What is the difference between a Certificate and a Certification?

Many people think that earning a certificate is the same thing as a certification. However, there is a big difference between the two.

Certificate Programs are practice-based continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activities that impart knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance behaviors designed to meet specific pharmacy practice objectives. After successful completion of assessments, there may be a certificate of achievement.

Certification is the process by which a non-governmental agency, such as a professional association, grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications, that includes an experience and education component and requires passing an exam. It allows a practitioner to put letters after his or her name (ie, BCACP, BCNP), and validates that the pharmacist has the advanced knowledge and experience to optimize patient outcomes. In addition, certification requires recertification, which ensures that practitioners stay current in their field through continuing education. The successful completion of one or more Practice-based CPE activities may be among the requirements for certification or re-certification, as determined by the organization granting certification.