FAQs

Pharmacists may provide MTM services either alone as an independent practitioner or frequently as a multi-disciplinary team under a Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) to assist the patient. Currently, the NBMTM certifies proficiency for Pharmacists.

Board certification is an important initial step in professional development.

As pharmacists’ practices change over time, anticipating future workforce needs requires an understanding of practice change and overlapping scope of practice among different specialties.

The NBMTM Program for MOC plays a vital role in making sure pharmacists critically evaluate their practices, acquire new skills, and adapt their practices to changing patient health needs.

Importance to Patients

Patients benefit from a pharmacist’s board certification by,

• Assurance that the pharmacist demonstrates adequate practical knowledge in pharmacological therapy
• Better communicative relationships build on listening and sharing which is emphasized in NBMTM’s focus on Motivational Interviewing®
• More Accessibility due to the efficiency of board certified MTM specialists (BCMTMS™) who possess superior knowledge of MTM administration and billing.

Being a Board-Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist can greatly broaden your opportunities to serve patients. As dispensing is increasingly automated and as traditional pharmacists job duties such as drug utilization reviews, third party billing, and order entry reviews are becoming more efficient through technology, pharmacists have much more time for patient counseling and patient care. Employers have recognized this trend and are now factoring medication therapy management skills into their hiring requirements. According to the results of a survey given to top employers by NBMTM, most employers prefer new graduates over existing pharmacists because of the emphasize of MTM in the current curriculum of pharmacy schools. However, employers have mentioned in the survey that they would much rather have an experienced pharmacist who possesses skills in MTM. Obtaining a board certification in MTM can demonstrate that you do indeed have the knowledge and skills that can serve not only patients but employers as well.

No, but it is generally recommended to report all your specialty board certifications during your provider credentialing process. Pharmacists who wish to bill an insurance company and receive reimbursement for MTM services as an in-network provider must undergo a process of credentialing in which the insurance company verifies the provider’s education, training, experience, and competency.

How MTM pharmacists are credentialed is dependent upon how they are contracted. If they are practicing as an independent practitioner —  meaning they are able to deliver MTM services to patients without Collaborative Practice Agreements (CPA) — health plans will need to verify their credentials. This means checking education and training, which includes board certifications.  However, if MTM pharmacists are not working independently, from both a payor and facility perspective they do not need to be credentialed, and therefore board certification does not need to be verified. However, this may still depend on the policy and procedures of the health plan and local healthcare facility.

Being an MTM pharmacist requires more than assessing medications for indication, effectiveness, safety, and adherence issues. It also requires patient counseling that factors in patient’s emotional state, patient’s financial state, and patient’s cultural state. Pharmacists with the designated title BCMTMS™ demonstrate skills in handling complex patient care scenarios that can only be learned through experience and advanced training.
A BCMTMS™ demonstrates to patients and prospective patients that the service they can expect to receive will be provided by a board certified pharmacist who has proven a mastering of the core competencies required to provide the best care possible.

No, you are not “MTM Certified” by completing training modules provided by MTM platforms such as Mirixa or OutcomesMTM. The only recognized MTM Certification is offered by the National Board of Medication Therapy Management.

No, the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) is one of the many pharmacy boards administrating Board Certifications Examinations such as the Certified Specialty Pharmacy by the Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board or Board Certified-Advanced Diabetes Management by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.

No. You would not be considered nationally certified as MTM certificate training programs only indicates attendance or completion of a course or series of courses with a specific focus. They are open to newcomers and experienced professionals alike. While either option can benefit your career, board certification is by far the more valuable and recognized achievement. It allows a practitioner to put letters after his or her name (BCMTMS™ for Board Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist). In addition, certification requires recertification, which ensures that practitioners stay current in their field through continuing education.

Most certificate programs are designed to bring pharmacists “up to speed” on a specific skill or therapeutic area. Examples include diabetes management, asthma management, drug interaction detection, pharmacoeconomic and outcomes assessment, and management of disorders in lipid metabolism. A certificate is generally provided at the completion of the program.

