CCP components

The Standards of Practice for Continuing Competence establish ACP’s Continuing Competence Program (CCP). There are three components of the CCP: professional development and Learning, competence assessment, and the Practice Improvement Program (PIP). The Competence Committee determines the activities that regulated members are required to complete in the CCP, particularly in relation to prescribed learning activities, competence assessments, and PIP. The committee consists of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who use their diverse professional experiences and expertise to fulfill their legislative responsibilities, advising the competence director in matters of development, implementation, and maintenance of the CCP.

Professional development and learning

In the professional development and learning component, regulated members complete learning activities to ensure ongoing learning and development each CCP cycle. Collectively, these activities are known as the Annual Requirements. These required activities are described further on the CCP annual requirements page and in the CCP Manual for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians (CCP Manual).

Competence assessment

The competence assessment component of the CCP includes peer assessment and feedback. At times, the competence committee may require some regulated members to participate in a competence assessment. There are different types of assessments, including patient case reviews, practice reviews, practice visits, and portfolio assessments (such as the application for the additional prescribing authorization). A key element of these assessments is the feedback provided from one peer to another. The feedback is meant to support pharmacy professionals in further developing their critical thinking skills, gaining new perspectives, taking ownership of their learning or performance, and consistently meeting the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. The competence assessments are collectively known as Peer Assessment and Feedback. Refer to the competence assessment section of the CCP Manual for further information.

Practice Improvement Program (PIP)

The Practice Improvement Program provides individualized support to some regulated members. This program promotes reflection on practice and provides various supports and strategies to help a regulated member improve practice, including one-on-one instruction and peer coaching. While participating in the program, regulated members will work with the ACP competence staff and the Competence Committee to develop and carry out a plan to improve areas of their practice. The committee will assign learning activities and competence assessments to help the regulated member learn and improve their practice. For more information on PIP, refer to the CCP Manual.

For any other information about ACP’s Continuing Competence Program, please see the CCP Manual.