Certifications can be a powerful tool to show employers you know your stuff. However, not all certifications are created equal.

We've compiled a list of the most common certifications for pharmaceutical sales representatives. Not only will obtaining these certifications give you a leg up for job hunting, they will also increase your overall value.

4 Best Certifications For Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives

4 Best Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Certifications

1. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)

2. Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)

Being a top marketer means continually enhancing your skills as well as highlighting your accomplishments. The American Marketing Association's Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program gives you a tangible, convenient way to do both. You can earn the PCM designation by passing a comprehensive exam covering the key areas of marketing. Developed with input from hundreds of marketing experts, the PCM program meets strict national professional certification criteria and standards for excellence in marketing.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
American Marketing Association

3. Sales Management

The SIOR designation is a professional achievement for highly qualified commercial real estate practitioners with a strong transactional history in brokerage, fee-based services, or executive management.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? 
Certifying Website
Sales Management
Certifying Organization
Society of Industrial and...

4. Certified Sales Representative (CSR)

For individuals responsible for sale of water quality improvement products.

Certification Details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
  • Renewal Required? Every 3 year(s)
Certifying Organization
Water Quality Association

What is the best certification for a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?

The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) certification is most common among pharmaceutical sales representatives. This certification is awarded by the Manufacturers Representatives Educational Research Foundation. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience. To become a certified pharmaceutical sales representative with Certified Sales Professional (CSP), you need to pass the exam. This certificate requires more than two years of work experience. Renew certification every 3 year.

What are Some of the Most In-Demand Certifications For Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives?

We analyzed online job postings to determine the most commonly asked-for certifications. The most popular certification requirement is Sales Management. By holding this certification, you will gain a more-competitive resume that will look impressive to potential employers.

Best Certifications

Pharmaceutical sales representatives are most likely to hold a combination of the following certifications: Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), and Sales Management.

online courses for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives that you may like

If you are not ready to pass the certification program but still want to improve your skills, these online courses may help.

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1. Sales Operations/Management

coursera

Sales jobs span nearly every industry, from agribusiness and pharmaceuticals, to telecommunications and property management. And essential to sales is the management of the sales force. This course provides the knowledge and know how required for careers in sales management. Students are exposed to all facets of sales management, including organizing, selecting, training, motivating, supervising and compensating the sales force, territory management and administration and sales and expense...

2. Salesforce Sales Development Representative

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If you’ve always wanted a rewarding career, the tech sales industry may be the path for you. If you’re an ambitious problem-solver who likes to win, you’ll find tech sales not only fulfilling, but lucrative as well. As the tech industry continuously introduces innovative services and products, tech sales roles have become more crucial than ever. SDRs are in the front lines of the tech biz, connecting with customers and clients, and coming up with the smartest solutions for their problems. Sales...

3. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups

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4. Pharmaceutical Supply Management

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Focus on Low & Middle income countries. Understand and improve the supply of medicines and medical products...

5. Health After Cancer: Cancer Survivorship for Primary Care

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This course presents basic principles of cancer survivorship to primary-care physicians. Developed by a team of experts in caring for cancer survivors, and narrated by a primary-care physician, this course provides practical tips and tools that can be easily integrated into medical practice. You will learn about the complex physical and psychosocial needs and concerns of the growing number of cancer survivors, along with the key role that primary care physicians have in guiding these patients...

6. HubSpot Sales Representative

coursera

Whether you're completely new to sales and looking to start a new career, or you want to grow in your current sales role, this five-course career training program from the inbound sales experts at HubSpot can help you reach your career goals.\n\nYou’ll start by learning the basics of sales enablement and how sales and marketing teams can collaborate to create and keep relationships with their targeted buyers. You’ll develop data-driven sales goals and influential content to enable you to...

7. The Complete Sales Skills Master Class - Sales Marketing B2B

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Master Sales Skills, Marketing Strategy, B2B Sales, Business Development, Lead Generation Using Top Social Skills...

8. Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups- Sales Valley

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The Complete Startup Playbook for Business Development & B2B Sales to learn Lead Generation, Pitching, & Closing Deals...

9. Effective Sales – An Overview

coursera

Welcome to Strategic Sales Management specialization. This specialization course focus on providing conceptual and practical guidance on sales planning and management. The development of the specialization goes through the different phases of the sales planning process, keeping attention on the connection to the strategy of the company. Concepts discussed in this specialization aim to support the analyses on how to plan sales in alignment with the strategic guidelines of the company. The sales...

10. The Complete B2B Sales Masterclass: 6 Courses in 1

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1. Generate Leads, 2. Pitch, 3. Close & Handle Any Objection: Get Certified in Cutting Edge, Non-Pushy B2B Sales System...

11. Your Guide to the Pharmaceutical Industry

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Learn about the pharma industry quickly - current trends, medicines, healthcare, pharmacy markets & major developments...

12. Sales Machine: The Sales Training B2B Master Course

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Learn Sales Strategies & Sales Techniques to Sell ANYTHING for Entrepreneurs, Startup, B2B Sales, & Business Development...

13. Sales Training: Practical Sales Techniques

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Sales Hacking: Essential sales skills, sales strategies and sales techniques to sell just about anything!...

14. The Pharmaceutical R & D Process in Healthcare

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Learn about clinical trials, drug regulations, biotech products, generics, marketing and more. *Biotech Update! 1/22*...

15. Sales and Marketing For Online Businesses

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A Beginners Guide To Sales & Marketing For Your Online Business And Ventures...

16. Sales Training: How To Close More Sales

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Closing Sales: Sales Training Course: Sales Skills; Selling Techniques; Sales Strategies for B2B, B2C Direct Sales...

17. Sales Skills: 9 Sales Training Courses In 1

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Develop Killer Sales Skills With The Ultimate Sales Training (Taught By 5 Top Sales Experts)...

18. Sales Funnels Masterclass: Increase Sales With Sales Funnels

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Learn to create highly converting sales, conduct professional email marketing & 10X your sales with sales funnel fast!...

19. Basic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

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Learn the good practices that applies to the pharmaceutical industry...

20. LinkedIn Sales Navigator: LinkedIn's tool for B2B Sales

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LinkedIn Sales Navigator best remote practices for the LinkedIn premium service for business development and B2B sales...

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