Board certification is not linked to completion of a specific educational program, is generally broader in scope than material covered in a certificate program, and implies a specified level of education, practice experience, knowledge, and skills. Board certification exams are psychometrically sound and validated using the expertise of outside testing consultants.

A pharmacist license is generally a requirement to practice pharmacy in the US. A Board certification is not required to practice pharmacy. Pharmacists generally obtain certification by choice, or if required to by insurance or employer.

If you pass the BCMTMS™ Exam, you become board certified in medication therapy management and you can use the initials “BCMTMS” after your name on documents, websites, signatures, etc.

The National Board of Medication Therapy Management (NBMTM) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that was founded to protect the public by assessing and certifying pharmacists who meet specific educational, training, professional requirements, and demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skill, and understanding of medication therapy management (MTM) to the benefit of patients.

The NBMTM has established a thorough evaluation process and implemented new initiatives that continually improve the standards of its certification.

Your board certification in Medication Therapy Management must be renewed every 5 years from the date in which the NBMTM certification was granted. Within those three years, you must complete 50 hours of Continuing Education that are NBMTM approved. Please see the list of NBMTM approved Continuing Education courses. No more than 15 hours may be earned prior to the end of the 1st year of the 5-year recertification cycle.

After completing the required hours of CEs, members must complete a recertification application at nbmtm.org. Members must submit their updated licensure standing and employment status. The recertification application must not be submitted earlier than 6 months prior to the date of renewal.

Anyone can find out whether their provider is NBMTM certified and participating in activities to maintain their certification by using the verify certification feature online.

Board certified practitioners participate in a rigorous and continuous process to maintain their certification. Concerned for the well-being of their patients, NBMTM certified practitioners are dedicated to self-improvement and continuous learning.

A Board Certified Ambulatory care pharmacist demonstrates knowledge in Ambulatory care pharmacy, which involves medication management in a primary care institution. Ambulatory care pharmacists work along with other healthcare providers and provide pharmaceutical care which may or may not include MTM. Ambulatory care pharmacist positions are found in universities and large healthcare institution and are quite rare. There are currently 3,250 Board Certified Ambulatory care pharmacists (BCACP), however, only a handful of those are employed as ambulatory care pharmacists.

A Board-Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist demonstrates superior knowledge in Medication Therapy Management and knowledge of handling complex patient care scenarios with practical and billable solutions. A Board Certified Medication Therapy Management Specialist (BCMTMS™) demonstrates extensive knowledge of pharmacological therapies associated mainly with chronic diseases seen in outpatient settings as well as certain unique skills such as medical billing codes (ICD9, ICD10, and CPT) and URAC accreditation standards. These skills are actively sought out by MTM programs, community pharmacies, pharmacy benefit management companies, patient benefit management companies, hospitals, and insurers. As new Medicare mandates are increasingly requiring more MTM reviews, the field of medication therapy management is growing exponentially. There are approximately 150,000 pharmacists who conduct comprehensive medication reviews periodically.

NBMTM displays certification information to provide patients and employers with transparent certification information. We receive this information from public records of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and NBMTM records. Our mission is to empower patients with information and tools to make wise decisions about their health care. For this reason, we do not remove provider pages from NBMTM.

If your page displays erroneous certification information or public record data, please contact us here.

View the eligibility requirements. If after reading through our eligibility section you have further questions, please contact us. A detailed description may be requested in order for us to determine your eligibility.

Yes. Foreign Graduate Pharmacists (FGP) must hold an equivalent degree to the requirements of a U.S. pharmacy degree.

Experience can be waived if the applicant successfully completes an NBMTM-approved training program in medication therapy management. Approved training programs are:

1. APhA’s Delivering Medication Therapy Management Services Certificate Training Program.
2. Power-Pak C.E.® Certificate Program in Medication Therapy Management.
3. University of Florida’s graduate certificate in Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM).
4. University of Southern California’s Advanced Practice Pharmacist Certificate in Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM).
5. University of Florida’s Master’s degree in Medication Therapy Management.
6. Residency in medication therapy management or ambulatory care pharmacy (PGY-1 or PGY-2).

