Certification vs Certificates

A certification or certificate can help you showcase your regulatory affairs knowledge, stand out from your peers and advance your career. Although the terms certificate and certification seem similar, they have different meanings and serve different purposes.

Regulatory Affairs Certifications and Certificates: Which is Right for You?

Read on to learn about RAPS certifications and certificates and discover which one is right for you based on your regulatory affairs career goals.

Certification

A certification allows you to put letters after your name. It validates your regulatory knowledge, skills and abilities through a formal examination process. It also enhances continued competency through a required recertification process.

Earning a certification allows you to position yourself as an expert in your field and can be valuable in your career when it comes to increasing your salary or pursuing a job opportunity. A certification has eligibility requirements based on years of experience and education.

RAPS offers two certifications:

Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC)

RAC-Devices
RAC-Drugs

Regulatory Compliance Certification (RCC)

RCC-MDR
RCC-IVDR

RAPS certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and meets an internationally recognized industry standard.

Assessment-Based Certificate

An assessment-based certificate is an education program combined with an exam that tests if you met the learning objectives. The focus of an assessment-based certificate program is learning and then proving that you have learned the content via a closed-book exam.

Earning an assessment-based certificate shows your peers and employer that you have mastered certain learning objectives. This credential is ideal for those wanting a job in regulatory or are early in their regulatory career.

While you may not add letters after your name, you may list the assessment-based certificate that you have earned to your resume.

RAPS offers the following assessment-based certificates:

Foundation in Regulatory Affairs (FRA)

FRA-Introduction to Medical Devices
FRA-Introduction to Pharmaceuticals

Certificate Program

A certificate shows that you have attended an education program. The focus of a certificate program is learning.

Attending a certificate program allows you to add in-demand skills to your resume and can be relevant at any point in your career.

While you may not add letters after your name, you can list completion of the certificate program to your resume.

RAPS offers the following certificate programs:

Certificates and Digital Badges

Upon completing a certificate program or earning an assessment-based certificate or certification, you will be issued a certificate and/or a digital badge. This provides validation that you attended the learning event or earned the credential. A certificate and/or a digital badge will allow you to proudly display or share your accomplishments.