CPJE EXAM 2025/2026: PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
Question 1
A licensed pharmacist in California is completing their first biennial license
renewal cycle after graduating from an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy.
How many hours of continuing education (CE) must they submit to the Board
of Pharmacy?
A) 30 hours, including 2 hours of law and ethics
B) 15 hours, focused entirely on clinical practice
C) 30 hours, with a minimum of 6 hours in compounding
D) 0 hours
VERIFIED ANSWER: D) 0 hours
EXPLANATION: Under California law, a pharmacist's first biennial renewal
cycle directly following graduation from pharmacy school is exempt from the
standard continuing education requirements. For all subsequent renewal
cycles, the pharmacist must complete 30 hours of approved CE, which must
include at least 2 hours of pharmacy law and ethics.
Question 2
An investigator from the California Board of Pharmacy notes during an
inspection that an individual pharmacist is concurrently supervising three intern
pharmacists during a high-volume immunization clinic. What is the maximum
number of intern pharmacists a single pharmacist can legally supervise?
,A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
VERIFIED ANSWER: B) Two
EXPLANATION: California Business and Professions Code establishes a
strict supervisory ratio of one pharmacist to a maximum of two intern
pharmacists. This ratio ensures adequate oversight, training, and public
safety during clinical and dispensing activities.
Question 3
A pharmacy technician changes their legal name and residential address
following marriage. Within how many days must this change be reported to the
California Board of Pharmacy?
A) 10 days
B) 14 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
VERIFIED ANSWER: C) 30 days
EXPLANATION: The California Board of Pharmacy requires all licensees
(including pharmacists, interns, technicians, and designated representatives)
to report any change of name, residence address, or place of employment
within 30 days of the change.
Question 4
A patient presents a prescription for a Schedule III controlled substance. The
prescription was written exactly 5 months ago and has a total of 6 refills
authorized. How many times can this prescription legally be refilled?
,A) 0 times, because it expires after 4 months
B) 5 times, because Schedule III prescriptions are limited to a maximum of 5
refills within 6 months
C) 6 times, as long as the total quantity does not exceed a 120-day supply
D) 1 time, before the 6-month hard expiration date is reached
VERIFIED ANSWER: B) 5 times, because Schedule III prescriptions are
limited to a maximum of 5 refills within 6 months
EXPLANATION: California law dictates that prescriptions for Schedule III
and Schedule IV controlled substances may not be refilled more than 5 times,
nor can any refill be dispensed more than 6 months after the date the
prescription was written. Furthermore, the total refills combined cannot
exceed a 120-day supply.
Question 5
A patient stabilized on a maintenance regimen of Warfarin is prescribed a
course of Rifampin for an infection. Utilizing the clinical mnemonic "PS
PORTS," how should the pharmacist evaluate this drug interaction?
A) Rifampin is a CYP450 inhibitor, which will increase Warfarin levels and
raise bleeding risks.
B) Rifampin is a CYP450 inducer, which will decrease Warfarin levels and
raise clot risks.
C) Rifampin blocks renal clearance, requiring an immediate 50% dose reduction
of Warfarin.
D) There is no metabolic interaction between Rifampin and Warfarin.
VERIFIED ANSWER: B) Rifampin is a CYP450 inducer, which will
decrease Warfarin levels and raise clot risks.
EXPLANATION: Rifampin is a potent cytochrome P450 enzyme inducer
(represented by the 'R' in the "PS PORTS" mnemonic). Enzyme induction
, accelerates the metabolism of co-administered drugs like Warfarin, reducing
their therapeutic serum concentrations and lowering the INR, which puts the
patient at an elevated risk for thromboembolism.
Question 6
A pharmacist receives a new prescription for an injectable controlled substance
in California. The prescription is generated on a standard, valid California
Security Prescription Form. Which of the following features is a mandatory,
legally defined element of this form to prevent counterfeiting under the
California Health and Safety Code?
A) A unique serialized number format pre-printed on each form
B) The pre-printed statement: "Not valid for out-of-state fulfillment"
C) A specialized thermal ink strip that changes color upon handling
D) A mandatory numeric barcode linked to the prescriber’s DEA license
VERIFIED ANSWER: A) A unique serialized number format pre-printed on
each form
EXPLANATION: California Health and Safety Code Section 11162.1
requires all controlled substance security prescription forms to possess a
unique serialized number system. This serial format allows tracking and
validation of the paper via the state's database to reduce illicit duplication and
diversion.