Although MTM training courses may help you prepare for the examination, you are not required to complete any courses if you meet the 2-year experience in MTM. See more details about eligibility.

To apply online:

Go to www.nbmtm.org and select the “APPLY NOW” link under the Get Board Certified box, or click here.

You must include ALL of the following with your completed application form:

1. Copy or online printout of your professional license(s)
2. A copy of your current résumé indicating the required two years of experience in medication therapy management and direct patient care.
3. Provide supporting documents required during the online application.
4. If you have a foreign pharmacy degree, provide a copy of your transcripts and your degree.
5. Payment of the application fees. Payment in U.S. dollars must be made by debit or credit card.

Certification exams are administered and proctored by Meazure Learning. NBMTM has contracted with Meazure Learning, a secure proctoring service, to protect the integrity of certification exams. Meazure Learning is engaged in educational and occupational measurement and provides examination administration to a variety of client organizations. The examination is administered by appointment only. Available dates will be indicated when scheduling your examination with Meazure Learning.

Once your application is complete, you will receive an Notice To Schedule (NTS) email notification from Meazure Learning.

Candidates for the BCMTMS exam will have 4 hours to answer a total of 200 questions.

Breakdown of Testing-Time:

Complete Examination: 4 hours testing period

Examination Part one (100 questions): 2 hour testing period
Optional break: up to 15 minutes
Examination Part two (100 questions): 2 hour testing period

Survey: 5 minutes

In order to receive the notification, the following must be complete:

• Complete an exam application
• Pay all exam fees
• If you answered yes to needing special testing accommodations, you must have submitted the Testing and Certification Accommodations Request Form and it must be reviewed and approved by the NBMTM.

Please check your Portal under “Certification Application Status” section. If you do not see your letter there, please contact us.

If you require testing accommodations, complete and submit the Testing and Certification Accommodations Request Form. Upon approval, NBMTM will provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations related to the testing process.

If you are unable to have your employment verification form certified by your past or current employer, or the company you worked for no longer exists, you may self-certify the form. Complete and upload your Employment Verification Form.

The BCMTMS examination is split into two parts with 100 questions each. You have up to two hours to complete each part. If you wish to finish each part before 2 hours, you will be allowed to do so. Please note that after submitting part one of the exam for completion, you will not be able to return to part one of the examination. After completing part one of the examination, you will have the option of taking a 15-minute break or move on to part 2.

Complete Examination: 4 hours testing period

Examination Part one (100 questions): 2 hour testing period
Optional break: up to 15 minutes
Examination Part two (100 questions): 2 hour testing period

The BCMTMS examination is updated twice a year to accommodate new guidelines (August 1st and February 1st).

Yes, you will need to contact us at contact@nbmtm.org. There is a $25 fee for score verification, which will be collected directly by NBMTM.

In compliance with national accreditation standards, the NBMTM does not promote or endorse any particular review materials or courses for the BCMTMS™ examination. However, we do offer exam Content Outline for the BCMTMS™ exam. We also offer Practice Exams for the BCMTMS™ compiled from past examination questions. There are many review materials, courses, and seminars that have been independently developed, which could serve as supplementary preparation for our examination.

You may schedule your exam as soon as your application has been submitted and verified. Once the board accepts your application, you will receive an email with instructions on scheduling your exam. Our exams are administered through our proctoring vendor, Meazure Learning.

The examination is based on a job analysis study that is conducted periodically to determine the job content elements that are related to effective job performance. The survey tool used in the job analysis study is developed by a panel of subject matter experts. The survey is distributed to a large number of professionals to gather data representative of the field of practice. The results of the job analysis study are used to develop the content outline for each examination. The examination corresponds to the requirements of the content outline.

