ARTICLE 2. Definitions [4015. - 4046.]

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC 2.
in effect

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4016.5. Section 4016.5.

“Advanced pharmacist practitioner” means a licensed pharmacist who has been recognized as an advanced pharmacist practitioner by the board, pursuant to Section 4210. A board-recognized advanced pharmacist practitioner is entitled to practice advanced practice pharmacy, as described in Section 4052.6, within or outside of a licensed pharmacy as authorized by this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4017. Section 4017.

“Authorized officers of the law” means inspectors of the California State Board of Pharmacy, inspectors of the Food and Drug Branch of the State Department of Public Health, and investigators of the department’s Division of Investigation or peace officers engaged in official investigations.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4017.3. Section 4017.3.

(a) An “automated drug delivery system” (ADDS) means a mechanical system that performs operations or activities, other than compounding or administration, relative to the storage, dispensing, or distribution of drugs. An ADDS shall collect, control, and maintain all transaction information to accurately track the movement of drugs into and out of the system for security, accuracy, and accountability. (b) An “automated unit dose system” (AUDS) is an ADDS for storage and retrieval of unit doses of drugs for administration to patients by persons authorized to perform these functions. (c) An “automated patient dispensing system” (APDS) is an ADDS for storage and dispensing of prescribed drugs directly to patients pursuant to prior authorization by a pharmacist.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4019. Section 4019.

An “order,” entered on the chart or medical record of a patient registered in a hospital or a patient under emergency treatment in the hospital, by or on the order of a practitioner authorized by law to prescribe drugs, shall be authorization for the administration of the drug from hospital floor or ward stocks furnished by the hospital pharmacy or under licensure granted under Section 4056, and shall be considered to be a prescription if the medication is to be furnished directly to the patient by the hospital pharmacy or another pharmacy furnishing prescribed drugs for hospital patients; provided that the chart or medical record of the patient contains all of the information required by Sections 4040 and 4070 and the order is signed by the practitioner authorized by law to prescribe drugs, if he or she is present when the drugs are given. If he or she is not present when the drugs are given, the order shall be signed either by the attending physician responsible for the patient’s care at the time the drugs are given to the patient or by the practitioner who ordered the drugs for the patient on the practitioner’s next visit to the hospital.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4021.5. Section 4021.5.

(a) “Correctional pharmacy” means a pharmacy, licensed by the board, for the purpose of providing drugs and pharmaceutical care to inmates of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (b) As part of its pharmaceutical care, a correctional pharmacy may dispense or administer medication pursuant to a chart order, as defined in Section 4019, or other valid prescription consistent with this chapter.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4022. Section 4022.

“Dangerous drug” or “dangerous device” means any drug or device unsafe for self-use in humans or animals, and includes the following: (a) Any drug that bears the legend: “Caution: federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription,” “Rx only,” or words of similar import. (b) Any device that bears the statement: “Caution: federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a ____,” “Rx only,” or words of similar import, the blank to be filled in with the designation of the practitioner licensed to use or order use of the device. (c) Any other drug or device that by federal or state law can be lawfully dispensed only on prescription or furnished pursuant to Section 4006.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4022.5. Section 4022.5.

(a) “Designated representative” means an individual to whom a license has been granted pursuant to Section 4053. A pharmacist fulfilling the duties of Section 4053 shall not be required to obtain a license as a designated representative. (b) “Designated representative-in-charge” means a designated representative or designated representative-reverse distributor, or a pharmacist licensed in the home state proposed by a wholesaler or veterinary food-animal drug retailer and approved by the board as the supervisor or manager responsible for ensuring the wholesaler’s or veterinary food-animal drug retailer’s compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to practice in the applicable license category.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4022.6. Section 4022.6.

“Designated representative-reverse distributor” means an individual to whom a license has been granted pursuant to Section 4053.2, who is responsible for supervision over a licensed wholesaler that only acts as a reverse distributor. A pharmacist fulfilling the duties of Section 4053.2 shall not be required to obtain a license as a designated representative-reverse distributor.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4022.7. Section 4022.7.

