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Exam Review

Key Facts: BCEMP Exam

150

Total Questions

125 scored + 25 pretest

3h 45m

Total Exam Time

BPS exam specifications

500/800

Passing Score

BPS scaled scoring

$600

Exam Fee

BPS 2026 ($300 retake)

2023

First Exam Year

Specialty recognized 2020

7 years

Certification Valid

Recertification cycle

The BCEMP exam has 150 multiple-choice items (125 scored) in 3 hours 45 minutes at Pearson VUE, answered in order with one optional 10-minute break. BPS reports scaled scores from 200 to 800, and 500 passes. In 2025, 53.9% of all candidates and 61.1% of first-time candidates passed. Eligibility requires an active pharmacist license plus, within the past 7 years, 4 years of emergency medicine practice, PGY1 plus 2 years of practice, or a PGY2 emergency medicine residency. Certification lasts 7 years.

Sample BCEMP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the BCEMP exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 137+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the recommended dose of IV/IO epinephrine during adult cardiac arrest per ACLS 2020 guidelines?
A.0.1 mg every 3-5 minutes
B.1 mg every 3-5 minutes
C.10 mg every 3-5 minutes
D.0.5 mg every 10 minutes
Explanation: ACLS 2020 recommends 1 mg IV/IO epinephrine every 3-5 minutes during adult cardiac arrest. Epinephrine is administered as soon as feasible for non-shockable rhythms and after first or second shock for shockable rhythms.
2A patient in refractory ventricular fibrillation has received two shocks and one dose of epinephrine. What is the recommended initial dose of amiodarone?
A.150 mg IV bolus
B.300 mg IV bolus
C.450 mg IV bolus
D.1 mg/kg IV bolus
Explanation: The initial dose of amiodarone in refractory VF/pulseless VT is 300 mg IV/IO push, followed by a second dose of 150 mg if VF/VT persists. Amiodarone is preferred over lidocaine in most ACLS algorithms.
3Which antiarrhythmic is first-line for torsades de pointes?
A.Amiodarone 300 mg IV
B.Lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg IV
C.Magnesium sulfate 1-2 g IV
D.Procainamide 17 mg/kg IV
Explanation: IV magnesium sulfate 1-2 g is first-line therapy for torsades de pointes regardless of the patient's magnesium level. Torsades is a polymorphic VT associated with QT prolongation; magnesium stabilizes the myocardial membrane.
4A hemodialysis patient presents in cardiac arrest with peaked T waves noted before the arrest. Which medication addresses the underlying cause most directly?
A.Sodium bicarbonate 1 mEq/kg
B.Calcium gluconate 3 g IV
C.Regular insulin 10 units IV with D50
D.Albuterol 20 mg nebulized
Explanation: Calcium (gluconate or chloride) is the fastest-acting therapy for cardiac membrane stabilization in hyperkalemia. In a hemodialysis patient with peaked T waves and arrest, empiric calcium is indicated. Insulin/dextrose and albuterol shift K+ intracellularly but act slower.
5What is the correct PALS dose of epinephrine for pediatric cardiac arrest?
A.0.001 mg/kg IV/IO
B.0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (1:10,000)
C.0.1 mg/kg IV/IO (1:1,000)
D.1 mg IV/IO regardless of weight
Explanation: PALS dose of epinephrine for cardiac arrest is 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (0.1 mL/kg of 1:10,000) every 3-5 minutes. Maximum single dose is 1 mg.
6A 6-month-old in symptomatic SVT has failed vagal maneuvers. What is the correct first dose of adenosine?
A.0.05 mg/kg rapid IV push
B.0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push
C.0.2 mg/kg rapid IV push
D.6 mg rapid IV push
Explanation: PALS first-dose adenosine for SVT is 0.1 mg/kg (max 6 mg) rapid IV push followed by saline flush. If ineffective, give 0.2 mg/kg (max 12 mg) as the second dose.
7A 65-year-old presents for RSI with a BP of 85/50 and HR 120. Which induction agent is most hemodynamically neutral?
A.Propofol 2 mg/kg
B.Etomidate 0.3 mg/kg
C.Midazolam 0.3 mg/kg
D.Thiopental 5 mg/kg
Explanation: Etomidate 0.3 mg/kg is the most hemodynamically neutral induction agent and is preferred in hemodynamically unstable patients. Ketamine is an alternative that can actually increase BP via sympathetic stimulation.
8Which RSI paralytic is contraindicated in a patient with hyperkalemia of 6.2 mEq/L?
A.Rocuronium
B.Vecuronium
C.Succinylcholine
D.Cisatracurium
Explanation: Succinylcholine causes a transient rise in serum potassium of approximately 0.5 mEq/L and is contraindicated in pre-existing hyperkalemia. It is also contraindicated in malignant hyperthermia, muscular dystrophies, and burns/denervation 24-72 hours or older.
9What is the correct RSI dose of rocuronium when succinylcholine is contraindicated?
A.0.3 mg/kg
B.0.6 mg/kg
C.1.0 mg/kg
D.1.2 mg/kg
Explanation: For RSI, rocuronium 1.2 mg/kg provides intubating conditions in approximately 60 seconds, comparable to succinylcholine. The standard non-RSI dose is 0.6 mg/kg, which takes longer (2-3 minutes).
10A 78 kg patient presents within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset. NIHSS is 14, BP 170/95, no contraindications. What is the correct alteplase dose?
A.0.9 mg/kg with 10% bolus, remainder over 60 min (max 90 mg)
B.0.6 mg/kg over 60 min
C.100 mg over 2 hours
D.0.25 mg/kg single bolus
Explanation: Per 2019 AHA/ASA stroke guidelines, alteplase is dosed at 0.9 mg/kg (max 90 mg) with 10% given as an IV bolus over 1 minute and the remainder infused over 60 minutes. For 78 kg: 70.2 mg total, 7.02 mg bolus, rest over 60 min.

