Code of Massachusetts Regulations 247 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN PHARMACY
Here’s a well-organized overview of 247 CMR – Board of Registration in Pharmacy (Massachusetts):
📄 Structure of 247 CMR
Per Mass.gov and Casetext, the sections include (mass.gov):
2.00 – Definitions
3.00 – Pharmacist licensure requirements (updated April 25, 2025) (mass.gov)
4.00 – Registration renewal & continuing education
6.00 – Licensure of pharmacies (e.g., drug stores, compounding, remote pharmacies; current as of April 25, 2025) (casetext.com, law.cornell.edu)
7.00 – Wholesale druggists
8.00 – Pharmacy interns and technicians (updated April 25, 2025) (mass.gov)
9.00 – Professional practice standards (last updated Dec 6, 2024) (mass.gov)
10.00 – Disciplinary proceedings
11.00 – Registration under Controlled Substances Act
13.00 – Nuclear pharmacies standards
14.00 – Petition for waiver
15.00 – Continuous quality improvement program
16.00 – Collaborative drug therapy management
20.00 – Reporting requirements (updated Dec 6, 2024) (mass.gov, casetext.com, mass.gov)
21.00 – Outsourcing facilities registration
✅ Key Highlights
3.00 – Pharmacist Licensure
Covers education, exams (NAPLEX/MPJE), intern hours, and OR verification. (PDF ~81 KB) (mass.gov)
4.00 – Renewal & CE Requirements
Mandates continuing education for license renewal (also covers notification timelines)—see renewal section for specifics.
6.00 – Pharmacy Licensure
Encompasses applications for various types of pharmacy operations (retail, compounding, institutional, non-resident), management changes, relocations, provisional licenses, and closures—reinforced by recent regulatory updates (Dec 2024 emergency and Jan 2025) (law.cornell.edu).
8.00 – Interns & Technicians
Defines training, eligibility, supervised scope of practice, and certification/training standards. (PDF ~119 KB)
9.00 – Professional Practice Standards
Sets standards for safe dispensing, record maintenance, patient counseling, controlled substances handling, electronic systems, and institutional exemptions (PDF ~246 KB) .
—Examples include:
Pharmacist responsible for final prescription validation, computerized records, label printing, bedside delivery rules, and handling controlled substances (9.04) (law.cornell.edu).
Maintenance of patient profiles and records including demographic info, allergies, medication history (9.16 & 9.07) .
20.00 – Reporting
Details mandatory adverse event and disciplinary reporting to the Board. (mass.gov)
🧭 How to Navigate 247 CMR
Identify relevant section: e.g., licensure → 3.00; pharmacy setup → 6.00; techs → 8.00; practice rules → 9.00; reporting → 20.00.
Download official PDFs from Mass.gov for precise legal text.
Refer to definitions in 2.00 for clarity on key terms.
Learn updates via Mass Register (e.g., updates on 9.00 and 20.00 effective Dec 6, 2024).
Consult Board policies/advisories for nuances like CE hours or reporting intervals not fully captured in CMR.
Reach out to the Trial Court Law Libraries or Board of Pharmacy for deep clarifications.
🛠 Studying Tips & Practical Insights
Reddit users preparing for the MA MPJE often note:
“247 CMR…is law” – including requirements like collecting DOB and counseling rights (mass.gov, mass.gov, casetext.com, law.cornell.edu, reddit.com, reddit.com, reddit.com).
They recommend using CMR alongside state policies, practice exams, and summaries — especially for topics like controlled substances, CE, and reporting timeframes .
✅ Summary Table
| Section | Topic | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | Terms & Definitions | Legal definitions used elsewhere |
| 3.00 | Pharmacist Licensure | Exam, education, intern hours |
| 4.00 | Renewal & CEs | Continuing education obligations |
| 6.00 | Pharmacy Licensure | Pharmacies, compounding, transfers |
| 8.00 | Interns & Technicians | Eligibility, roles, oversight |
| 9.00 | Practice Standards | Dispensing rules, records, counseling |
| 20.00 | Reporting | Adverse events, controlled substances |
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