What is the total number of CE hours required for a pharmacist who is licensed during the second 12 months of a biennium?

In Georgia, a pharmacist who is licensed during the second 12 months of a biennium is required to complete a total of 15 hours of continuing education (CE). This requirement recognizes that the pharmacist has joined the profession partway through the licensing cycle and, therefore, is expected to fulfill a prorated amount of educational hours.

The rationale behind assigning 15 hours instead of a full 30 is to ensure that the newly licensed pharmacist gets adequate educational resources and stays current without overwhelming them during their initial entry into the profession. This provision provides new licensees with an achievable goal while accommodating their transition into their professional roles.

While options like 30 hours, 0 hours, and 5 hours do not reflect the structured and reasonable approach established for those newly licensed, it is the requirement of 15 hours that aligns with Georgia’s continuing education standards for pharmacists who obtain their license during the latter half of the biennium.