Pharmacy Operations, Licensure, and Personnel
What this domain tests
Operations questions test whether the pharmacy is properly licensed and staffed, whether personnel are authorized, and whether records, security, and equipment meet Board standards. The pharmacist-in-charge is the central compliance figure.
Core rules
- Pharmacy license and PIC. The pharmacy license must be current and posted; the PIC must be a Nevada-licensed pharmacist responsible for day-to-day compliance. A change of PIC must be reported to the Board.
- Personnel. Pharmacists, interns, and technicians must hold current Board credentials. Technicians may perform delegated tasks but cannot counsel, perform final verification, or exercise pharmacist judgment. Interns work under a preceptor.
- Training and competency. New staff must be trained on dispensing, security, and error reporting; compounding staff need demonstrated competency.
- Records and inspections. Prescription files, controlled-substance records, inventories, and policies must be readily retrievable for Board inspectors. Security includes limited access to controlled substances and appropriate alarm or access controls.
- Advertising and internet practice. Claims must be truthful; a pharmacy website cannot bypass licensure or prescription requirements.
- Closure or sale. Notify the Board and arrange for prescription records to remain accessible.
Worked example
The PIC resigns on Friday. The pharmacy cannot let the senior technician “run the pharmacy” until a replacement is hired. The license holder must designate a qualified PIC and notify the Board under its rules; until then, pharmacist coverage and compliance responsibilities must be maintained.
Traps
Do not assume an experienced technician can verify a prescription; do not let an expired license practice; do not treat Board notification as optional when the PIC changes; do not keep required records off-site without Board approval.