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Authorization to administer drugs by injection

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A clinical pharmacist may only administer a drug by injection if they have been granted this authorization.

Follow these steps to obtain authorization to administer drugs by injection:

  1. Meet the prerequisites for the authorization.
    1. You must be registered on the ACP clinical pharmacist register.
    2. You must complete training that demonstrates at least one of the following:
      • Within the last 12 months, you have successfully completed a Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP) competency-mapped accredited immunization and injection program. Be prepared to provide the completion certificate in PDF format as part of step 2.
      • Within the last six months, you have graduated from a Canadian Council for Accredited Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accredited Canadian pharmacy program that included an injection training program as part of its curriculum. Be prepared to provide your university degree and your completion certificate for the injection training program in PDF format as part of step 2.
      • You are currently registered as a practising pharmacist in a Canadian jurisdiction where you are also currently holding authorization to administer drugs by injection. Be prepared to provide your letter of standing from the Canadian jurisdiction in PDF format as part of step 2.
    3. You must have current and valid CPR certification (level C or HCP).
      • Your certificate must be level C or HCP. Level B will not be accepted.
      • You must attend an in-person or blended course. Courses delivered solely online are not acceptable.
      • The course must be offered, and taken, in Canada. Examples of accepted courses include St. John’s, Red Cross, Heart and Stroke Foundation (Healthcare and Basic Life Support), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
    4. You must have current and valid First Aid certification. 
      • You must attend an in-person or blended course. Courses delivered solely online are not acceptable.
      • The course must be offered, and taken, in Canada.
      • Standard or Emergency First Aid is acceptable.
  2. Apply for authorization to administer drugs by injection.
    1. Complete the application for authorization to administer drugs by injection.
    2. Ensure the pre-requisite documentation identified in step 1 are in PDF format.
      • Pre-requisite documentation from step 1 must include
        • proof of current training (e.g., training certificate or letter of standing),
        • proof of current and valid CPR certification, and
        • proof of current and valid First Aid certification.
    3. Access the authorization to administer drugs by injection form (in myACP). You will be required to upload the application and the PDFs from step 2(b) as part of the application process.
  1. Wait for your notification from ACP.
    • ACP will notify you via email once a decision has been made or if we have any questions regarding your application.
    • You may not engage in the restricted activity of administering drugs by injection until your application has been approved by ACP.
  1. Access your practice permit.
    • If the authorization is approved, your practice permit will display the authorization to administer drugs by injection. Your practice permit can be accessed from your myACP profile. 

How do I renew my authorization to administer drugs by injection?

Pharmacists who have been authorized to administer drugs by injection are required to complete a professional declaration annually as part of their registration renewal indicating that they

  • have and will maintain valid CPR (minimum level C) and First Aid certifications;
  • have administered an injection within the past three years;
  • have, within the past 12 months, reviewed the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians; and
  • have in place the required policies and procedures for handling emergencies.

Pharmacists who are unable to complete the professional declaration will have their authorization to administer injections cancelled.

If I have not administered a drug by injection within the last three years, how do I reinstate my authorization to administer drugs by injection if cancelled?

Pharmacists who have not administered an injection within the last three years must re-qualify for the authorization to administer drugs by injection by completing a CCCEP competency-mapped accredited immunization and injection program and completing the application steps above.

If my authorization was cancelled but I have administered a drug by injection within the last three years, how do I reinstate my authorization to administer drugs by injection?

You do not need to redo a CCCEP competency-mapped accredited immunization and injection program. However, you must complete the following application steps:

  1. Complete the application to reinstate your authorization to administer drugs by injection.
  2. Convert the following documentation into PDFs:
    • proof of current and valid CPR certification, and
    • proof of current and valid First Aid certification.
  3. Access the authorization to administer drugs by injection form (in myACP). You will be required to upload the application and the PDFs from the previous step as part of the application process.

ACP will notify you via email once a decision has been made or if we have any questions regarding your application.

You may not engage in the restricted activity of administering drugs by injection until your application has been approved by ACP.

If the authorization is approved, your practice permit will display the authorization to administer drugs by injection. Your practice permit can be accessed from your myACP profile.