(a) “Designated representative-3PL” means an individual to whom a license has been granted pursuant to Section 4053.1. A pharmacist fulfilling the duties of Section 4053.1 shall not be required to obtain a license as a designated representative-3PL. (b) “Responsible manager” means a designated representative-3PL selected by a third-party logistics provider and approved by the board as responsible for ensuring compliance of the licensed place of business with state and federal laws with respect to dangerous drugs and dangerous devices received by, stored in, or shipped from the licensed place of business of the third-party logistics provider.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4023. Section 4023.

“Device” means any instrument, apparatus, machine, implant, in vitro reagent, or contrivance, including its components, parts, products, or the byproducts of a device, and accessories that are used or intended for either of the following: (a) Use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in a human or any other animal. (b) To affect the structure or any function of the body of a human or any other animal. For purposes of this chapter, “device” does not include contact lenses, or any prosthetic or orthopedic device that does not require a prescription.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4023.5. Section 4023.5.

For the purposes of this chapter, “direct supervision and control” means that a pharmacist is on the premises at all times and is fully aware of all activities performed by either a pharmacy technician or intern pharmacist.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4024. Section 4024.

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), “dispense” means the furnishing of drugs or devices upon a prescription from a physician, nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2837.103 or 2837.104, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, veterinarian, or naturopathic doctor pursuant to Section 3640.7, or upon an order to furnish drugs or transmit a prescription from a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2836.1, physician assistant, naturopathic doctor pursuant to Section 3640.5, or pharmacist acting within the scope of their practice. (b) “Dispense” also means and refers to the furnishing of drugs or devices directly to a patient by a physician, nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2837.103 or 2837.104, dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, or veterinarian, or by a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2836.1, naturopathic doctor, or physician assistant acting within the scope of their practice.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4025. Section 4025.

“Drug” means any of the following: (a) Articles recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official National Formulary or official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or any supplement of any of them. (b) Articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or other animals. (c) Articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or other animals. (d) Articles intended for use as a component of any article specified in subdivision (a), (b), or (c).

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4025.1. Section 4025.1.

“Nonprescription drug” means a drug which may be sold without a prescription and which is labeled for use by the consumer in accordance with the requirements of the laws and rules of this state and the federal government.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4025.2. Section 4025.2.

“Nonprescription diabetes test device” means a glucose meter or test strip for use in the treatment of prediabetic or diabetic individuals that may be sold without a prescription and that is labeled for use by the consumer in accordance with the requirements of the laws and rules of this state and the federal government.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4026.5. Section 4026.5.

“Good standing” means a license issued by the board that is unrestricted by disciplinary action taken pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4027. Section 4027.

(a) As used in this chapter, the terms “skilled nursing facility,” “intermediate care facility,” and other references to health facilities shall be construed with respect to the definitions contained in Article 1 (commencing with Section 1250) of Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. (b) As used in Section 4052.1, “licensed health care facility” means a facility licensed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 1250) of Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code or a facility, as defined in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, operated by a health care service plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. (c) As used in Section 4052.2, “health care facility” means a facility, other than a facility licensed under Division 2 (commencing with Section 1200) of the Health and Safety Code, that is owned or operated by a health care service plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of the Health and Safety Code, or by an organization under common ownership or control of the health care service plan; “licensed home health agency” means a private or public organization licensed by the State Department of Public Health pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1725) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, as further defined in Section 1727 of the Health and Safety Code; and “licensed clinic” means a clinic licensed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 1200) of Chapter 1 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code. (d) “Licensed health care facility” or “facility,” as used in Section 4065, means a health facility licensed pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 1250) of Chapter 2 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code or a facility that is owned or operated by a health care service plan licensed pursuant to Chapter 2.2 (commencing with Section 1340) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code or by an organization under common ownership or control with the health care service plan.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4028. Section 4028.

“Licensed hospital” means an institution, place, building, or agency that maintains and operates organized facilities for one or more persons for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illnesses to which persons may be admitted for overnight stay, and includes any institution classified under regulations issued by the State Department of Public Health as a general or specialized hospital, as a maternity hospital, or as a tuberculosis hospital, but does not include a sanitarium, rest home, a nursing or convalescent home, a maternity home, or an institution for treating alcoholics.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4029. Section 4029.

