Frequently Asked Questions about Certificate Training Programs
General Certificate Training Program Questions
Past or Current Participants
Licensing
General Certificate Training Program Questions
What
are certificate training programs?
As defined by ACPE in their
certificate
training program standards, “certificate Programs in Pharmacy
are structured and systematic post-graduate continuing education
experiences for pharmacists that are generally smaller in magnitude and
shorter in time than degree programs, and that impart knowledge, skills,
attitudes, and performance behaviors designed to meet specific pharmacy
practice objectives. In comparison to other forms of continuing
[pharmacy] education, Certificate Programs in Pharmacy are designed to
instill, expand, or enhance practice competencies through the systematic
acquisition of specified knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance
behaviors.”
What is the difference between certificate
training programs and certification?
Certificate Programs
in Pharmacy are structured and systematic post-graduate continuing
education experiences for pharmacists that are generally smaller in
magnitude and shorter in time than degree programs, and that impart
knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance behaviors designed to meet
specific pharmacy practice objectives. In comparison to other forms of
continuing pharmaceutical education, Certificate Programs in Pharmacy
are designed to instill, expand, or enhance practice competencies
through the systematic acquisition of specified knowledge, skills,
attitudes, and performance behaviors.
Certificate Programs are to be distinguished from certification and
licensure, which give recognition to an individual and have different
purposes and meanings. Certification is the process by which a
non-governmental agency, such as a professional association, grants
recognition, following assessment, to an individual who has met certain
predetermined qualifications specified by that organization. The formal
recognition of certification is granted to an individual to designate to
the public that this person is competent to practice in the designated
area of certification. The successful completion of one or more
Certificate Programs in Pharmacy may be among the requirements for
certification or re-certification, as determined by the organization
granting certification.
Board Certification: The process by which a person is tested and
approved to practice in a specialty field, especially medicine, after
successfully completing the requirements of a board of specialists in
that field.
What is the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education?
The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) is the national
agency for the accreditation of professional degree programs in pharmacy
and providers of continuing pharmacy education. ACPE was established in
1932 for the accreditation of preservice education, and in 1975 its
scope of activity was broadened to include accreditation of providers of
continuing pharmacy education.
When is
the next certificate training program in my area?
Open-enrollment
offerings of certificate training programs are available annually at
the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition. In addition, special offerings
of the programs may be scheduled in various locations from time to
time.
Many APhA certificate training programs are also offered under
license agreements with other organizations, such as state pharmacy
associations, colleges and universities, and pharmacy chains. These
programs are often available for enrollment by local pharmacists. If you
are interested in locating a program in your area, please contact the
Certificate Training Department by e-mailing ctp@aphanet.org or calling
202-429-7512.
How can I find
more information about specific certificate training programs?
If you cannot find the information you are looking for or if you are
looking for more specific information on a program, please e-mail ctp@aphanet.org.
Past or Current Participants
I signed up for a
program. When will I get my self-study materials?
Self-study materials are usually sent 30 days before the program date.
Check with a program coordinator to see if this material has been mailed
to you.
How soon after I
complete the program will I receive a certificate or a CE statement of
credit?
APhA typically sends out certificates of achievement and continuing
education 30 to 45 days after the completion of the program.
How long is a
certificate good for?
Certificates of achievement do not have an expiration date. Please
contact your state board for more information about requirements in your
specific state.
How can I get a
reissued copy of my certificate of achievement?
If you lost your certificate of achievement and would like to request a
reprint, you may download
this form and follow the mailing instructions at the top. There
is a $25.00 administrative fee for reprints of certificates that date
back more than a year from today’s date.
I lost my CE
statement from a program I previously attended and need to obtain
another copy. What can I do?
First, go to pharmacist.com to view
a CE transcript of programs you have participated in with APhA. If you
require an official statement, one can be sent to you in the mail.
Please contact our Education Program Assistant at 202-628-4410 ex. 7592
for more information.
Licensing
What is a
licensed partner?
A license partner is typically an association, university, or community
chain pharmacy that has licensed the use of a certificate training
program from APhA for purposes of training their own audiences. The
content for such licensed programs is provided and maintained by APhA,
while the program offerings are administered and delivered by the
license partner. APhA provides training to license partner faculty.
How can I
become a licensed partner?
To become a license partner,
organizations typically must commit to training at least 30 pharmacists
or pharmacy students per year and must agree to maintain a panel of
trained faculty. For more information on becoming a license partner,
e-mail ctp@aphanet.org. Be sure to
include your full contact information and affiliation.
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