DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS  
DIRECTOR'S OFFICE  
PHARMACY – PHARMACIST CONTINUING EDUCATION  
(By authority conferred on the director of the department of licensing and regulatory  
affairs by sections 16145, 16148, 16184, 16201, 16204, 16205, 17731, and 17767 of the  
public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16145, 333.16148, 333.16184, 333.16201,  
333.16204, 333.16205, 333.17731, and 333.17767, and Executive Reorganization Order  
Nos.1991-9, 1996-2, 2003-1, and 2011-4, MCL 338.3501, 445.2001, 445.2011, and  
445.2030)  
R 338.3041 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) “Board” means the Michigan board of pharmacy, created in section 17721 of the  
code, MCL 333.17721.  
(b) “Code” means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211.  
(c) “Department” means the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.  
(2) Unless otherwise defined in these rules, the terms defined in the code have the same  
meaning when used in these rules.  
History: 1979 AC; 2007 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2023 MR 12, Eff. June 26, 2023.  
R 338.3042 License renewals; continuing education requirements; applicability.  
Rule 2. (1) These rules apply to applications for renewal of a pharmacist's license and a  
special retired volunteer pharmacist’s license under sections 16201 and 16184 of the  
code, MCL 333.16201 and 333.16184. A licensee seeking renewal shall comply with all  
of the following:  
(a) Submit a completed application on a form provided by the department, together  
with the requisite fee.  
(b) Beginning with renewals on January 1, 2020, an applicant for license renewal shall  
have completed a 1-time training identifying victims of human trafficking as required in  
R 338.511 and section 16148 of the code, MCL 333.16148.  
(c) An applicant for license renewal, who also applies for a controlled substance  
license, shall have completed a 1-time training in opioids and other controlled substances  
awareness as required in R 338.3135.  
(d) The continuing education requirements apply to an applicant for license renewal,  
who has been licensed for the 2-year period immediately preceding the end of the license  
cycle.  
(e) An applicant for license renewal shall furnish the board with satisfactory evidence  
that the applicant completed not less than 30 hours of continuing education approved by  
the board, under R 338.3043 and R 338.3044, during the license cycle before the  
application for renewal. Continuing education that is earned during the 60-day grace  
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period may be included up to the date the application for renewal is filed. An applicant  
for license renewal shall complete all of the following continuing education  
requirements:  
(i) At least 1 hour of the 30 required hours of continuing education in pharmacy ethics  
and pharmacy law, which may be completed in 1 or more courses.  
(ii) At least 10 hours of the 30 required hours of continuing education must be live,  
synchronous, courses or programs, in-person or virtual, that provide for the opportunity  
of direct interaction between faculty and participants, including but not limited to,  
lectures, symposia, live teleconferences, and workshops. Accreditation Council for  
Pharmacy Education (ACPE) courses designated as live meet this requirement.  
(iii) At least 1 hour of the 30 required hours of continuing education in pain and  
symptom management, as required under section 16204(2) of the code, MCL 333.16204.  
Continuing education in pain and symptom management includes, but is not limited to,  
courses in behavior management, psychology of pain, pharmacology, behavior  
modification, stress management, clinical applications, and drug interventions as they  
relate to professional practice.  
(iv) Not more than 12 hours of continuing education during a 24-hour period.  
(2) Except for the 1-time training in human trafficking, the 1-time training in opioid and  
controlled substances awareness, and the implicit bias training, which may be used to  
comply with both the training requirement and the continuing education requirement in  
the same renewal period, an applicant for license renewal may not earn continuing  
education credit for a program or activity that is identical to a program or activity an  
applicant has already earned credit for during that renewal period.  
(3) Submission of an application for renewal constitutes the applicant’s certification of  
compliance with the requirements of this rule. An applicant shall retain documentation of  
meeting the requirements of this rule for a period of 4 years from the date of applying for  
license renewal. The board may require an applicant to submit evidence to demonstrate  
compliance with this rule. Failure to comply with this rule is a violation of section  
16221(h) of the code, MCL 333.16221.  
