Drug Administration Certification (DAC)

Pharmacists with valid drug administration certification (DAC) may administer any Schedule I, IA, and II drugs, including controlled drugs by injection and intranasal route, with the exception of cosmetic drugs and substances, and allergy serums. The drugs must be administered in accordance with “Schedule E.4 - Practice Standards: Drug Administration” of the HPOA bylaws.

Eligibility for DAC

You are eligible for DAC if you meet the following criteria:

You are licenced as a full pharmacist, student pharmacist, or provisional pharmacist,
You completed a CCCEP-accredited drug administration training program within the last year, as listed in Schedule C, or you hold valid DAC in another province at the time of applying, and
You have valid first aid & CPR certification from a recognised training provider.
- Recognized providers include St. John Ambulance, Canadian Red Cross, Lifesaving Society, EMP Canada, and the Academy of Emergency Training. Other providers will be reviewed by the College before being accepted.
- Online courses without an in-class training component are not acceptable.
- The course must provide certification in both first aid and CPR. A standalone CPR course is not acceptable.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the course meets your competence and practice needs.

Before applying, you must also read and understand Schedule E.4 - Practice Standards: Drug Administration of the HPOA bylaws. You will be required to declare this in your application.

Submit your DAC Application

Log into eServices and select "Apply for DAC"
Upload the following documents:
- Drug administration training course certificate
- Valid First aid & CPR certificate
Allow 5 business days for CPBC to review your application. If additional information is required, you will be notified by email
When your submissions are approved, you will not be notified by email, but you will be prompted to proceed with payment when you log back into your application
Pay the DAC application fee
You will receive an email the next day confirming that your DAC is granted, and you may begin administering drugs.

After your DAC is granted, your DAC status will appear on the Find a Pharmacy or Licensee list, and your licence card.

Intranasal Administration Online Module (If Applicable)
Licensees who have not administered drugs by intranasal route in the preceding 3 years must complete the Intranasal Administration Online Module. For new applicants from other provinces, if you completed a DAC course that did not include an intranasal training component, you must complete the module.

Maintaining DAC

Valid First Aid & CPR Certification
You must maintain valid first aid & CPR certification at all times. If it expires, your DAC is invalidated and you must stop administering drugs. Notify the Professional Licensing team via email at [email protected]. You may be able to recertify your DAC after you have updated your first aid & CPR certification (see below).

Renewing DAC
You must declare whether you meet the DAC renewal requirements when completing your licence renewal application.

In the preceding three years, I have:

Administered a drug via injection route or successfully completed a continuing education program in drug administration as recognized under Schedule C of the HPOA bylaws
Administered a drug via intranasal route or successfully completed the Intranasal Administration Online Module as specified in the HPOA bylaws; and
Maintained valid First Aid and CPR certification as specified under the HPOA bylaws.

If you are unable to declare all of the above criteria, you must stop administering immediately. Your DAC will become invalid, but you may be eligible for recertification when all the requirements are met.

Recertifying DAC
If you no longer meet the requirements to maintain your DAC, email the Professional Licensing Team at [email protected] to determine if you are eligible for recertification.