MA MPJE cheat sheet

Pharmacist licensure requires graduation from an ACPE-accredited pharmacy program, passing NAPLEX and MPJE, and completion of Board-approved practical experience under a registered preceptor.

Pharmacy interns must register with the Board before accruing intern hours; hours are logged and verified by the preceptor.

Pharmacy technicians must be registered with the Board before performing technician duties; registration is separate from voluntary certification.

Pharmacist licenses renew biennially and require 30 contact hours of continuing education per cycle; CE records are subject to Board audit.

A pharmacy facility must hold a Board-issued pharmacy license, designate a pharmacist-in-charge, and report changes in ownership, location, or PIC.

Licensure by reciprocity or license transfer requires an active license in good standing and Board review; MPJE may be required.

Practicing on an expired license is prohibited; late renewal may require additional fees or reinstatement procedures.

A collaborative practice agreement must be written and must define the pharmacist’s scope, patient criteria, communication with the prescriber, and documentation requirements.

Under a collaborative practice agreement, a pharmacist may initiate, modify, or discontinue drug therapy within the agreement but may not diagnose.

Pharmacists administering immunizations must complete accredited immunization training and CPR certification and follow applicable statewide protocols.

Vaccine administration requires provision of the Vaccine Information Statement and reporting of doses to the Massachusetts immunization registry (MIIS).

Massachusetts pharmacists have limited prescribing or furnishing authority under statewide protocols and collaborative agreements, such as for naloxone and vaccines.

A pharmacist must refer patients to a prescriber when the request falls outside the pharmacist’s authorized scope and must document the referral.

Pharmacists may not independently prescribe controlled substances outside specifically authorized protocols or collaborative agreements.

A prescription must include patient name and address, prescriber name and address, drug name, strength, dosage form, quantity, directions, date, refills, and prescriber signature; controlled substance prescriptions also require the prescriber’s DEA number.

Massachusetts generally requires prescriptions to be transmitted electronically, subject to statutory exceptions such as system failure, technical limitations, or emergencies.

A Schedule II prescription may not be refilled and must be filled within 30 days of issuance; an emergency oral Schedule II order requires a written prescription within seven days.

Schedule III, IV, and V prescriptions may be refilled up to five times within six months of the issue date.

Generic substitution is permitted unless the prescriber indicates no substitution; the patient must be informed and the substitution documented.

Labels must include pharmacy name and address, prescription number, date, patient and prescriber, directions, drug name, strength, quantity, expiration date, and required warnings.

Prescription and dispensing records must be retained and readily retrievable for Board inspection.

The federal Controlled Substances Act establishes Schedules I–V; Massachusetts separately schedules controlled substances under M.G.L. c. 94C, generally aligned with federal scheduling.

Massachusetts Controlled Substances Registration (MCSR) is required for practitioners and facilities handling controlled substances, in addition to federal DEA registration.

Schedule II prescriptions cannot be refilled; Schedule III–V prescriptions are limited to five refills within six months.

DEA registrants must take a complete controlled substance inventory every two years and retain controlled substance records for at least two years.

Massachusetts dispensers must report controlled substance dispensing to the prescription monitoring program, MassPAT, generally within 24 hours.

Prescribers must check MassPAT before prescribing Schedule II or III narcotics in specified circumstances; pharmacists must exercise corresponding responsibility before dispensing.

Controlled substances may be dispensed only for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.

Controlled substances must be stored in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet or area with access limited to authorized personnel.

The pharmacy must have adequate space, equipment, refrigeration, and reference materials for the scope of dispensing and compounding performed.

Prescription and controlled substance records must be retained for at least two years and be readily retrievable for Board or DEA inspection.

Storage temperatures, including refrigeration, must be monitored and documented to ensure drugs remain within manufacturer-required ranges.

The pharmacy must be secured when closed, and controlled substance areas must remain locked when not in active use.

Compounding equipment such as balances and graduates must be calibrated and maintained with documented records.

The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for daily compliance, including security, recordkeeping, equipment maintenance, and staff supervision.

Nonsterile compounding must follow USP <795>, sterile compounding must follow USP <797>, and hazardous drug handling must follow USP <800>.

Sterile compounding must occur in an ISO-classified cleanroom with environmental monitoring, validated processes, proper garbing, and documented personnel qualification.

Hazardous drugs must be handled using containment, closed system transfer devices, personal protective equipment, and negative-pressure storage and compounding areas.

Compounded preparations must be assigned a beyond-use date based on USP standards, stability information, preservative characteristics, and storage conditions.

A compounding record must document the formula, ingredients and lots, quantities, equipment, personnel, beyond-use date, and any deviations from the master formula.

Sterile compounding personnel must complete initial and periodic qualification, including gloved fingertip testing and media fill validation as applicable.

Compounded preparation labels must include the drug, strength, quantity, beyond-use date, storage requirements, and required warning statements.

Massachusetts wholesale distributors must obtain a Board license before distributing prescription drugs; out-of-state wholesalers also need Massachusetts authorization.

Drug manufacturers and repackagers distributing in Massachusetts must hold the required Board license or registration.

The Drug Supply Chain Security Act requires transaction information, transaction history, and a transaction statement documenting each transfer of prescription drug product.

Pharmacies may purchase prescription drugs only from authorized trading partners, such as licensed wholesalers or manufacturers, and must verify licensure.

Records of drug purchases, sales, and distributions must be maintained and made available for inspection.

Recalled or returned drugs must be quarantined and processed according to the manufacturer or reverse distributor instructions with documentation.

Suspicious orders or evidence of diversion must be reported and investigated according to controlled substance and supply chain requirements.

Pharmacists must offer counseling on new prescriptions and document in the patient record whether counseling was provided or refused.

Patient records should include allergies, current medications, diagnoses when available, counseling notes, interventions, and prescriber communications.

Patient information must be kept confidential and released only with authorization or as required or permitted by law.

Serious medication errors and adverse events must be documented, reviewed through quality improvement, and reported as required by state or federal law.

Written patient information may supplement but does not replace the pharmacist’s offer to counsel.

Communications with prescribers regarding therapeutic substitutions, dose changes, or clarifications must be documented.

Patients have rights to access their pharmacy records consistent with Massachusetts and federal privacy requirements.

Prohibited practices include dispensing without a valid prescription, forging prescriptions, drug diversion, practicing outside scope, failing to maintain records, and aiding unlicensed practice.

The Board may reprimand, fine, restrict, suspend, or revoke a license, impose probation, or require continuing education for violations.

Grounds for discipline include fraud, incompetence, impairment, criminal conviction, CE noncompliance, and unprofessional conduct.

The Board may inspect pharmacies and investigate complaints, including subpoenaing records and interviewing licensees.

The Board can take emergency action when public health or safety is threatened, pending a hearing.

Disciplinary proceedings require notice and an opportunity for a hearing, with appeal rights under Massachusetts law.

Licensees must report certain convictions, disciplinary actions, or impairments to the Board as required by law.