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) “ACPE” means the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.  
(b) “Board” means the Michigan board of pharmacy, created in section 17721 of the  
code, MCL 333.17721.  
(c) “CCAPP” means the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs.  
(d) “Code” means the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.1101 to 333.25211.  
(e) “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 AACS; 2026 MR 6, Eff. March 12, 2026.  
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) Complete 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) Complete a training in opioids and other controlled substances awareness as required  
in R 338.3135, if also applying for a controlled substance license.  
(d) The continuing education requirements apply to an applicant who has been licensed  
for the 2-year period immediately preceding the end of the license cycle.  
(e) Submit to the board 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 period may be included up to the date the application  
Page 1  
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. 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 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 for the board’s consideration not less than 30 days before the  
last regularly scheduled board meeting before the expiration date of the license. The public  
notice for the board meetings can be found at: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-  
list/bpl/health/hp-lic-health-prof/pharmacy.  
History: 1979 AC; 1997 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2026 MR 6, Eff. March 12, 2026.  
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.  
Page 2  
(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 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 AACS.  
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  
Number  
of  
Hours  
Type of Activity  
(a)  
Earned/Maximum Hours  
Completion of an approved continuing  
The number of hours earned is  
education course or program related to the the number of hours approved by  
practice of pharmacy. A continuing education the sponsor or the approving  
course or program is approved, regardless of organization.  
the format in which it is offered, if it is  
Page 3  
approved or offered for continuing education  
credit by any of the following:  
If the activity was not approved  
for a set number of hours, then 1  
A pharmacy program accredited by the credit hour for every 50 minutes of  
ACPE or the CCAPP.  
participation may be earned.  
A
continuing education sponsoring  
organization, institution, or individual  
There is no limitation on the  
approved by the ACPE, including non-ACPE number of hours earned, except  
accredited providers engaging in joint that a maximum of 5 hours may be  
providership with ACPE accredited providers. earned per renewal period for  
Another state board of pharmacy.  
activities offered by a continuing  
A
continuing education sponsoring education sponsoring organization,  
organization, institution, or individual institution, or individual approved  
approved by a non-pharmacy healthcare board by a non-pharmacy healthcare  
or accreditation entity.  
board or accreditation entity.  
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 is earned for each  
credit in a pharmacy school accredited by the academic quarter credit earned and  
ACPE or the CCAPP.  
18 hours is earned for each  
academic semester credit earned.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit an  
official transcript that reflects completion of  
There is no limitation on the  
the postgraduate pharmacy practice or number of hours earned.  
administration course and number of semester  
or quarter credit hours earned.  
(c)  
Participation in a home study program  
One hour is earned for each  
offered through an ACPE-approved provider hour devoted to a home study  
or other instructional approaches that include program.  
an 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.  
Page 4  
(d)  
Participation as a preceptor for at least 1  
pharmacy intern.  
Five hours of continuing  
education is 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 - 1 period.  
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  
institution or preceptor’s supervisor verifying  
the dates and hours of the preceptorship.  
Renewal of a pharmacy license held in  
another state that requires continuing  
education for license renewal that is  
(e)  
Thirty hours is earned.  
A maximum of 30 hours may  
substantially equivalent in subject matter and be 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 is earned per  
related to the practice of pharmacy in either of publication.  
the following:  
A pharmacy textbook.  
A maximum of 10 hours may  
A peer-reviewed journal.  
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 Ten hours is earned in the year  
certification national pharmacy examination in which the licensee achieves a  
through Board of Pharmacy Specialties.  
passing score.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit proof of  
a passing score on the examination.  
A maximum of 20 hours may  
be earned in each renewal period.  
Page 5  
Credit is not given for repeating the  
same examination twice in a  
renewal period.  
(h)  
Presentation of a continuing education  
Two hours is earned for every  
program approved by the board under R 50 minutes devoted to presenting  
338.3043 or subdivision (a) of this rule that is the program.  
not a part of the licensee’s regular job  
description.  
A maximum of 2 hours may be  
earned in each renewal period.  
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 is  
that is approved by the board pursuant to R the number of hours approved by  
338.3043.  
the sponsor or the approving  
organization.  
If audited, a licensee shall submit a copy of  
a letter or certificate of completion showing all  
of the following:  
If the activity was not approved  
for a set number of hours, then 1  
credit hour for every 50 minutes of  
participation is earned.  
Licensee’s name.  
Number of hours earned.  
Sponsor name or the name of the  
organization that approved the program or  
course for continuing education credit.  
The date on which the program was held,  
or the activity was completed.  
There is no limitation on the  
number of hours earned.  
(j)  
Attendance at a full board of pharmacy  
One hour is earned for  
meeting, disciplinary subcommittee meeting, attending a full meeting. This  
or rules committee work group meeting. To category of continuing education  
receive credit for attending a meeting in qualifies as 1 hour in pharmacy  
person, a licensee shall obtain a form provided law.  
by the department from a department  
employee present at the meeting and have the  
employee complete, sign, and date the form.  
To receive credit for attending a meeting  
virtually, a licensee shall submit an electronic  
form provided by the department.  
A maximum of 5 hours may be  
earned in each renewal period.  
If audited, a licensee shall provide a copy  
of the completed paper form or electronic  
confirmation.  
History: 1979 AC; 1982 AACS; 2007 AACS; 2020 AACS; 2023 AACS; 2026 MR 6, Eff. March 12, 2026.  
Page 6  
R 338.3045 Rescinded.  
History: 1979 AC; 2020 AACS.  
Page 7  
;