OBJECTIVES: To determine financial and professional benefits to examinees for Board of Pharmceutical Specialties (BPS) certification. METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey was developed and pre-tested. The survey was sent to all 84 US colleges of pharmacy. Demographics captured included college size, mean yearly research dollars, faculty size, and enrollment. Information regarding numbers of BPS-certified faculty, the extent to which BPS certification was considered in recruitment, and compensation/incentives provided to faculty for certification was obtained. RESULTS: Thirty-five surveys were returned. Deans completed surveys (54%) and division/ department chairs (43%). Mean number of full-time faculty members/institution was 24 (range 9-60). Mean number of full-time board certified faculty members was 7 (20%), with a range of 0-25. No institution required board certification for new faculty members; 8 (23%) anticipated such a requirement for currently non-certified faculty. Costs to examinees are estimated with minimum and maximum expenses varied for test cases. The survey revealed that expenses reimbursed varied considerably, with 34% reimbursing no expenses, 34% reimbursing a preparatory course and examination fee, 23% reimbursing the examination fee only if the examinee is successful, and 11% reimbursing travel expenses. The amount of reimbursement was tabulated. While 66% of respondents stated they encouraged faculty to seek board certification, fewer had faculty incentives. Only 17% provided salary increases and 6% granted promotion to recognize faculty members. Most institutions considered board certification in promotion and tenure (66%) and provided public recognition of successful examinees (51%). Potential values were attached to the promotion and tenure and public recognition variables based on literature values. CONCLUSIONS: BPS certification is not required at this time for any US college of pharmacy. Therefore, faculty members should consider the costs and benefits associated with pursuing such certification. This information may assist faculty members in resource use and decision-making with regard to BPS certification.