Frequently Asked Questions

Apexus Advanced 340B Certificate Program Frequently Asked Questions

What does the certificate program cost?

The Certificate Program costs $750 for covered entities and $1,250 for non-covered entities.

Is a discount available?

Members of these associations are eligible for a $100 discount off the program enrollment fee: Alliance for Integrated Medication Management (AIMM), America’s Essential Hospitals (AEH), American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). Additional information is available on the 340B Certificate Program page. Discounts must be entered at checkout and are not valid on previous purchases.

When and how do I pay for the program?

After you pass the Operations Certificate entrance exam, you will receive an email with directions on how to register and pay. Payment is by credit card. Payments are due in full at the time of enrollment.

How can I explain the value of the program to my supervisor to gain approval to cover the cost of enrolling?

An Enrollment Justification Letter template is available to help you communicate the value of the program.

How long are the modules and the full curriculum?

There are 24 modules, each module averaging 1 hour and 30 minutes. But they can vary in length from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the subject matter. The full curriculum is about 40 hours of education. An additional update module is added to the curriculum as a tool to recertify.

How do I enroll?

To access the Operations Certificate Entrance exam, go to the Apexus Education Portal. Register for the portal or log in with your Apexus Education credentials (the same username and password is used to log in for all Apexus online education). Once in the portal, go to the Catalog and enroll in the Operations Certificate Entrance Exam. Upon passing the Operations Certificate Entrance Exam, you will receive an email stating you passed. The email will include a link to register and pay for the certificate program with the following instructions:

1. Select the Operations Certificate from the Course Catalog.
2. Process payment.
3. Take the Operations Certificate Baseline Exam (this score does not count).
4. Begin the modules when you are ready.

Additional information about the registration can be found in the Resources section of this site.

What should I do to prepare for the entrance exam?

You do not need any prior enrollment in Apexus education offering(s) to enter the Certificate Program. However, you can attend a 340B University in person or watch the 340B University OnDemand modules available on the 340B Prime Vendor Program website. This education does serve as a building block to help prepare you for the Operations Certificate Entrance Exam.

I've heard the program is very challenging. Is that true?

Yes, the program is challenging. The program is advanced, covers the topics in depth, and gives you the opportunity to gain true 340B expertise. The modules bridge the gaps between policy and operations while teaching the advanced skills needed for even the toughest implementation challenges.

Is there a time limit for completing the modules?

There is no time limit for completing the curriculum and no limit on how many times you can view the modules. You have one year from the time of completion of the last module to take the Operations Certificate Final Exam and receive the certificate; if you do not take the exam with a year, you must re-register for the Certificate Program.

How long does it take learners to complete the program?

On average, it takes learners three to six months to complete the program.

How do I join the private LinkedIn group?

You will receive an email with instructions for joining the private LinkedIn group after you enroll in the Certificate Program. The LinkedIn group allows you to connect with other learners and 340B experts.

What is the Update Module about?

The update module, “ 340B Trends & Hot Topics,” provides the most current information on 340B Program trends, best practices, and program updates. 340B program policy and guidelines are constantly changing and thus, so do standard industry practices. The new module aims to prepare learners for these changes by informing them about the latest innovations. The recertification exam is based on the update module.

How do I recertify?

It’s an easy, four-step process to maintain your ACE certification:

1. Select the 340B Trends & Hot Topics module and recertification exam in the course catalog in the Apexus Education Portal.
2. Make your $200 payment.
3. View the module.
4. Take the exam.

60 days prior to your certificate expiration date, the recertification exam will appear in your Apexus Education Portal. ACEs whose certificate is about to expire will have 60 days from the release of the exam to pass the exam. If you do not pass within that period, you will lose ACE status. All learners due to recertify will be notified via email when the exam is available and receive reminder emails.

Why do I need the 340B Trends & Hot Topics Module and the Recertification Exam?

The module and the recertification exam are intended to allow ACEs who are due to recertify to maintain their valuable expert status for another two years. The recertification exam is based on the content contained in the update module.

Why should I recertify?

ACE certification is the industry standard to validate 340B knowledge expertise, as many covered entities and consulting firms are adding it to their job descriptions as a requirement for 340B-related positions. Recertifying as an ACE not only benefits the organization you represent, but it’s also critical for your own career advancement.

Can I get Continuing Education (CE) credit?

Yes, 33.25 hours of continuing education (CE) credit is now available to new learners who complete the full curriculum. The latest update module, 340B Trends & Hot Topics, offers an additional 1.5 hours of CE credit. You do not have to complete the entire curriculum to start receiving credit. Note that retroactive credit is not available. The CE registration codes are accessible at the end of each module.

What does the module and recertification exam cost?

The total cost of the recertification exam and module is $200.

Any association discounts available?

There are no association discounts for the 340B Trends & Hot Topics module or the recertification exam.

What happens if I don't pass the recertification exam the first time?

You can take the recertification exam up to three times. If you do not pass on the third attempt, you must re-enroll in the update module and pay the $200 fee. After purchasing the course, you will get an additional three attempts to successfully pass the recertification exam.

What happens if I allow my certification exam to expire?

If you do not complete the recertification exam within the 60-day time frame and your ACE certificate expires, you will lose your ACE designation, be removed from the public certificate database, as well as lose access to the 340B Operations Certificate curriculum. You will need to re-enroll in the Advanced 340B Operations Certificate Program, and pay the full cost of the course to regain access to the program.

Where can I find more information about the program?

You can obtain further information about the Certificate Program in the Resources section of this website.

Whom can I contact if I need help?

Call 888.340.2787 for more information or with questions about the program.

The Advanced 340B Operations Certificate Program is a separate Apexus offering that is not a part of the 340B Prime Vendor Program or otherwise associated with the Prime Vendor Agreement between HRSA and Apexus.

The program is provided solely for education and/or instructional purposes, and the learner assumes exclusive responsibility for using and applying the information presented therein. Successful completion of the program does not confer a professional license or other equivalent designation or qualification on the learner.

Passing score thresholds are subject to change.