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Exam Review

Key Facts: CPJE Exam

90

Questions

75 scored + 15 pretest

75

Scaled Passing Score

Scale of 0-99, California Board of Pharmacy

2h

Exam Time

PSI testing centers

56%

Pass Rate

Overall, Apr-Sep 2025 CA Board report

$290

Exam Fee

CA Board 2026

Only CA

Unique Exam

Not MPJE

The CPJE has 90 questions (75 scored + 15 pretest) in 2 hours with a passing scaled score of 75 (on a 0-99 scale, not 75% correct). It covers California Business & Professions Code, Health & Safety Code, Title 16 CCR, and clinical practice. Candidates who fail must wait 45 days before retesting; after 4 failures, 16 semester units of remedial pharmacy education are required. Unlike the MPJE, the CPJE includes clinical pharmacy questions on drug knowledge, therapeutic planning, and adverse reaction recognition.

Sample CPJE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CPJE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 308+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1California's pharmacy practice act is found in which section of California law?
A.California Penal Code
B.Business & Professions Code Division 2 Chapter 9
C.Health & Safety Code Division 10
D.California Civil Code
Explanation: The California Pharmacy Law is primarily contained in the Business & Professions Code (B&P Code) Division 2, Chapter 9, starting at Section 4000. This chapter establishes the California Board of Pharmacy, defines pharmacy practice, sets licensing requirements, and provides the regulatory framework for all pharmacy operations in California.
2The California Board of Pharmacy is composed of how many members?
A.7 members
B.9 members
C.13 members
D.15 members
Explanation: The California Board of Pharmacy consists of 13 members: 7 pharmacist members appointed by the Governor, and 6 public members (4 appointed by the Governor, 1 by the Senate Rules Committee, and 1 by the Speaker of the Assembly). The Board oversees all aspects of pharmacy practice regulation in California.
3Under California law, CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) must be consulted before prescribing or dispensing which controlled substances?
A.Schedule II only
B.Schedules II and III
C.Schedules II through IV
D.All schedules (II-V)
Explanation: Under H&SC § 11165.4, prescribers are mandated to consult CURES before issuing the first Schedule II, III, or IV prescription to a patient and at least every 6 months during ongoing treatment. CURES is California's PDMP maintained by the Department of Justice. Pharmacists are not separately mandated to consult CURES before dispensing, but the Board expects pharmacists to query CURES when exercising corresponding responsibility and professional judgment over a controlled-substance prescription.
4Under California B&P Code Section 4052, a pharmacist may independently initiate and furnish which of the following?
A.Any controlled substance
B.Naloxone, hormonal contraceptives, nicotine replacement therapy, and HIV PrEP/PEP
C.Only immunizations
D.Only epinephrine auto-injectors
Explanation: California B&P Code Section 4052 authorizes pharmacists to independently initiate and furnish (without a prescription) naloxone, self-administered hormonal contraceptives, nicotine replacement products, HIV PrEP and PEP, and certain other medications. This furnishing authority makes California one of the most expansive states for pharmacist prescriptive scope.
5California recognizes the Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner (APP) designation (formerly Advanced Practice Pharmacist, APh). To qualify, a pharmacist must meet which requirements?
A.Only hold a California pharmacist license
B.Hold a California pharmacist license and satisfy at least two of three criteria: board certification, accredited postgraduate residency, or ≥1 year of clinical experience under a collaborative practice agreement including ≥1,500 hours
C.Complete 10 years of pharmacy practice experience
D.Hold a medical degree in addition to a pharmacy degree
Explanation: Effective January 1, 2025, California renamed the Advanced Practice Pharmacist (APh) recognition to Advanced Pharmacist Practitioner (APP) (B&P § 4052.6; § 4210; 16 CCR § 1730.1). To qualify, a pharmacist must hold a current California pharmacist license and meet at least two of the following: (1) current board certification in a recognized specialty (ambulatory care, critical care, geriatric, nuclear, nutrition support, oncology, pediatric, pharmacotherapy, or psychiatric); (2) completion of an accredited postgraduate residency with ≥50% direct patient care with interdisciplinary teams; or (3) at least one year of clinical experience under a collaborative practice agreement/protocol, including at least 1,500 hours of clinical services to patients within 10 years of application. APP recognition is coterminous with the pharmacist license (2 years); the application fee is $300.
6Under California law, the maximum pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio in a community pharmacy is:
A.1:1
B.2:1
C.3:1
D.4:1
Explanation: Effective January 1, 2026 (AB 1503, Stats. 2025, Ch. 196), B&P § 4115(g) allows a pharmacy with only one pharmacist on duty to supervise up to three licensed pharmacy technicians performing nondiscretionary (subdivision (a)) tasks, and a 3:1 technician-to-pharmacist ratio for each additional pharmacist. A pharmacist may decline to supervise a second technician based on professional judgment by notifying the pharmacist-in-charge in writing within 24 hours. For expanded subdivision (b) tasks (e.g., administering vaccines), only one technician may work under that pharmacist's direct supervision.
7Under California law, a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance is valid for how many days from the date of issuance?
A.6 months
B.30 days
C.90 days
D.There is no expiration for Schedule II prescriptions in California
Explanation: Under California Health & Safety Code § 11166, a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance may not be filled more than 6 months after the date written by the prescriber. H&SC § 11200(c) also prohibits refilling Schedule II prescriptions. After 6 months, a new prescription must be obtained. (Note: California's e-prescribing mandate, B&P § 688 effective Jan 1, 2022, generally requires electronic transmission, with limited exceptions.)
8California requires pharmacists to provide patient-centered labeling. Under Title 16 CCR Section 1707.5, which of the following is required on prescription labels?
A.Only the drug name and quantity
B.The patient name, drug name/strength, directions for use in the patient's language when requested, purpose of medication, and condition or diagnosis
C.Only the pharmacy name and prescription number
D.Only the prescriber name and drug name
Explanation: California's patient-centered labeling requirements (Title 16 CCR 1707.5) mandate that prescription labels prominently display the patient name, drug name and strength, directions for use, purpose/condition being treated, and prescriber name. Labels must be translated upon request. These requirements are more detailed than federal labeling minimums.
9Under California Health & Safety Code, which schedule of controlled substances may a nurse practitioner with furnishing authority prescribe?
A.No controlled substances
B.Schedule III-V only
C.Schedule II-V only
D.All schedules including Schedule I
Explanation: California nurse practitioners with furnishing authority and a DEA registration may prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances (Health & Safety Code Section 11150). This represents an expansion of NP prescriptive authority that was implemented in recent years. NPs must complete specific controlled substance education requirements.
10Under California law, a pharmacist must offer consultation on which prescriptions?
A.Only new prescriptions
B.Only controlled substance prescriptions
C.All new prescriptions, on refills at the patient's request, and whenever the pharmacist deems it professionally necessary
D.New prescriptions, and whenever there is a change in dosage form, strength, or directions
Explanation: Under 16 CCR § 1707.2 (Duty to Consult), the pharmacist or designee shall offer to consult with the patient or caregiver on: (A) all new prescription drug orders; (B) any prescription at the patient's request; (C) refills of prescriptions for which consultation was previously refused or not accepted; and (D) any prescription when the pharmacist, in professional judgment, deems consultation warranted (e.g., changes in therapy, potential interactions, new clinical information). Consultation must be offered in a manner that protects patient privacy and includes the offer to consult even if the patient initially declines.

