BOP

Abbreviation with 4 meanings

BOP
Stands forFederal Bureau of Prisons
Meanings4
CategoriesLaw & Legal, Business & Finance, Medical
Also writtenBoP

BOP has four meanings. The most common are Federal Bureau of Prisons (criminal law) and Balance of payments (economics); it can also stand for Business owner's policy and Board of pharmacy.

Meanings of BOP at a glance

#BOP stands forContext
1Federal Bureau of PrisonsLaw & Legal › Criminal Law
2Balance of paymentsBusiness & Finance › Economics
3Business owner's policyBusiness & Finance › Insurance
4Board of pharmacyMedical › Pharmacy

1. Federal Bureau of Prisons

Law & Legal · Criminal Law Abbreviations · also used in government

Agency within the US Department of Justice, created in 1930, that operates federal prisons and detention centers and contracts for halfway houses for people convicted of federal crimes or held awaiting trial. It handles inmate classification, programs, medical care and release planning.

Example: After sentencing, the defendant was designated by the BOP to a low-security facility in Texas.

Each inmate receives a BOP register number, and the public can look up current inmates online. The Bureau calculates release dates, including good conduct time and First Step Act credits, and runs programs such as RDAP. Its facilities range from minimum-security camps to the ADX supermax in Florence, Colorado.

2. Balance of payments (BoP)

Business & Finance · Economics Abbreviations

Record of all economic transactions between a country's residents and the rest of the world over a period, made up of the current account (trade, income and transfers), the capital account and the financial account. In principle the accounts sum to zero.

Example: The BoP data show a widening current account deficit financed by foreign purchases of government bonds.

The International Monetary Fund's Balance of Payments Manual sets the standard methodology. A "balance-of-payments crisis" occurs when a country cannot finance its external obligations, often forcing a devaluation or IMF program, as in Mexico in 1994 and East Asia in 1997. An errors-and-omissions line reconciles the accounts.

3. Business owner's policy

Business & Finance · Insurance Abbreviations

Package policy for small and midsize businesses that bundles commercial property, general liability and business income coverage into one policy, usually at a lower price than buying each separately.

Example: The bakery's BOP covers the ovens, the building contents and a customer slip-and-fall.

Insurers set eligibility by size and industry; restaurants, offices and retail shops commonly qualify, while high-risk businesses may not. A BOP does not include workers' compensation, commercial auto or professional liability, which must be bought separately.

4. Board of pharmacy

Medical · Pharmacy Abbreviations

State government agency that licenses and disciplines pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies, sets practice rules and inspects facilities to protect the public.

Example: Report the diversion to the DEA and the state BOP within one business day.

Each US state has its own board, so rules on technician ratios, immunizations, prescribing authority and compounding differ by state. Boards coordinate through NABP. Board members typically include practicing pharmacists and public members appointed by the governor.

More criminal law abbreviations

  • ACD – Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal
  • ADW – Assault with a deadly weapon
  • ARD – Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
  • B&E – Breaking and entering
  • BW – Bench warrant
  • CDS – Controlled dangerous substance
  • CI – Confidential informant
  • CO – Correctional officer

See all 46 criminal law abbreviations →

More economics abbreviations

  • AVC – Average variable cost
  • BoC – Bank of Canada
  • BoE – Bank of England
  • BoJ – Bank of Japan
  • BOT – Balance of trade
  • BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
  • CAD – Current account deficit
  • CBA – Cost-benefit analysis

See all 81 economics abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical or legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.