Master pharmacy
benefits management.
Earn CPBS.
The credential for the person who manages, or wants to manage, pharmacy benefits end to end, from PBM contracts and formulary rebates to specialty drug costs and fiduciary compliance. University-sponsored training built for HR, brokers, TPAs, and pharmacy professionals. Choose your path: Virtual, Self-Paced, In-Person, or On-Demand.
- ACPE
- SHRM
- HRCI
- L&H
Pharmacy is the plan’s
biggest lever.
CPBS is designed around the real work of managing pharmacy benefits end to end, not a generic HR credential.
HR & Benefits Leaders
Cut costs, keep control, and deliver better outcomes for the plan and its members.
Brokers & Consultants
Practical medical benefits training that wins and retains clients.
Third-Party Administrators
Deliver stronger medical oversight to the groups you administer for.
Pharmacists
Go beyond dispensing and understand the business side of the medical plan.
Authority, not just
an acronym.
Established pharmacy benefits authority
Fiduciary expertise that stands out
Cost-saving strategies you can lead with
Certification-backed credibility
Train anytime, anywhere
A network of industry leaders
However you learn best,
there’s a path.
Three paths lead to the CPBS® certification. On-Demand delivers the same practical training as a self-study certificate.
Virtual
Weekly instructor-led sessions via Zoom, in small, interactive cohorts.
- Live group discussion & Q&A
- 8-week duration
- Small cohort sizes
- CPBS® certification eligible
from $
2,250
Self-Paced
Fully online, go at your own speed. Ideal for busy professionals.
- 12 months to complete
- 100% online
- Buy all 7 courses upfront and save
- CPBS® certification eligible
from $
3,265
In-Person
At the PBIA Summit or on-site at your organization. Immersive and team-friendly.
- Networking & live workshops
- Immersive format
- Ideal for teams
- CPBS® certification eligible
from $
2,250
On-Demand
Recorded lessons, quizzes, and case studies. Available instantly, for solo learners.
- Start immediately
- 100+ on-demand video lessons
- Maximum flexibility
- Certificate of completion eligible
from $
997
Pharmacists.
Brokers. Believers.
CPBS graduates span pharmacy, brokerage, and academia, all applying the same PBM playbook.
“You are one of the best teachers I have encountered, and this course should be taught at every pharmacy school.”
“Thank you so much for being a great teacher. I learned so much!”
“I couldn’t have imagined learning as much as I did over these 8 weeks, especially as it pertains to hidden revenue streams and ambiguous contract language that ultimately drives up costs for the plan sponsor.”
“I just completed my Certified Pharmacy Benefits Specialist certification and it was tough. I learned so many things I look forward to sharing with my clients. Right now I am seeing about 20 to 28% in preliminary savings for a self-funded prospect, and that’s just Rx costs.”
“It was not easy, but the content will change how our agency operates moving forward. I appreciate your time and look forward to working with you moving forward.”
Read this before you choose.
Virtual, Self-Paced, and In-Person all lead to the CPBS® certification, a formal credential earned by passing a standardized, proctored exam. On-Demand delivers the same practical PBM training built around CPBS principles, but awards a Certificate of Completion rather than the certification itself.
On the Virtual, Self-Paced, and In-Person paths, yes: upon achieving a course grade of 85% or better, you earn the CPBS® credential. On-Demand awards a certificate of completion, valuable proof of participation, but not a formal certification.
Certification paths (Virtual, Self-Paced, In-Person) give you twelve months to complete the program. On-Demand access renews annually and includes free content updates.
Yes, on the certification paths: up to 20 CE credit hours across ACPE, SHRM, HRCI, and L&H. CE credit is not currently available on the On-Demand path.
In most cases, yes. Many participants are reimbursed through professional development or tuition assistance budgets. We provide an itemized receipt after purchase to support your request.
Yes. Group discount structures vary by path; on On-Demand, for example, every 5 licenses saves $1,000 versus enrolling individually. Contact us for group pricing on Virtual, Self-Paced, and In-Person cohorts.
Yes. The Pharmacy Benefit Institute of America and its CPBS® program are sponsored by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Eshelman School of Pharmacy, one of the top pharmacy schools in the country. The USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy separately supports CE accreditation for CPBS.
For CPBS® certification holders, recertification is required every two years and costs as low as $495. To renew, complete one module of your choice from the curriculum, plus a short ethics course, no need to repeat the full program. Keeping your recertification status current is the student’s responsibility. Questions, or ready to renew? Email info@acobs.org.
See the full picture of
your pharmacy spend.
University-sponsored, practitioner-built, and built around the real work of managing pharmacy benefits end to end: contracts, formulary, specialty drugs, and compliance.