About the CPJE Exam

The CPJE (California Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination for Pharmacists) is California's pharmacy jurisprudence examination, required for all pharmacist license applicants in California. Unlike the MPJE used in other states, the CPJE is developed and administered by the California Board of Pharmacy and covers both California-specific pharmacy law and clinical pharmacy practice, including knowledge of brand/generic medications, therapeutic drug plans, and patient counseling.

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

Questions

90 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Scaled score 75 (scale 0-99)

Exam / Certification Fees

$290

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 56% overall (Apr-Sep 2025); 64% first-time CA graduates. California Board of Pharmacy statistics report, April-September 2025 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.

31%

Patient Information & Prescription Evaluation

Obtaining and interpreting patient information and evaluating prescriptions/medication orders for accuracy, authenticity, and clinical appropriateness (23 of 75 scored items)

36%

Clinical Practice & Jurisprudence

Applying clinical drug knowledge together with California and federal law to therapeutic planning, drug interactions, adverse reactions, and patient counseling (27 of 75 scored items)

33%

Pharmacy Operations & Jurisprudence

Applying California and federal law to dispensing, compounding, recordkeeping, technician supervision, and pharmacy management (25 of 75 scored items)

Preparing for the CPJE Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scaled score 75 (scale 0-99)
  • Exam length: 90 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $290 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 308 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CPJE: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master California Business & Professions Code Division 2 Chapter 9 (Pharmacy Law) — the primary California pharmacy statute
2Study Title 16 CCR Board of Pharmacy regulations — detailed operational rules for California pharmacies
3Know CURES (California PDMP) requirements: mandatory checks before prescribing/dispensing Schedule II-IV controlled substances
4Unlike the MPJE, the CPJE tests clinical knowledge — review top 200 drugs, drug interactions, and therapeutic monitoring
5Understand California-specific rules: furnishing authority, advanced practice pharmacist (APh), and protocol-based prescribing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CPJE passing score?

The CPJE requires a scaled score of 75 on a 0-99 scale to pass — this is not the same as answering 75% of items correctly. The exam consists of 90 questions (75 scored and 15 unscored pretest questions) administered over 2 hours. The exam is administered at PSI testing centers across California. Candidates who do not pass must wait 45 days before retesting, and those with 4 total failures must complete 16 semester units of remedial pharmacy education before retesting.

How is the CPJE different from the MPJE?

The CPJE is unique to California and differs significantly from the MPJE. While the MPJE focuses solely on pharmacy law (federal + state), the CPJE also includes clinical practice questions covering drug knowledge, therapeutic planning, adverse reactions, and patient counseling. California is the only state that uses its own jurisprudence exam rather than the MPJE.

What California laws are tested on the CPJE?

The CPJE covers California Business & Professions Code Division 2 Chapter 9 (Pharmacy Law), Health & Safety Code controlled substance provisions, Title 16 California Code of Regulations (CCR) Board of Pharmacy rules, CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System), and California-specific prescribing and dispensing rules.

Do I need to pass both the NAPLEX and CPJE?

Yes, California requires passage of both the NAPLEX and the CPJE for pharmacist licensure. The two exams test different competencies — NAPLEX covers clinical pharmacy knowledge while the CPJE covers California law and its application to practice. Both must be passed within the timeframes set by the Board.

Does California participate in the MPJE or UMPJE?

No, California does not participate in the MPJE or the upcoming Uniform MPJE (UMPJE). California has its own jurisprudence examination (CPJE) administered by the California Board of Pharmacy, making it the only state with a completely independent pharmacy law exam.

What is the CURES database?

CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) is California's PDMP. Under Health & Safety Code 11165.1, the mandatory duty to consult CURES before prescribing or ordering Schedule II-IV controlled substances falls on prescribers, not pharmacists. Pharmacists are excluded from that mandatory-consultation requirement but must register for CURES access and may check it under their corresponding responsibility to verify a prescription's legitimacy. CURES is maintained by the California Department of Justice and helps identify potential drug abuse and diversion.