(a) “Hospital pharmacy” means and includes a pharmacy, licensed by the board, located within any licensed hospital, institution, or establishment that maintains and operates organized facilities for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illnesses to which persons may be admitted for overnight stay and that meets all of the requirements of this chapter and the rules and regulations of the board. (b) A hospital pharmacy may include a pharmacy that is located in any physical plant that is regulated under the license of a general acute care hospital as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code. As a condition of licensure by the board, the pharmacy in another physical plant shall provide pharmaceutical services only to registered hospital patients who are on the premises of the same physical plant in which the pharmacy is located, except as provided in Article 7.6 (commencing with Section 4128). The pharmacy services provided shall be directly related to the services or treatment plan administered in the physical plant. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to restrict or expand the services that a hospital pharmacy may provide. (c) “Hospital satellite compounding pharmacy” means an area licensed by the board to perform sterile compounding that is separately licensed by the board pursuant to Section 4127.15 to perform that compounding and is located outside of the hospital in another physical plant that is regulated as a general acute care hospital as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4031. Section 4031.

“Laboratory” means a research, teaching, or testing laboratory not engaged in the dispensing or furnishing of drugs or devices but using dangerous drugs or dangerous devices for scientific or teaching purposes. Every laboratory shall maintain an established place of business and keep purchase records. Every laboratory shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the board.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4033. Section 4033.

(a) (1) “Manufacturer” means and includes every person who prepares, derives, produces, compounds, or repackages any drug or device except a pharmacy that manufactures on the immediate premises where the drug or device is sold to the ultimate consumer. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), “manufacturer” shall not mean a pharmacy compounding a drug for parenteral therapy, pursuant to a prescription, for delivery to another pharmacy for the purpose of delivering or administering the drug to the patient or patients named in the prescription, provided that neither the components for the drug nor the drug are compounded, fabricated, packaged, or otherwise prepared prior to receipt of the prescription. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), “manufacturer” shall not mean a pharmacy that, at a patient’s request, repackages a drug previously dispensed to the patient, or to the patient’s agent, pursuant to a prescription. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), “manufacturer” also means a person who prepares, derives, manufactures, produces, or repackages a dangerous drug, as defined in Section 4022, device, or cosmetic. Manufacturer also means the holder or holders of a New Drug Application (NDA), an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA), or a Biologics License Application (BLA), provided that such application has been approved; a private label distributor (including colicensed partners) for whom the private label distributor’s prescription drugs are originally manufactured and labeled for the distributor and have not been repackaged; or the distributor agent for the manufacturer, contract manufacturer, or private label distributor, whether the establishment is a member of the manufacturer’s affiliated group (regardless of whether the member takes title to the drug) or is a contract distributor site.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4034. Section 4034.

“Outsourcing facility” means a facility that meets all of the following: (a) Is located within the United States of America at one address that is engaged in the compounding of sterile drugs and nonsterile drugs. (b) Has registered as an outsourcing facility with the federal Food and Drug Administration under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Sec. 353b). (c) Is doing business within or into California. (d) Is licensed with the board as an outsourcing facility pursuant to Article 7.7 (commencing with Section 4129).

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4034.5. Section 4034.5.

An “emergency medical services automated drug delivery system” or “EMSADDS” means an automated drug delivery system that stores and distributes drugs for the sole purpose of restocking a secured emergency pharmaceutical supplies container that is used by an emergency medical services agency to provide emergency medical services.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4036. Section 4036.

“Pharmacist” means a natural person to whom a license has been issued by the board, under Section 4200, except as specifically provided otherwise in this chapter. The holder of an unexpired and active pharmacist license issued by the board is entitled to practice pharmacy as defined by this chapter, within or outside of a licensed pharmacy.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4036.5. Section 4036.5.

“Pharmacist-in-charge” means a pharmacist proposed by a pharmacy and approved by the board as the supervisor or manager responsible for ensuring the pharmacy’s compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4037. Section 4037.

