The NAPLEX: evolution, purpose, scope, and educational implications.
Since 2004, passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) has been a requirement for earning initial pharmacy licensure in all 50 United States. The creation and evolution from 1952-2005 of the particular pharmacy competency testing areas and quantities of questions are described for the former paper-and-pencil National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NABPLEX) and the current candidate-specific computer adaptive NAPLEX pharmacy licensure examinations. A 40% increase in the weighting of NAPLEX Blueprint Area 2 in May 2005, compared to that in the preceding 1997-2005 Blueprint, has implications for candidates' NAPLEX performance and associated curricular content and instruction. New pharmacy graduates' scores on the NAPLEX are neither intended nor validated to serve as a criterion for assessing or judging the quality or effectiveness of pharmacy curricula and instruction. The newest cycle of NAPLEX Blueprint revision, a continual process to ensure representation of nationwide contemporary practice, began in early 2008. It may take up to 2 years, including surveying several thousand national pharmacists, to complete.
Newton
David W
DW
Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA 22601, USA. dnewton@su.edu
Boyle
Maria
M
Catizone
Carmen A
CA
D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008009:Licensure, Pharmacy / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009656:North America; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012984:Software