Contraceptive Education and Certification for the California Pharmacist

Heads up! This course may be archived and/or unavailable.

Note: The curriculum is state-based, and pharmacists should complete Comprehensive Contraceptive Education and Certification for the state in which they practice. In addition to California, this online training program is also available for pharmacists practicing in Washington, Oregon and Colorado. 

Women in the United States have had access to highly effective hormonal contraception in the form of an oral pill for decades. However, they have always needed to see their doctor or women’s health provider in order to get a prescription for it, causing what many believe to be an unnecessary hurdle. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have issued a formal statement that self-administered hormonal contraception should be made more accessible by removing this barrier. This is because the benefit of preventing unintended pregnancies by improving access to hormonal contraception outweighs the small risks associated with serious adverse events. Allowing pharmacists to provide hormonal contraception directly to women is one way to increase access now.

This is an exciting time for the profession of pharmacy because of the position and accessibility that many pharmacists can provide towards helping to improve access to hormonal contraception. Some states have now passed laws that allow women to obtain self-administered hormonal contraception directly from their pharmacist, and it’s possible that more states will follow.

While pharmacists are knowledgeable in being able to counsel women on the side effects and what to expect, before now they have never been in the role of starting or continuing a woman on any form of hormonal contraception.  It is good to have a foundational knowledge on hormonal contraception, but prescribing it requires a deeper understanding of how to practice seeing patients and in making clinical decisions.

This training program has received significant support and guidance from several OBGYN members of ACOG, and is specifically designed to give pharmacists the tools needed to be confident and successful in prescribing and monitoring self-administered hormonal contraception.

Registration will require your NABP e-Profile ID number and your NPI number.

Your NABP number must be provided to complete the certification process, if you need help with obtaining your NABP number please contact Tabetha Gould.

Your NPI number, for State of California billing processes, will be provided to payers upon completion of this program.