How long should continuing education records be kept?

Continuing education records are crucial for pharmacists to demonstrate compliance with licensing requirements and maintain their professional credentials. The typical retention period for these records is three years. This duration aligns with various state regulations and helps ensure that practitioners can provide verifiable proof of their continuing education efforts during that time frame. Keeping records for three years allows regulatory bodies to verify compliance with continuing education mandates should they conduct audits or investigations into a pharmacist's licensure status or professional development efforts.

Longer retention periods, like five years, may be mandated by specific programs or institutions, but the standard requirement is often set at three years to balance record-keeping demands with the need for current information. Therefore, maintaining continuing education records for three years is essential for professional support and regulatory compliance.