(a) “Pharmacy” means an area, place, or premises licensed by the board in which the profession of pharmacist is practiced and where prescriptions are compounded. “Pharmacy” includes, but is not limited to, any area, place, or premises described in a license issued by the board wherein controlled substances, dangerous drugs, or dangerous devices are stored, possessed, prepared, manufactured, derived, compounded, or repackaged, and from which the controlled substances, dangerous drugs, or dangerous devices are furnished, sold, or dispensed at retail. (b) “Pharmacy” shall not include any area in a facility licensed by the State Department of Public Health where floor supplies, ward supplies, operating room supplies, or emergency room supplies of dangerous drugs or dangerous devices are stored or possessed solely for treatment of patients registered for treatment in the facility or for treatment of patients receiving emergency care in the facility.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4038. Section 4038.

(a) “Pharmacy technician” means an individual who assists a pharmacist in a pharmacy in the performance of their pharmacy related duties, as specified in Section 4115. (b) A “pharmacy technician trainee” is a person who is enrolled in a pharmacy technician training program operated by a California public postsecondary education institution or by a private postsecondary vocational institution approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education or an accredited employer-based pharmacy technician training program.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4039. Section 4039.

“Physicians,” “dentists,” “optometrists,” “pharmacists,” “doctors of podiatric medicine,” “veterinarians,” “veterinary surgeons,” “registered nurses,” “naturopathic doctors,” and “physician assistants” are persons authorized by a currently valid and unrevoked license to practice their respective professions in this state. “Physician” means and includes any person holding a valid and unrevoked physician’s and surgeon’s certificate or certificate to practice medicine and surgery, issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, and includes an unlicensed person lawfully practicing medicine pursuant to Section 2065, when acting within the scope of that section.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4040. Section 4040.

(a) “Prescription” means an oral, written, or electronic transmission order that is both of the following: (1) Given individually for the person or persons for whom ordered that includes all of the following: (A) The name or names and address of the patient or patients. (B) The name and quantity of the drug or device prescribed and the directions for use. (C) The date of issue. (D) Either rubber stamped, typed, or printed by hand or typeset, the name, address, and telephone number of the prescriber, the prescriber’s license classification, and the prescriber’s federal registry number, if a controlled substance is prescribed. (E) A legible, clear notice of the condition or purpose for which the drug is being prescribed, if requested by the patient or patients. (F) If in writing, signed by the prescriber issuing the order, or the certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or naturopathic doctor who issues a drug order pursuant to Section 2746.51, 2836.1, 3502.1, or 3640.5, respectively, or the pharmacist who issues a drug order pursuant to Section 4052, 4052.1, 4052.2, or 4052.6. (2) Issued by a physician, dentist, optometrist, doctor of podiatric medicine, veterinarian, nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to Section 2837.103 or 2837.104, or naturopathic doctor pursuant to Section 3640.7 or, if a drug order is issued pursuant to Section 2746.51, 2836.1, 3502.1, or 3460.5, by a certified nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or naturopathic doctor licensed in this state, or pursuant to Section 4052, 4052.1, 4052.2, or 4052.6 by a pharmacist licensed in this state. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a written order of the prescriber for a dangerous drug, except for any Schedule II controlled substance, that contains at least the name and signature of the prescriber, the name and address of the patient in a manner consistent with paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code, the name and quantity of the drug prescribed, directions for use, and the date of issue may be treated as a prescription by the dispensing pharmacist as long as any additional information required by subdivision (a) is readily retrievable in the pharmacy. In the event of a conflict between this subdivision and Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code, Section 11164 of the Health and Safety Code shall prevail. (c) “Electronic transmission prescription” includes both image and data prescriptions. “Electronic image transmission prescription” means any prescription order for which a facsimile of the order is received by a pharmacy from a licensed prescriber. “Electronic data transmission prescription” means any prescription order, other than an electronic image transmission prescription, that is electronically transmitted from a licensed prescriber to a pharmacy. (d) The use of commonly used abbreviations shall not invalidate an otherwise valid prescription.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4040.5. Section 4040.5.

“Reverse distributor” means every person who acts as an agent for pharmacies, drug wholesalers, third-party logistics providers, manufacturers, and other entities by receiving, inventorying, warehousing, and managing the disposition of outdated or nonsaleable dangerous drugs or dangerous devices.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4040.6. Section 4040.6.

“Self-assessment process” means the process of self-evaluation of a facility’s compliance with state and federal laws as a means to promote compliance through self-examination and education. The self-assessment process shall be performed on a form approved by the board in consultation with stakeholders and posted on its internet website.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4041. Section 4041.