(4) A request for a waiver under section 16205 of the code, MCL 333.16205, must be  
received by the department before the expiration date of the license.  
(5) Except as otherwise stated, this rule takes effect upon promulgation of the rules.  
History: 1979 AC; 1997 AACS; 2023 MR 12, Eff. June 26, 2023.  
R 338.3043 Continuing education courses and programs; standards for approval.  
Rule 3. The board shall approve continuing education courses or programs pursuant to  
the following standards in this rule:  
(a) A continuing education course or program sponsor shall submit a completed  
application on forms provided by the department and provide a “Patient Protection” form  
for any course or program that involves treatment of live patients.  
(b) A completed application form shall be submitted to the department at least 70 days  
before the date the continuing education course or program is conducted for the proposed  
continuing education to be considered for approval by the board.  
(c) A continuing education course or program must meet the standards and criteria for  
an acceptable category of continuing education under this rule and R 338.3044 and must  
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be relevant to health care services, pharmacy operations, or advancement of the licensee’s  
pharmacy education.  
(d) A continuing education course or program shall be developed and presented by a  
sponsor and must provide all of the following:  
(i) Availability of adequate records of participation.  
(ii) Qualified teaching staff.  
(iii) A statement of educational objectives.  
(e) Board approval is valid for 3 years from the date of approval.  
(f) Except as provided in subdivision (g) of this subrule, any subsequent dates that the  
course or program will be offered do not require further board approval and may be  
changed without review by the board if the presentation dates are within the board’s  
original 3-year term of approval.  
(g) The board shall reevaluate an approved continuing education course or program  
before any changes during the approval term to the title, number of continuing education  
hours to be awarded to participants, or learning objectives.  
(h) A sponsor conducting the course or program shall record all of the following on a  
continuing education certificate or other proof prepared by that sponsor:  
(i) The name of the sponsor.  
(ii) Continuing education approval number assigned by the department.  
(iii) Course title or name of the program.  
(iv) Name of the speaker or instructor.  
(v) Date the approved course or program was conducted.  
(vi) Number and type of continuing education hours awarded.  
(vii) Approved sponsor’s signature.  
(viii) Dates of the current approval term.  
(ix) Name of participant.  
(i) The board may revoke the approval status of any approved course or program at any  
time if the course or program fails to comply with these rules.  
History: 1979 AC; 2007 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2023 MR 12, Eff. June 26, 2023.  
R 338.3044 Acceptable continuing education for licensees.  
Rule 4. The board shall consider all of the following as acceptable continuing education:  
ACCEPTABLE CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITIES  
Type of Activity  
Number of Hours  
Earned/Maximum Hours  
(a) Completion of an approved continuing The number of hours earned will  
education course or program related to the be the number of hours approved  
practice of pharmacy. A continuing education by the sponsor or the approving  
course or program is approved, regardless of organization.  
the format in which it is offered, if it is  
approved or offered for continuing education If the activity was not approved  
credit by any of the following:  
for a set number of hours, then 1  
A pharmacy program accredited by the ACPE credit hour for every 50 minutes of  
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or the Canadian Council for Accreditation of participation may be earned.  
Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP).  
A
continuing  
education  
sponsoring No limitation on the number of  
organization, institution, or individual hours earned.  
approved by the ACPE.  
Another state board of pharmacy.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of a  
letter or certificate of completion showing the  
licensee’s name, number of hours earned,  
sponsor name or the name of the organization  
that approved the program or activity for  
continuing education credit, and the date on  
which the program was held, or activity  
completed.  
(b) Completion of postgraduate pharmacy Twelve hours of continuing  
practice or administration courses offered for education will be earned for each  
credit in a pharmacy school accredited by the academic quarter credit earned and  
ACPE or the CCAPP.  
