CPJE EXAM 2026 – 270 PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | CALIFORNIA
PHARMACY LAW & JURISPRUDENCE STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST
RELEASED
Core Domains
California Pharmacy Law and Jurisprudence (Business and Professions
Code, Title 16, CURES, Controlled Substances)
Federal and State Regulatory Compliance (DEA, FDA, HIPAA, OSHA,
USP 795/797/800)
Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Decision-Making (Cardiovascular,
Endocrine, Infectious Disease, Psychiatry, Pain Management)
Patient Counseling and Medication Safety (OBRA '90, Adverse Drug
Reactions, Drug Interactions, High-Alert Medications)
Pharmacy Operations and Management (Inventory, Record-Keeping,
Sterile Compounding, Technology, Quality Assurance)
Ethics and Professional Standards (Standard of Care, Scope of Practice,
Immunizations, Emergency Contraception, Naloxone)
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to simulate the California
Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination (CPJE) for pharmacist
licensure. The assessment covers California pharmacy law, federal
regulatory compliance, clinical pharmacotherapy, patient counseling,
pharmacy operations, and ethical decision-making. You will encounter
multiple-choice questions and scenario-based problems emphasizing
,real-world application, legal compliance, and evidence-based practice.
Mastery of these topics is essential for any pharmacist seeking licensure
in California.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–90
1. A pharmacist is preparing for their first license renewal in California.
According to the Board of Pharmacy, which of the following is true
regarding Continuing Education (CE) requirements?
A. They must complete 30 hours of CE, including 2 hours of law
B. They must complete 15 hours of CE within the first year
C. The first 2-year license cycle is exempt from CE requirements
D. They must only complete the 2-hour law and ethics requirement
RATIONALE: California regulations specify that the first two-year
license cycle is exempt from CE requirements. After the first renewal,
pharmacists must complete 30 hours of CE every two years, including 2
hours of law and ethics.
2. What is the effective date of the requirement under AB 1503 that a
nonresident pharmacy must designate a California-licensed
pharmacist as its pharmacist-in-charge (PIC)?
A. January 1, 2025
B. July 1, 2026
C. January 1, 2027
D. January 1, 2030
RATIONALE: AB 1503 requires that beginning July 1, 2026, each
nonresident pharmacy must identify a California-licensed pharmacist
employed at that pharmacy to serve as its PIC.
, 3. Under SB 41, which of the following is prohibited in PBM contracts
issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026?
A. Spread pricing
B. Flat pharmacy benefit management fees
C. Rebate pass-through to payers
D. Prior authorization for brand-name drugs
RATIONALE: SB 41 prohibits spread pricing and mandates a pass-
through pricing model effective January 1, 2026.
4. When must a nonresident pharmacy, under AB 1503, notify the
California State Board of Pharmacy of a change in its designated
PIC?
A. Within 7 days of the change
B. Within 30 days of the change
C. Within 14 days of the change
D. Immediately upon the change
RATIONALE: Under AB 1503, nonresident pharmacies must notify
the Board of changes in PIC within 30 days.
5. Under what conditions may a clinic practitioner now dispense a
Schedule II narcotic under Section 4184 of the Business and
Professions Code?
A. For chronic cancer pain management
B. To treat acute withdrawal symptoms while arranging proper follow-
up treatment
C. For any patient with a valid Schedule II prescription
D. Only for hospice patients
, RATIONALE: Section 4184 permits clinic practitioners to dispense
Schedule II narcotics to treat acute withdrawal symptoms while
arranging proper follow-up treatment.
6. A patient presents a prescription for a Schedule III controlled
substance. What is the maximum number of refills permitted under
California law?
A. 0 refills
B. 3 refills
C. 5 refills
D. 6 refills
RATIONALE: California law dictates that prescriptions for Schedule
III and Schedule IV controlled substances may not be refilled more than 5
times within 6 months from the date written.
7. A pharmacist receives an out-of-state prescription for a controlled
substance with authorized refills. What should the pharmacist do?
A. Fill the prescription as written
B. Verify the prescriber's DEA registration and CURES registration
C. Refuse to fill the prescription
D. Contact the Board of Pharmacy for approval
RATIONALE: Out-of-state controlled substance prescriptions are
invalid unless the prescriber is registered with CURES. The pharmacist
must verify both DEA and CURES registration.
8. What is the maximum time period within which a controlled
substance prescription must be filled after issuance in California?
