The California Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (CPJE) is required for all pharmacist licensure applicants in California. Administered by the California State Board of Pharmacy, it tests knowledge of state and federal laws governing pharmacy practice in California. Downloading our free CPJE practice test PDF lets you study the full scope of California pharmacy law offline, at your own pace, and in print format.
With 90 questions and a 2-hour time limit, the CPJE demands both breadth and depth. Our printable PDF covers the California Business and Professions Code, Title 16 CCR regulations, DEA controlled substance rules, CURES requirements, and the expanding scope of pharmacist prescriptive authority — everything you need to pass the first time.
Division 2, Chapter 9 of the California Business and Professions Code (BPC) is the statutory backbone of California pharmacy law. CPJE questions frequently test pharmacist licensing requirements, pharmacy permit categories (community, hospital, clinic, compounding, veterinary), grounds for disciplinary action, unprofessional conduct, and the powers and responsibilities of the Board of Pharmacy. Knowing which acts require a pharmacist versus a pharmacy technician, and which require pharmacist verification, is essential.
Title 16, Division 17 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) provides implementing rules for the BPC. Topics include technician-to-pharmacist ratios, prescription dispensing requirements, labeling standards, record-keeping timelines, and the detailed operational rules for various pharmacy permit types. CPJE candidates should be especially comfortable with sterile compounding regulations, the requirements for automated dispensing systems, and the documentation standards for pharmacist-conducted drug utilization reviews.
California pharmacists must comply with both federal DEA regulations and state law, which is sometimes stricter. Key topics include Schedule II–V dispensing requirements, emergency oral prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances, partial dispensing rules, DEA Form 222 and CSOS (Controlled Substance Ordering System), theft and loss reporting (DEA Form 106), and the requirements for controlled substance inventories. California law prohibits refills on Schedule II and limits Schedule III–IV refills to five in six months.
The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) is California's mandatory PDMP. Pharmacists must check CURES before dispensing Schedule II–IV controlled substances to a new patient or when there is reasonable doubt about a legitimate medical purpose. CPJE questions test CURES access requirements, reporting timelines (one business day), which substances must be reported, and exemptions for hospice, clinical research, and other specific settings.
California requires pharmacists to offer to counsel patients on new prescriptions and on prescription changes. The offer must be made verbally, and the patient or caregiver must have the opportunity to decline in writing. CPJE questions cover counseling exceptions (refills with no changes, patients who decline), elements of effective counseling, and the pharmacist's duty to counsel on over-the-counter medications and devices when requested.
California pharmacists can furnish naloxone, hormonal contraceptives (under statewide protocol), nicotine replacement therapy, and certain travel medications under standardized procedures. Under a Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA) with a physician, pharmacists can modify drug therapy, order lab tests, and manage chronic conditions. CPJE candidates must know which medications require a CPA, which require only a statewide protocol, and the record-keeping obligations for each category of furnishing authority.
California distinguishes between non-sterile compounding (governed by USP 795 standards and Title 16 CCR) and sterile compounding (governed by USP 797 and the Board's sterile compounding permit requirements). CPJE questions test beyond-use dating, facility and personnel requirements, quality assurance records, prohibited compounding practices (copies of commercially available products without a valid clinical rationale), and the special requirements for compounding for office use.
California pharmacists may administer vaccines to patients aged 3 and older under a statewide protocol or physician order without a patient-specific prescription. They must complete ACIP-recognized immunization training, maintain certification in basic life support, and report administered vaccines to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR). The CPJE tests specific age restrictions, which vaccines are covered, training requirements, and the documentation and reporting obligations that follow vaccine administration.
Automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), robotic dispensing systems, and remote dispensing sites each have specific regulatory requirements in California. CPJE questions cover the pharmacist oversight and verification requirements for automated systems, which functions may be delegated to technicians operating these systems, the record-keeping requirements, and the conditions under which a remote dispensing site pharmacy permit is required versus optional.
The CPJE consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, all of which are scored (there are no unscored pilot items, unlike the NAPLEX). Candidates have 2 hours to complete the examination. The minimum passing score is a scaled score of 75, which is determined through a standard-setting process and is not a simple percentage correct. Candidates who do not pass must wait 90 days before retesting and must reapply through the Board.
Studying on a screen? Our interactive CPJE practice test delivers randomized questions on all California pharmacy law topics, instant answer feedback, and a progress tracker that highlights your weakest areas. Pair the printable PDF with our online tests for comprehensive exam readiness.