Certificate Programs

A certificate program provides the pharmacist with an in-depth program of study in a specific area of pharmacy practice.  Upon completion of a certificate program, the pharmacist receives a certificate of completion in a specific area of practice expertise as well as to further develop therapeutic knowledge and clinical skills.  As such, certificate programs generally do not certify that a person is competent in a specific area of practice.

Certification

Certification is a process where a pharmacist becomes certified in a specialty area of pharmacy practice, e.g., pharmacotherapy, nuclear pharmacy, nutritional support.  The Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties is the nationally recognized organization that certifies competency of pharmacists by having them pass a written exam offer the specialty area.