CPBS · VIRTUAL PATH

Learn live. Earn CPBS.

Weekly, instructor-led virtual sessions in PBM pricing, procurement, contracts, and specialty pharmacy cost containment, taught by working practitioners. Ask questions live, or catch the recording. University-partnered CE credit, no travel required.

Up to 20+ CE credit hours
USC Mann School of Pharmacy PartnerInc5000
01 / Who shares the classroom

Anyone who touches
the pharmacy benefit.

From HR executives to pharmacists, if you influence the pharmacy benefit decision, this classroom is built for you.

HR & Finance Leaders

Executives, controllers, and directors of finance who own the pharmacy line item.

Brokers, Consultants & Insurance Executives

Practical PBM training that wins and retains clients.

CEOs, Founders & Owners

Leaders who want a direct line of sight into pharmacy cost drivers.

Pharmacists & Technicians

Go beyond dispensing and understand the business side of the plan.

02 /How it works

No travel.
No missed workdays.

Thursdays

6:00 PM Eastern, live via Zoom

8 sessions

1.5 hours per session

Recorded

On-demand replay, available 24/7

85%+

Score required on the final exam

03 /Curriculum

Eight weeks.
One PBM playbook.

Each week builds on the last, ending in a comprehensive final exam.

Week 1

Introduction to Pharmacy Benefit Management

Week 2

Fundamentals of PBM Pricing

Week 3

Benefit Design for the Pharmacy Benefit

Week 4

Cost Containment Strategies for the Pharmacy Benefit

Week 5

PBM Procurement

Week 6

PBM Contracts

Week 7

Specialty Pharmacy Benefits Management

Week 8

Final Exam

04 /Graduates

From the
live classroom.

Pharmacists, clinical advisors, and practice directors who sat in the same weekly sessions.
05 /Pricing

Register early.
Save the most

Standard registration is $2,750. Register ahead of the cohort start date to save, individually or as a group.

Virtual Certification

8 live weekly sessions, CPBS® certification eligible.

$ 1

Group Registration

Train your team together, at least 45 days before the cohort starts.

06 /Questions

Before you
join a cohort.

No. Sessions run live on Thursday evenings, 6:00 PM Eastern, with breakout discussions and Q&A. Every session is recorded, so you can catch up if you miss one.

Virtual cohorts run three times a year: Winter starts the second Thursday in January, Summer starts the first Thursday in June, and Fall starts the first Thursday in September.

Yes. Pass the final exam with a score of 85% or better and you earn the CPBS® designation.

Standard registration is $2,750, with early-bird savings for registering ahead of the cohort start date. Many employers cover all or part of the cost through professional development budgets, check with HR before registering.

You can receive a refund of your course fee (less $100 for the eBook training guide) up to 7 days after the course start date. After that, there are no refunds.

Yes, and it’s free if you switch within 7 days of your current cohort’s start date. After that, switching to a later cohort requires the full registration fee again.

Yes. The Virtual path is approved for SHRM and HRCI continuing education credit, and pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can earn ACPE credit through our partnership with the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy. Many states also offer L&H continuing education credit for this program.

Anyone who touches the pharmacy benefit: HR executives, brokers and consultants, insurance executives, CEOs and founders, CFOs and finance directors, and pharmacists or pharmacy technicians.

CPBS® recertification is required every two years and costs as low as $495. To renew, complete one self-study course and one ethics credit within your two-year cycle. You’ll receive an email notice 12 months before your certification expires. Keeping your status current is the student’s responsibility.

Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 85% to earn certification. Two examination attempts are included with initial enrollment and the highest score earned is recorded. Candidates who do not achieve a passing score after the two included attempts may enroll in any subsequent cohort for a $200 examination fee. Enrollment provides access to the full program, including all course materials and instruction, through the cohort’s final examination. The examination fee includes up to two exam attempts for that cohort. Candidates may continue to enroll in future cohorts until they achieve a passing score.

 
07 /Enroll

Learn from people
who’ve already read the
contract.

Live, instructor-led, university-partnered, and built around the real work of managing pharmacy benefits end to end.