What exactly does the APSA do?
We administer fully accredited, nationally recognized certification programs for those that want to obtain a Pharmaceutical or Medical Sales Career. We also run non-profit recruiting programs to assist major pharmaceutical companies  to connect with our members throughout the recruiting process. All in all, we help any candidate that wants to break into this field from a beginning-to-end "A-Z" process.

Is this accredited?
Yes. This program has been audited and accredited by multiple four-year colleges and universities. All members have the ability to earn official collegiate credit for completing the program.

What is PharmaLink?
PharmaLink is the leading Non-Profit recruiting system in the pharmaceutical field. It's a system used by a large contingent of District Managers for the purposes of recruiting and hiring for field-based positions. The system is administered in house (APSA built and maintained) and is used directly by pharmaceutical hiring decision makers for NO fee. The system has quickly ascended into a premier means of obtaining Pharmaceutical employment. While the national rate of hire is less than 2%, our membership yields over a 44% hire rate.

What is taught throughout APSA Certification?
Our class covers a "Pre-Hire" and "Post-Hire" curriculum with a complete pharmaceutical sales focus. From interviewing, role-playing and tactical issues to the more "nuts and bolts" of what a rep does such as Physician Detailing Processes, Sampling Procedures, FDA Functions and Laws of Labeling.

Is there a cost involved?
Yes. Cost to attend our program is $180. Online Program cost is $195 (You get a free coupon to attend a live class as well). No membership dues or subscriptions ever have to be paid. There are NO hidden fees.

Are there membership dues?
No. Not of any kind.

How long is the program?
3 hours live. Anywhere from 3 hours to 10 hours online - but you have 30 days to complete the online class.

How many classes are required? Is this a one-time program?
Only one class needs to be attended. There are NO follow-up classes required. You obtain your certification after attending one program.

Is the program a lecture or interactive?
It's both, which makes it unique and effective. The lecture is full of industry-rich content while the role-playing section is fact-based and derived from pharmaceutical companies and District Managers. 

I just missed a local program. What are my options?
We generally run only one or two programs a year in each market. Simply email us and we can look into your particular situation and help you obtain certification. You can also visit our Online Certification section for further details.

Do you post your schedule in advance?
Only about a month in advance, simply because we run programs based on pharmaceutical expansion.

What additional products are available to me as a member?
We offer a wide array of programs including Medical Terminology Courses, Nursing Programs, Teacher-transition programs, Resume Writing, Interview Help Guides and ‘Brag Book’ Consultation.

Can I become a member without attending class?
No. You need to take part in the certification itself. This adds value to the existing membership. We are a member driven organization.

When will you be in my area?
Our schedule is posted roughly 30 days in advance. Since our schedule is run in conjunction with Pharmaceutical expansion, we cannot predict when we will be in certain cities.

How often are programs administered in my area?
Once or twice a year, depending on the market.

Am I guaranteed a job?
No. Almost half of our member-base gets hired into the field, but we would never guarantee a job seeker a position. Anyone or any entity that guarantees you a Pharmaceutical Sales job is probably not giving you the entire story.

What are the class seating limits?
This varies by market. Classes can range from 20 participants to 90. We limit class size by the number of jobs predicted to come through the pipeline in that market.

What should I bring to class?
Note-taking materials and any questions for the trainer.

What is your refund policy?
We give full refunds to anyone that cancels outside of 14 business days of the program. If it is within 14 business days, we can transfer you to our Online Certification as a courtesy. Please click here for our refund policy.

I am middle-aged professional in career transition. Is this right for me?
Definitely. Transitioning into Pharmaceutical Sales is much different than switching into other sectors. This program is proven to work for all career levels.

Do I need a 4-year degree to attend the class?
No. Anyone with a desire to work in the field may attend our program.

Is this a requirement to gain entry into the pharmaceutical industry?
No. Regardless of what people say, there are NO licensures required to become a Pharmaceutical Rep.

Do you offer online programs?
Yes. You can get full certification online through our net-based training engine. You can visit the APSA Online Certification section here.

Do you discuss specific company hiring procedures?
Yes. Our curriculum is derived from our industry Advisory Board, thus we are able to give you insider information that generally cannot be obtained through online means.

Who are some of your partners?
We have many corporate partners and educational alliances & friends. Some include Drug Careers, Inc., Sciencejobs.com, Healthsource, Vanderbilt University Career Services, Tennessee Tech University and hundreds of Pharmaceutical, Medical and Biotech companies.

Who is on your Advisory Board?
Non-Disclosure agreements prohibit us from giving out their names, but our Advisory Board is represented by professionals (both current and retired) from the Top 50 Pharmaceutical companies in the world. Our Advisory Board members are NOT paid monies or gifts.