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES | CALIFORNIA
PHARMACY LAW & JURISPRUDENCE STUDY
GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR-JUST
RELEASED
Core Domains
California Pharmacy Law and Jurisprudence (Business and Professions
Code, Title 16, CURES, Controlled Substances)
Federal and State Regulatory Compliance (DEA, FDA, HIPAA, OSHA,
USP 795/797/800)
Pharmacotherapy and Clinical Decision-Making (Cardiovascular,
Endocrine, Infectious Disease, Psychiatry, Pain Management)
Patient Counseling and Medication Safety (OBRA '90, Adverse Drug
Reactions, Drug Interactions, High-Alert Medications)
Pharmacy Operations and Management (Inventory, Record-Keeping,
Sterile Compounding, Technology, Quality Assurance)
Ethics and Professional Standards (Standard of Care, Scope of Practice,
Immunizations, Emergency Contraception, Naloxone)
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to simulate the California
Practice Standards and Jurisprudence Examination (CPJE) for pharmacist
licensure. The assessment covers California pharmacy law, federal
regulatory compliance, clinical pharmacotherapy, patient counseling,
pharmacy operations, and ethical decision-making. You will encounter
multiple-choice questions and scenario-based problems emphasizing
,real-world application, legal compliance, and evidence-based practice.
Mastery of these topics is essential for any pharmacist seeking licensure
in California.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–90
1. A pharmacist is preparing for their first license renewal in California.
According to the Board of Pharmacy, which of the following is true
regarding Continuing Education (CE) requirements?
A. They must complete 30 hours of CE, including 2 hours of law
B. They must complete 15 hours of CE within the first year
C. The first 2-year license cycle is exempt from CE requirements
D. They must only complete the 2-hour law and ethics requirement
RATIONALE: California regulations specify that the first two-year
license cycle is exempt from CE requirements. After the first renewal,
pharmacists must complete 30 hours of CE every two years, including 2
hours of law and ethics.
2. What is the effective date of the requirement under AB 1503 that a
nonresident pharmacy must designate a California-licensed
pharmacist as its pharmacist-in-charge (PIC)?
A. January 1, 2025
B. July 1, 2026
C. January 1, 2027
D. January 1, 2030
RATIONALE: AB 1503 requires that beginning July 1, 2026, each
nonresident pharmacy must identify a California-licensed pharmacist
employed at that pharmacy to serve as its PIC.
, 3. Under SB 41, which of the following is prohibited in PBM contracts
issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026?
A. Spread pricing
B. Flat pharmacy benefit management fees
C. Rebate pass-through to payers
D. Prior authorization for brand-name drugs
RATIONALE: SB 41 prohibits spread pricing and mandates a pass-
through pricing model effective January 1, 2026.
4. When must a nonresident pharmacy, under AB 1503, notify the
California State Board of Pharmacy of a change in its designated
PIC?
A. Within 7 days of the change
B. Within 30 days of the change
C. Within 14 days of the change
D. Immediately upon the change
RATIONALE: Under AB 1503, nonresident pharmacies must notify
the Board of changes in PIC within 30 days.
5. Under what conditions may a clinic practitioner now dispense a
Schedule II narcotic under Section 4184 of the Business and
Professions Code?
A. For chronic cancer pain management
B. To treat acute withdrawal symptoms while arranging proper follow-
up treatment
C. For any patient with a valid Schedule II prescription
D. Only for hospice patients
, RATIONALE: Section 4184 permits clinic practitioners to dispense
Schedule II narcotics to treat acute withdrawal symptoms while
arranging proper follow-up treatment.
6. A patient presents a prescription for a Schedule III controlled
substance. What is the maximum number of refills permitted under
California law?
A. 0 refills
B. 3 refills
C. 5 refills
D. 6 refills
RATIONALE: California law dictates that prescriptions for Schedule
III and Schedule IV controlled substances may not be refilled more than 5
times within 6 months from the date written.
7. A pharmacist receives an out-of-state prescription for a controlled
substance with authorized refills. What should the pharmacist do?
A. Fill the prescription as written
B. Verify the prescriber's DEA registration and CURES registration
C. Refuse to fill the prescription
D. Contact the Board of Pharmacy for approval
RATIONALE: Out-of-state controlled substance prescriptions are
invalid unless the prescriber is registered with CURES. The pharmacist
must verify both DEA and CURES registration.
8. What is the maximum time period within which a controlled
substance prescription must be filled after issuance in California?