Question 7
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
Question 1
A licensed pharmacist in California is completing their first biennial license
renewal cycle after graduating from an ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy.
How many hours of continuing education (CE) must they submit to the Board
of Pharmacy?
A) 30 hours, including 2 hours of law and ethics
B) 15 hours, focused entirely on clinical practice
C) 30 hours, with a minimum of 6 hours in compounding
D) 0 hours
VERIFIED ANSWER: D) 0 hours
EXPLANATION: Under California law, a pharmacist's first biennial renewal
cycle directly following graduation from pharmacy school is exempt from the
standard continuing education requirements. For all subsequent renewal
cycles, the pharmacist must complete 30 hours of approved CE, which must
include at least 2 hours of pharmacy law and ethics.
Question 2
An investigator from the California Board of Pharmacy notes during an
inspection that an individual pharmacist is concurrently supervising three intern
pharmacists during a high-volume immunization clinic. What is the maximum
number of intern pharmacists a single pharmacist can legally supervise?
,A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
VERIFIED ANSWER: B) Two
EXPLANATION: California Business and Professions Code establishes a
strict supervisory ratio of one pharmacist to a maximum of two intern
pharmacists. This ratio ensures adequate oversight, training, and public
safety during clinical and dispensing activities.
Question 3
A pharmacy technician changes their legal name and residential address
following marriage. Within how many days must this change be reported to the
California Board of Pharmacy?
A) 10 days
B) 14 days
C) 30 days
D) 60 days
VERIFIED ANSWER: C) 30 days
EXPLANATION: The California Board of Pharmacy requires all licensees
(including pharmacists, interns, technicians, and designated representatives)
to report any change of name, residence address, or place of employment
within 30 days of the change.
Question 4
A patient presents a prescription for a Schedule III controlled substance. The
prescription was written exactly 5 months ago and has a total of 6 refills
authorized. How many times can this prescription legally be refilled?
,A) 0 times, because it expires after 4 months
B) 5 times, because Schedule III prescriptions are limited to a maximum of 5
refills within 6 months
C) 6 times, as long as the total quantity does not exceed a 120-day supply
D) 1 time, before the 6-month hard expiration date is reached
VERIFIED ANSWER: B) 5 times, because Schedule III prescriptions are
limited to a maximum of 5 refills within 6 months
EXPLANATION: California law dictates that prescriptions for Schedule III
and Schedule IV controlled substances may not be refilled more than 5 times,
nor can any refill be dispensed more than 6 months after the date the
prescription was written. Furthermore, the total refills combined cannot
exceed a 120-day supply.
Question 5
A patient stabilized on a maintenance regimen of Warfarin is prescribed a
course of Rifampin for an infection. Utilizing the clinical mnemonic "PS
PORTS," how should the pharmacist evaluate this drug interaction?
A) Rifampin is a CYP450 inhibitor, which will increase Warfarin levels and
raise bleeding risks.
B) Rifampin is a CYP450 inducer, which will decrease Warfarin levels and
raise clot risks.
C) Rifampin blocks renal clearance, requiring an immediate 50% dose reduction
of Warfarin.
D) There is no metabolic interaction between Rifampin and Warfarin.
VERIFIED ANSWER: B) Rifampin is a CYP450 inducer, which will
decrease Warfarin levels and raise clot risks.
EXPLANATION: Rifampin is a potent cytochrome P450 enzyme inducer
(represented by the 'R' in the "PS PORTS" mnemonic). Enzyme induction
, accelerates the metabolism of co-administered drugs like Warfarin, reducing
their therapeutic serum concentrations and lowering the INR, which puts the
patient at an elevated risk for thromboembolism.
Question 6
A pharmacist receives a new prescription for an injectable controlled substance
in California. The prescription is generated on a standard, valid California
Security Prescription Form. Which of the following features is a mandatory,
legally defined element of this form to prevent counterfeiting under the
California Health and Safety Code?
A) A unique serialized number format pre-printed on each form
B) The pre-printed statement: "Not valid for out-of-state fulfillment"
C) A specialized thermal ink strip that changes color upon handling
D) A mandatory numeric barcode linked to the prescriber’s DEA license
VERIFIED ANSWER: A) A unique serialized number format pre-printed on
each form
EXPLANATION: California Health and Safety Code Section 11162.1
requires all controlled substance security prescription forms to possess a
unique serialized number system. This serial format allows tracking and
validation of the paper via the state's database to reduce illicit duplication and
diversion.
Question 7
