BCOP study guide
BCOP · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Board-Certified Oncology Pharmacist (BCOP®) credential is conferred by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) on pharmacists who pass the Oncology Pharmacy specialty certification examination. BPS describes the target population as pharmacists who design, implement, monitor, and modify pharmacotherapeutic treatments; manage adverse events or clinical situations associated with cancer, cancer therapies, and non-malignant hematology; and facilitate and/or evaluate clinical trials, research, and investigational drugs. The stated program purpose is to validate that the pharmacist has the advanced knowledge and experience to provide treatment and education that optimizes safety and outcomes for individuals receiving treatment for cancer or non-malignant hematologic conditions, palliative and supportive care, and/or survivorship care. More than 4,700 pharmacists currently hold the credential. The BCOP study guide has 4 sections and about 1,115 words.
01Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Modification of Pharmacotherapy
Oncology regimen selection is not a memory exercise alone. Confirm histology, stage, biomarkers, performance status, organ function, prior therapy, and treatment intent (curative, adjuvant, palliative).
278 words, about 1 min02Management of Adverse Events and Clinical Situations in Cancer and Non-Malignant Hematology
Use CTCAE grading and distinguish expected toxicity from urgent complications. Core emergencies: febrile neutropenia, tumor lysis syndrome, extravasation, anaphylaxis, cytokine release syndrome, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), cardiac toxicity, and thrombotic events.
280 words, about 1 min03Palliative, Supportive, and Survivorship Care
Palliative care addresses pain, dyspnea, nausea, constipation, anorexia, fatigue, depression, and goals of care alongside disease therapy. Survivorship focuses on late effects, fertility, bone health, cardiovascular risk, secondary malignancy, vaccination, psychosocial needs, and care coordination.
282 words, about 1 min04Clinical Trials, Research, and Investigational Drug Facilitation and Evaluation
Understand phases: I (safety/dose), II (activity/screening), III (comparative confirmatory), IV (postmarketing). Know endpoints (OS, PFS, ORR, DFS, QoL), randomization, blinding, allocation concealment, power, alpha, confidence intervals, intention-to-treat (ITT), per-protocol, interim analyses, and DSMB roles.
275 words, about 1 min