Pharmacists · Massachusetts · Continuing education
Massachusetts Pharmacist CE Requirements (2026)
01 In short
- Registered Pharmacist: 40 contact hours every 2 years, including 4 h state laws & rules (jurisprudence), 1 h immunization & vaccine administration; renewal by December 31 in even-numbered years.
Official source: the state licensing board · checked Oct 28, 2026
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03 Requirements
Massachusetts Registered Pharmacist CE requirements at a glance
- CE required
- 40contact hours
- Renewal cycle
- 2 years
- Deadline
- Dec 31, even yrs
- Reporting
- Attestation
- Renewal deadline
- By December 31 in even-numbered years
- Accepted credit
- Board-authorized providers; providers with current ACPE or AMA CME Category 1 approval count as authorized providers; postgraduate pharmacy curricula from Board-authorized or ACPE providers
- Online limit
- 75% of hours
- Carryover
- Not allowed; hours cannot be carried from one calendar year to another.
- New licensees
- No CE required in the calendar year of graduation from an approved school of pharmacy.
- Audits & records
- Signed statement under penalties of perjury with the renewal; keep statements of credit at least two years and provide them on request or random audit.
| Topic | Hours | How often |
|---|---|---|
| State laws & rules (jurisprudence)All pharmacists: at least 2 contact hours of pharmacy law each calendar year | 4 | every renewal |
| Immunization & vaccine administrationPharmacists who oversee or administer vaccines | 1 | every renewal |
Alternatives & exemptions. Extenuating circumstances: detailed statement under penalties of perjury; the Board decides on renewal.
Good to know. Registrations expire Dec 31 of even years. Minimum 20 contact hours each calendar year; max 15 h/year by home study or other mediated instruction; max 8 h per day. Sterile compounding: 5 h/year; complex non-sterile compounding: 3 h/year (no topic code).
Source: www.mass.gov · 247 CMR 4.00; M.G.L. c. 112, s. 24A · checked Oct 28, 2026
04 Questions
How many CE hours do pharmacists need in Massachusetts?
40 contact hours every 2 years.
How do pharmacists report CE in Massachusetts?
By attesting on the renewal application; keep certificates in case of an audit.
Which CE courses count for pharmacists in Massachusetts?
Board-authorized providers; providers with current ACPE or AMA CME Category 1 approval count as authorized providers; postgraduate pharmacy curricula from Board-authorized or ACPE providers.
How do I verify a pharmacist license in Massachusetts?
Use the license lookup of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy (mass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-pharmacy); 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 Massachusetts?
State laws & rules (jurisprudence) — 4 h (every renewal); Immunization & vaccine administration — 1 h (every renewal).
When is the renewal deadline for pharmacists in Massachusetts?
Licenses renew by December 31 in even-numbered years (2 years cycle).