Most states require that pharmacists who administer vaccinations complete a special certificate program, usually the American Pharmacists Association’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program.
Other certification is not required, but could make employers more likely to hire you or offer you a higher salary.
You may be eligible for a variety of independent certifications designed to inform and equip you in a specific area or topic. Most certifications are available to a variety of health care professionals, not just pharmacists. Some of these certifications include a course of study, but many are just exams. To prepare, you will need to seek out a course of study elsewhere or educate yourself in the topics outlined in the examination handbook. Examples include:
- Certified Anticoagulation Care Provider (CACP) from the National Certification Board for Anticoagulation Providers (NCBAP)
- Asthma Educator Specialist (AE-C) from the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC)
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) from the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE)
- HIV Specialist (AAHIVS), HIV Expert (AAHIVE), or HIV Pharmacist (AAHIVP) from the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM)
- Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) from the National Board of Nutrition Support Certification Inc. (NBNSC)
- Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) from the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
Licensed pharmacists may also pursue specialty board certification through the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. A specialty board certification is considered the highest standard in the pharmacy profession. There are 14 board-recognized specialties.