An interdisciplinary team constructs the items included in the examination. The Examination Committee meets two to three times a year to review the items and the examination itself for validation. All examination materials are under the control of the NBMTM and Examination Committee members do not have copies or notes from these committee meetings. The NBMTM also runs statistical analysis on each examination and examination items to validate their effectiveness as examination questions.

The NBMTM oversees a continual process of job analysis studies, content outline development, question writing and review, and analysis and evaluation of the exam to ensure that the content of each exam remains up-to-date and accurate.

The BCMTMS examination will test your knowledge and experience with medication therapy management. The exam will consist of MTM implementation, pharmacology, patient care advocacy, and MTM documentation/billing. It is strongly recommended to review the BCMTMS exam content outline.
There is not a “one-size fits all” preparation strategy for the BCMTMS exam. The time spent for preparation may take from 2 to 6 months, depending on your experience as an MTM pharmacist. It is also strongly recommended to take the BCMTMS practice assessment. The practice assessment will be the best predictor for success and will give an estimation on how much studying is needed.
The National Board of Medication Therapy Management has several recommended publications that would help in examination preparation.

Click here for information on study resources.

The passing point for the examination is established using a criterion-referenced technique (Angoff Method). Qualified and trained Subject Matter Experts on the Cut Score Committee will participate in recommending the passing point under the guidance of a qualified psychometrician. The passing point recommendation will be considered by the Board. The Board is responsible for final approval of the passing point for each examination.

The process used to determine the passing point will be documented as part of a qualified psychometrician’s technical report. Any dialogue with regard to the recommended passing point from the Board must be consistent with generally accepted psychometric principles and will be documented in the technical report along with the rationale for any adjustments to the recommended passing point.

Specific methodologies for establishing the passing score for exams, and ensuring test forms are equivalent, will be selected by a qualified psychometrician based on compliance with national accreditation standards.

The BCMTMS examination is administered by our testing partner, Meazure Learning. Meazure Learning provides proctoring throughout the world for your convenience.
You will receive instruction on scheduling your examination once you receive your Notification To Test.

The BCMTMS examination is split into twoparts with 100 questions each. You have up to two hours to complete each part. If you wish to finish each part before2 hours, you will be allowed to do so. Please note that after submitting part one of the exam for completion, you will not be able to return to part one of the examination. After completing part one of the examination, you will have the option of taking a 15-minute break or move on to part 2.

After you have finished the exam and completed the evaluation of your testing experience, you will receive your score report notification by email 4 to 6 weeks after the close of the testing window. Final scoring audits will be conducted, the passing score will be set, and the score reports will be posted to your myNBMTM account.

Your score results will be released 4 to 6 weeks after the close of the testing window. There are periods of the year with a high concentration of exam sittings, and the waiting period may increase.

Candidates who do not pass the initial certification examination must submit a retake fee. Retake candidates have the remaining eligible testing windows to take the examination. If there is no remaining eligible window left, then the candidate has to reapply.

We cannot release the exam or any portion of it under any circumstances. To do so would be a violation of our security procedures. Access to the examination is carefully controlled and limited to only those individuals who must have access for the purpose of examination development and quality control.

No. NBMTM does not accept payments by check, ACH, or wire transfer at this time. We only accept payments by credit card or debit card (VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover).

You will receive an invoice by e-mail upon registration. If you haven’t received any e-mail, please contact us so we may resend you a copy.

You must withdraw your application in your myNBMTM Portal. NBMTM will not accept withdrawal requests by email or phone.

Once your withdrawal is confirmed, you are no longer eligible for admission to the board exam.

Refunds will be determined by the following:

• Administrative fees ($100) are non-refundable.
• Practice exams are non-refundable.
• There are no “extenuating circumstances” that will result in an exception to these policies.
• Refunds take 5-10 days to appear on your statement.
  NBMTM’s complete withdrawal and refund policy can be found on the NBMTM’s website.