18 hours will be earned for each  
academic semester credit earned.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit an official  
transcript that reflects completion of the No limitation on the number of  
postgraduate pharmacy practice or hours earned.  
administration course and number of semester  
or quarter credit hours earned.  
(c) Participation in a home study program offered One hour will be earned for each  
through an ACPE-approved provider or other hour devoted to a home study  
instructional approaches that include an program.  
evaluation component including, but not  
limited to, on-line continuing education  
programs and journal articles.  
A maximum of 20 hours may be  
earned per renewal period.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit an affidavit  
attesting to the number of hours the licensee  
spent participating in the home study program  
that includes a description of the activity.  
(d) Participation as a preceptor for at least 1 Five hours of continuing education  
pharmacy intern. may be earned for a minimum of  
120 hours in person of  
A preceptorship shall be for a minimum of preceptorship in each renewal  
120 hours in person and have a 1 intern - to - period.  
1 preceptor ratio. This may involve multiple  
preceptor relationships at different times.  
A maximum of 5 hours may be  
earned in each renewal period.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit written  
documentation  
from  
the  
educational  
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institution or preceptor’s supervisor verifying  
the dates and hours of the preceptorship.  
(e) Renewal of a pharmacy license held in Thirty hours will be earned.  
another state that requires continuing  
education for license renewal that is A maximum of 30 hours may be  
substantially equivalent in subject matter and earned in each renewal period.  
total amount of required hours to that  
required in these rules if the licensee resides  
and practices in another state.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit proof of  
current licensure in another state and a copy  
of a letter or certificate of completion  
showing all of the following:  
The licensee’s name.  
Number of hours earned.  
The sponsor’s name or the name of the  
organization that approved the program or  
activity for continuing education credit.  
The date on which the program was held, or  
the activity was completed.  
(f) Initial publication of an article or a chapter Ten hours will be earned per  
related to the practice of pharmacy in either publication.  
of the following:  
A pharmacy textbook.  
A peer reviewed journal.  
A maximum of 10 hours may be  
earned in each renewal period.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of  
the publication that identifies the licensee as  
the author or a publication acceptance letter.  
(g) Successful completion of a board certification Ten hours may be earned in the  
national pharmacy examination through year in which the licensee  
Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS).  
achieves a passing score.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit proof of a A maximum of 20 hours may be  
passing score on the examination.  
earned in each renewal period.  
Credit will not be given for  
repeating the same examination  
twice in a renewal period.  
(h) Presentation of a continuing education Two hours for every 50 minutes  
program approved by the board under R devoted to presenting the program.  
338.3043 or subdivision (a) of this rule that is  
not a part of the licensee’s regular job A maximum of 2 hours may be  
description.  
earned in each renewal period.  
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If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of  
the curriculum and a letter from the program  
sponsor verifying the length and date of the  
presentation.  
(i) Attendance at a pharmacy-related program The number of hours earned will  
that is approved by the board pursuant to R be the number of hours approved  
338.3043.  
by the sponsor or the approving  
organization.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of a  
letter or certificate of completion showing all If the activity was not approved  
of the following:  
Licensee’s name.  
Number of hours earned.  
Sponsor name or the name of the organization  
for a set number of hours, then 1  
credit hour for every 50 minutes of  
participation may be earned.  
that approved the program or course for No limitation on the number of  
continuing education credit.  
hours earned.  
The date on which the program was held, or  
the activity was completed.  
(j) Attendance at a full board of pharmacy One hour may be earned for  
meeting, disciplinary subcommittee meeting, attending a full meeting. This  
or rules committee work group meeting.  
category of continuing education  
qualifies as 1 hour in pharmacy  
law.  
A maximum of 5 hours may be  
earned in each renewal period.  
History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 2007 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2023 MR 12, Eff. June 26, 2023.  
R 338.3045 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 2020 AACS.  
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;