@article {293, title = {The NAPLEX: evolution, purpose, scope, and educational implications}, journal = {American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education}, volume = {72}, number = {2}, year = {2008}, note = {Newton, David WBoyle, MariaCatizone, Carmen AHistorical ArticleUnited StatesAmerican journal of pharmaceutical educationAm J Pharm Educ. 2008 Apr 15;72(2):33.}, month = {Apr 15}, pages = {33}, edition = {2008/05/17}, abstract = {Since 2004, passing the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) has been a requirement for earning initial pharmacy licensure in all 50 United States. The creation and evolution from 1952-2005 of the particular pharmacy competency testing areas and quantities of questions are described for the former paper-and-pencil National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NABPLEX) and the current candidate-specific computer adaptive NAPLEX pharmacy licensure examinations. A 40\% increase in the weighting of NAPLEX Blueprint Area 2 in May 2005, compared to that in the preceding 1997-2005 Blueprint, has implications for candidates{\textquoteright} NAPLEX performance and associated curricular content and instruction. New pharmacy graduates{\textquoteright} scores on the NAPLEX are neither intended nor validated to serve as a criterion for assessing or judging the quality or effectiveness of pharmacy curricula and instruction. The newest cycle of NAPLEX Blueprint revision, a continual process to ensure representation of nationwide contemporary practice, began in early 2008. It may take up to 2 years, including surveying several thousand national pharmacists, to complete.}, keywords = {*Educational Measurement, Education, Pharmacy/*standards, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century, Humans, Licensure, Pharmacy/history/*legislation \& jurisprudence, North America, Pharmacists/*legislation \& jurisprudence, Software}, isbn = {1553-6467 (Electronic)0002-9459 (Linking)}, author = {Newton, D. W. and Boyle, M. and Catizone, C. A.} }