equivalent to one hour of learning. Just like before, pharmacy technicians need to complete and document at least 15 CEUs each CCP cycle.
One of the big changes with the evolved CCP is the way pharmacy technicians document their learning. They are no longer required to complete and submit learning and implementation records in a professional portfolio. Rather, they input their learning activities in a simplified fashion using the process outlined in Academy.
Another change in the evolved CCP is reflecting on the activities completed throughout the cycle through the lens of the professionalism framework, using two tenets of professionalism, “active learner” and any one of the other five tenets. As each tenet consists of a series of descriptors, pharmacy technicians select one descriptor in each of the two tenets and complete the questions.
What do pharmacy technicians need to do?
First, we encourage pharmacy technicians to log in to myACP, click on “CCP,” and take a look. Academy has replaced the CCP portal, and the way 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 a self-paced online learning experience. Pharmacy technicians need to read the material provided on the pages, as this is where to find the instructions on what to do. There are also resource materials provided to help you meet your CCP requirements in Academy.
More details about the annual requirements of the evolved CCP, as well as an updated CCP manual, are available on the CCP requirements webpage.
