Injection Training Requirements and Courses for Pharmacists
For the purposes of this information, where the term “pharmacist” is used, it is inclusive of emergency assignment (EA) pharmacists and interns, and subject to any terms, conditions, and limitations on their certificates of registration. Where this is not the case, it will be clearly identified.
To administer injections in Ontario, pharmacists must:
- Successfully complete an OCP-approved course for pharmacist injection education
- Maintain valid certification in CPR and First Aid equivalent to St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C
- Register their training with the College
OCP-Approved Courses for Pharmacists
OCP-approved courses have obtained CCCEP competency-mapped accreditation, which addresses the 15 competencies for pharmacist injection education, as approved by the OCP Board. If a registrant has completed an injection course that is not currently listed, it is the registrant’s responsibility to verify with the course provider that their course meets these requirements.
Injection training may also be completed as part of the curriculum of a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy education program. It is the registrant’s responsibility to verify that their program is CCAPP-accredited.
Injection Training Requirements and Courses for Pharmacy Technicians
For the purposes of this information, where the term “pharmacy technician” is used, it is inclusive of emergency assignment (EA) pharmacy technicians and intern technicians, and subject to any terms, conditions, and limitations on their certificates of registration. Where this is not the case, it will be clearly identified.
To administer injections in Ontario, pharmacy technicians must:
- Successfully complete an OCP-approved course for pharmacy technician injection education
- Register their training with the College
- As of March 31, 2027, maintain valid certification in CPR and First Aid equivalent to St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C. Before March 31, 2027, pharmacy technicians can only administer vaccines under the supervision of a pharmacist or another healthcare professional who has CPR and first aid certification.
OCP-Approved Courses for Pharmacy Technicians
OCP-approved courses have obtained CCCEP accreditation and address the 7 competencies for pharmacy technician injection education.
Out-of-Province Training
OCP recognizes injection authority granted by another pharmacy regulatory body in Canada, as injection training in other provinces and territories addresses the same 15 competencies for pharmacist injection education that were approved by the OCP Board.
View a full listing of all current Canadian CCCEP competency-mapped accredited courses. If a registrant has completed an injection course that is not listed, it is the registrant’s responsibility to verify with the course provider that their course meets these requirements.
Register Injection Training with the College
Pharmacists, interns, pharmacy technicians, and intern technicians administering injections must register their injection training with the College. Follow these steps to register your injection training:
- Log into your OCP account using your user ID (OCP number) and password
- Click on the “Authorized Training” menu option
- Click “here” link to open the Training Page
- Click “Add New” button
- Select “Injection Training” from the list of training option(s)
- Click the “I Agree” button to acknowledge declaration of training
Once injection training is registered, it appears on the registrant’s public register record in the Find a Pharmacy or Pharmacy Professional tool. This is a self-declaration and there is no requirement to submit documentation to the College; however, registrants should retain supporting documentation in a readily retrievable manner, such as in their Learning Portfolio.
For assistance with registering your training, please contact [email protected].
First Aid & CPR Training Requirements
For the purposes of this information, where the term “pharmacist” is used, it is inclusive of emergency assignment (EA) pharmacists and interns, and where the term “pharmacy technician” is used, it is inclusive of EA pharmacy technicians and intern technicians, and subject to any terms, conditions, and limitations on their certificates of registration. Where this is not the case, it will be clearly identified.
As a Standard of Practice
The NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists expects pharmacists who provide patient care to maintain valid certification in first aid and CPR, at a level equivalent to the St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C.
As self-regulated health professionals, individual pharmacists are responsible for determining whether this standard applies to the nature of patient care being provided in the specific working environment. Pharmacists should apply professional judgment to make this determination with the best interest, benefit, and safety of the patient considered first and foremost.
The NAPRA Models Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians (2011) do not include first aid and CPR training as a requirement.
As a Requirement for Administering Injections
The College requires pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to have valid certification in first aid and CPR, at a level equivalent to the St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C to administer a substance by injection.
To register your injection training with the College, you must acknowledge completion of the required first aid & CPR training. This is a self-declaration and there is no requirement to submit documentation to the College. Pharmacy professionals should retain supporting documentation in a readily retrievable manner.
When administering a publicly funded vaccine, pharmacy professionals should follow any additional First Aid and CPR requirements established by the Ministry of Health.
Approved Course Providers
The College does not specify or endorse a particular CPR & first aid course provider. It is the responsibility of the registrant to ensure the course taken is equivalent to the St. John Ambulance or Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C by consulting with the course provider directly. The course provider also stipulates the expiration date and recertification parameters. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario (WSIB) maintains a list of providers approved by the WSIB to deliver Standard First Aid.