About the BCEMP Exam

BCEMP is the Board of Pharmacy Specialties certification for emergency medicine pharmacists. BPS recognized emergency medicine pharmacy as a specialty in 2020, and the first BCEMP exam was given in 2023. The exam has 150 items (125 scored, 25 unscored) in 3 hours 45 minutes and covers emergency medicine operations and devices, therapeutics and patient management, and professional practice.

Exam sponsor: Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

150 questions

Time Limit

3 hours 45 minutes

Passing Score

500/800 (scaled)

Exam / Certification Fees

$600

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 53.9%. all 2025 candidates; 61.1% for first-time candidates (BPS) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

17%

Emergency Medicine

2025 outline (exams from December 1, 2026): ED operations (pre-hospital/EMS, triage, patient follow-up, toxicology and poison centers) and medical therapies and devices (ventilation, mechanical circulatory support, renal replacement, lines, infusion and delivery devices).

66%

Therapeutics and Patient Management

Patient assessment (13%), pharmacotherapy across 14 areas from cardiology to trauma and burns (33%), and therapeutic implementation, outcomes and monitoring (20%). Exams through November 30, 2026 use the 2024 outline, where Patient Care/Management is 75%.

17%

Professional Practice

Quality of care (medication safety, risk mitigation, regulations, quality improvement, formulary and informatics) and practice management (standards, statistics and research, literature evaluation, collaboration, disaster management). The 2024 outline splits this into Practice Management 15% and Education and Research 10%.

Preparing for the BCEMP Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 500/800 (scaled)
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours 45 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $600 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 137 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

BCEMP: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize weight-based ACLS/PALS drug dosing cold - epinephrine, amiodarone, adenosine, atropine, magnesium
2Master RSI induction and paralytic selection including succinylcholine contraindications (hyperkalemia, burns >24-72h, crush, muscular dystrophy, malignant hyperthermia)
3Know tPA/alteplase inclusion/exclusion criteria, dosing (0.9 mg/kg, max 90 mg) and post-tPA BP targets (<180/105)
4Review the full Surviving Sepsis 1-hour bundle: lactate, cultures, broad-spectrum abx, 30 mL/kg crystalloid, norepinephrine as first-line vasopressor
5Drill toxicology antidotes - NAC, sodium bicarb (TCA/salicylates), glucagon/HIET/lipid emulsion (BB/CCB), DigiFab, fomepizole, hydroxocobalamin, pralidoxime

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BCEMP pass rate?

BPS reported that 53.9% of all BCEMP candidates (323 examinees) and 61.1% of first-time candidates passed in 2025. BPS uses scaled scores from 200 to 800, and 500 is the passing score.

How many questions are on the BCEMP exam?

The BCEMP exam has 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored and 25 unscored pretest items) with 3 hours 45 minutes of testing time. Items are answered in order without returning to earlier items, and one optional 10-minute break counts against the testing time.

Who is eligible for the BCEMP exam?

Candidates need a degree from an ACPE-accredited (or jurisdiction-recognized) pharmacy program, an active pharmacist license, and within the past 7 years one of three pathways: 4 years of post-licensure emergency medicine pharmacy practice with at least 50% of time in the outline scope, a PGY1 residency plus 2 years of that practice, or a PGY2 emergency medicine pharmacy residency.

How much does the BCEMP exam cost?

The BCEMP application fee is $600 for initial certification and $300 for a retake. Review courses and study materials are extra.

When was BCEMP established and when are exams administered?

BPS recognized emergency medicine pharmacy as a specialty in 2020, and the first BCEMP exam was given in 2023. BPS now offers continuous testing at Pearson VUE test centers; approved candidates receive an authorization to test and schedule within its validity period.

How should I prepare for the BCEMP exam?

Plan 150 to 250 hours over 3 to 6 months. Focus on resuscitation and ACLS drug dosing, RSI drugs, thrombolytics and stroke care, sepsis and vasopressors, status epilepticus, toxicology antidotes and anticoagulant reversal, plus the devices, special-population and professional-practice topics in the 2025 outline. Use case-based practice questions and the ACCP/ASHP review course if helpful.

How long is BCEMP certification valid?

BCEMP certification lasts 7 years. To recertify, earn 80 units of assessed CPE from BPS-approved programs (ASHP with ACCP) plus up to 20 units of self-reported CPD, or pass the exam and report 20 units of CPD. At least 2 units must be reported each year, along with the annual maintenance fee.