Pharmacists Eligible for G.I. Bill Education Benefits Can Receive Reimbursement for NISPC Exams

Alexandria, VA — Pharmacists eligible to participate in the G.I. Bill may now receive reimbursement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) when they take one or more of the four Disease State Management (DSM) certification examinations offered by the National Institute for Standards in Pharmacist Credentialing (NISPC). NISPC has received approval for all four DSM examinations: anticoagulation, asthma, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

"The VA recognizes the value of certification and encourages veterans eligible for benefits under the G.I. Bill to participate", said Eleni Z. Anagnostiadis, RPh, Executive Director of NISPC. "We are proud to offer this benefit to all eligible pharmacists." The VA will reimburse pharmacists whether they pass or fail the exam and will allow pharmacists to retake a failed exam. Eligible pharmacists may apply to the VA for reimbursement of exam fees after they have taken the exam and received their results. The VA will only pay for the cost of the exam and not other fees connected with preparation for taking the exam, such as travel, study materials, etc.

With over 300 testing sites available nationwide, pharmacists can take one, two, three, or all four (4) DSM exams any time of the year at their convenience.

NISPC was formed in 1998 by the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to create a consolidated, nationally-recognized, disease state management credential for pharmacists. Since 1998, NISPC has credentialed nearly 1,400 pharmacists nationally in anticoagulation, asthma, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.