Board Certified Toxicology Pharmacy Specialist (BCTPS)

The Board Certified Toxicology Pharmacy Specialist (BCTPS) credential is awarded to pharmacists who demonstrate advanced competence in the identification, assessment, and management of toxic exposures and poison-related conditions. This certification reflects a pharmacist’s expertise in toxicological principles, mechanisms of toxicity, and clinical management of poisoned patients, as well as their ability to support medication safety, risk assessment, and prevention efforts. Board Certified Toxicology Pharmacy Specialists contribute to patient care, emergency response, and public health through evidence-based toxicology practice, interprofessional collaboration, and informed decision-making across clinical, environmental, and population health settings.

Exam Outline
Domain 1: Principles of Toxicology and Toxicokinetics (20%)

  • Fundamental concepts of toxicology and dose–response relationships

  • Mechanisms of toxic action at molecular and cellular levels

  • Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics

  • Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of toxicants

  • Biotransformation and metabolic activation or detoxification

  • Factors influencing susceptibility to toxicity

Domain 2: Mechanisms and Target Organ Toxicity (25%)

  • Non–organ-directed toxicity (e.g., oxidative stress, genotoxicity)

  • Target organ toxicity affecting major organ systems

  • Acute versus chronic toxic effects

  • Developmental and reproductive toxicity

  • Pathophysiology of toxic injury and recovery

Domain 3: Toxic Agents and Exposure Assessment (20%)

  • Classification of toxic agents and poisons

  • Pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse, and medication-related toxicities

  • Chemical, environmental, occupational, and biological toxicants

  • Routes and patterns of exposure

  • Exposure assessment and risk characterization

  • Population-level toxicology considerations

Domain 4: Clinical Toxicology and Toxicologic Emergencies (25%)

  • Initial assessment and stabilization of poisoned patients

  • History taking and toxidrome recognition

  • Diagnostic testing and laboratory interpretation

  • Decontamination strategies

  • Antidotes and targeted therapies

  • Enhanced elimination techniques

  • Management of acute toxicologic emergencies and special populations

Domain 5: Applied Toxicology, Prevention, and Public Health (10%)

  • Poison prevention and patient education

  • Toxicovigilance and surveillance activities

  • Environmental and public health toxicology

  • Disaster preparedness and mass exposure events

  • Regulatory, ethical, and professional considerations

  • Interprofessional collaboration in toxicology practice

Recommended Resources

The following resources are provided as examples of study materials that may support preparation for the Board Certified Toxicology Pharmacy Specialist (BCTPS) examination. This list is illustrative and not exhaustive. Candidates are encouraged to consult authoritative toxicology references, current clinical guidance, and evidence-based literature relevant to toxicology pharmacy practice.

Core References

  • Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 9th Edition
    Curtis D. Klaassen

    A comprehensive reference covering the foundational principles of toxicology, mechanisms of toxic injury, target organ toxicity, and environmental and population health toxicology.

  • Casarett & Doull’s Essentials of Toxicology, 4th Edition
    Curtis D. Klaassen, John B. Watkins III

    A concise, practice-focused overview of core toxicology concepts, emphasizing clinically relevant mechanisms, toxicant disposition, and applied toxicology.

  • Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, 11th Edition
    Lewis S. Nelson, Mary Ann Howland, Neal A. Lewin, Silas W. Smith, Lewis R. Goldfrank, Robert S. Hoffman

    The leading clinical reference for the assessment and management of poisoned patients and toxicologic emergencies, including acute exposures, antidotal therapy, and population-level toxicology considerations.

Supplemental Resources

Candidates may also consult current clinical and professional resources related to toxicology pharmacy practice, including:

  • Peer-reviewed journals in clinical and medical toxicology

  • Poison control center guidance and toxicology management resources

  • Medication safety and pharmacovigilance publications

  • Environmental and occupational toxicology resources from governmental and public health agencies

  • Regulatory guidance related to toxic substances and drug safety

  • Continuing education programs in clinical and applied toxicology

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