Pharmacists · California · Continuing education
California Pharmacist CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- RPH30 hours every 2 years, including 2 h medical ethics, professionalism & law, 1 h controlled substances prescribing (every 4 years), 1 h cultural competency; renewal on the date shown on your license.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
02 Calculator
How many hours do I still need?
Find conferences in California →
Calculated in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
03 Requirements
California RPH CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 30hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- On license
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- On the date shown on your license
- Accepted credit
- Providers recognized by ACPE or the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA); pharmacy-relevant courses approved by the Medical Board, Board of Podiatric Medicine, Dental Board or Board of Registered Nursing of California; Board-provided courses; individual petitions
- Carryover
- Not allowed; CE must be completed during the two years preceding the renewal application.
- New licensees
- No CE required for the first renewal of a pharmacist license.
- Audits & records
- Random Board audits; keep certificates 4 years. The Board has no access to NABP CPE Monitor, and Board-provided webinars do not appear there.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Medical ethics, professionalism & lawBoard-provided law webinar (1 h) and ethics webinar (1 h) | 2 | every renewal |
| Controlled substances prescribingPharmacists who prescribe Schedule II drugs: Board-approved course on addiction risks | 1 | every 4 years |
| Cultural competencyCourse on LGBTQ patients, BIPOC health disparities and intersectionality (B&P §4231(a)) | 1 | every renewal |
Good to know. Renewing pharmacists enter the number of CE hours on the renewal form. Advanced Pharmacist Practitioners need 10 more hours (40 total). Since Jan 1, 2026 (AB 1503) furnishing/vaccination functions no longer need specialized CE.
Source: pharmacy.ca.gov · Business and Professions Code sections 4231 through 4234; California Code of Regulations sections 1732 through 1732.7 · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Conferences in California
05 Questions
How many CE hours do pharmacists need in California?
30 hours every 2 years.
How do pharmacists report CE in California?
By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
Which CE courses count for pharmacists in California?
Providers recognized by ACPE or the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA); pharmacy-relevant courses approved by the Medical Board, Board of Podiatric Medicine, Dental Board or Board of Registered Nursing of California; Board-provided courses; individual petitions.
How do I verify a pharmacist license in California?
Use the license lookup of the California State Board of Pharmacy (pharmacy.ca.gov); the board's own record is the primary source. CE status itself is checked by the board at renewal.
Which CE topics are mandatory for pharmacists in California?
Medical ethics, professionalism & law — 2 h (every renewal); Controlled substances prescribing — 1 h (every 4 years); Cultural competency — 1 h (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for pharmacists in California?
Licenses renew on the date shown on your license (2 years cycle).