“Veterinary food-animal drug retailer” is an area, place, or premises, other than a pharmacy, that holds a valid license from the Board of Pharmacy of the State of California as a wholesaler and, in and from which veterinary drugs for food-producing animals are dispensed pursuant to a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. “Veterinary food-animal retailer” includes, but is not limited to, any area, place, or premises described in a permit issued by the board wherein veterinary food-animal drugs, as defined in Section 4042, are stored, possessed, or repackaged, and from which veterinary drugs are furnished, sold, or dispensed at retail pursuant to a prescription from a licensed veterinarian.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4042. Section 4042.

“Veterinary food-animal drugs” as used in this chapter shall include the following: (a) Any drug to be used in food-producing animals bearing the legend, “Caution, federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian” or words of similar import. (b) Any other drug as defined in Section 14206 of the Food and Agricultural Code that is used in a manner that would require a veterinary prescription.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4043. Section 4043.

“Wholesaler” means and includes a person who acts as a wholesale merchant, broker, jobber, customs broker, reverse distributor, agent, or a nonresident wholesaler, who sells for resale, or negotiates for distribution, or takes possession of, any drug or device included in Section 4022. Unless otherwise authorized by law, a wholesaler may not store, warehouse, or authorize the storage or warehousing of drugs with any person or at any location not licensed by the board.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4044. Section 4044.

“Repackager” means a person or entity that is registered with the federal Food and Drug Administration as a repackager and operates an establishment that packages finished drugs from bulk or that repackages dangerous drugs into different containers, excluding shipping containers.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4044.3. Section 4044.3.

(a) “Remote dispensing site pharmacy” means a licensed pharmacy located in this state that is exclusively overseen and operated by a supervising pharmacy and staffed by one or more qualified registered pharmacy technicians, as defined in Section 4132, where pharmaceutical care services, including, but not limited to, the storage and dispensing of prescription drugs and controlled substances, drug regimen review, and patient counseling, are remotely monitored or provided, or both, by a licensed pharmacist through the use of telepharmacy technology. (b) Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, a remote dispensing site pharmacy shall comply with all state and federal laws regulating the practice of pharmacy.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4044.5. Section 4044.5.

“Reverse third-party logistics provider” means an entity that processes or manages the disposition of an outdated or nonsaleable dangerous drug or dangerous device on behalf of a manufacturer, wholesaler, or dispenser of the dangerous drug or dangerous device, but does not take ownership of the dangerous drug or dangerous device nor have the responsibility to direct its sale or disposition. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, every provision of this chapter that applies to a third-party logistics provider shall also apply to a reverse third-party logistics provider.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4044.6. Section 4044.6.

(a) “Supervising pharmacy” means a licensed pharmacy located in this state that is owned and operated by a person or persons where the majority of the beneficial interest in, as well as the management and control, resides with at least one board-licensed pharmacist, as defined in Section 4036, that exclusively oversees the operations of a remote dispensing site pharmacy. (b) A supervising pharmacy shall be exclusively responsible for the operation of the remote dispensing site pharmacy and its employees pursuant to Section 4131.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4044.7. Section 4044.7.

“Telepharmacy” means a system that is used by a supervising pharmacy for the purpose of monitoring the dispensing of prescription drugs by a remote dispensing site pharmacy and provides for related drug regimen review and patient counseling by an electronic method, including, but not limited to, the use of audio, visual, still image capture, and store and forward technology.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4045. Section 4045.

“Third-party logistics provider” means an entity that provides or coordinates warehousing or other logistics services for a dangerous drug or dangerous device in intrastate or interstate commerce on behalf of a manufacturer, wholesaler, or dispenser of the dangerous drug or dangerous device, but does not take ownership of the dangerous drug or dangerous device, nor have responsibility to direct its sale or disposition.

Cal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 4046. Section 4046.

“Surplus medication collection and distribution intermediary” means a firm, association, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, state governmental agency, or political subdivision that performs the functions specified in Section 4169.5 for the purpose of a program established pursuant to Division 116 (commencing with Section 150200) of the Health and Safety Code.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

Starting a business in California? California LLC guide: costs and requirements