American College of Apothecaries

What American College of Apothecaries does

The American College of Apothecaries (ACA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1940, headquartered at 2830 Summer Oaks Drive in Bartlett, Tennessee. It serves independent community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy marketers, and student pharmacists through continuing education, hands-on pharmaceutical compounding training, professional fellowship, and advocacy for independent pharmacy practice. Its affiliate, the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP, established 1998), extends the mission into veterinary pharmacy, and Pharmacists Public Health Initiatives (PPHI) supports public health education.

Core offerings span four product lines. The Online Education CEnter, delivered through the Lecture Panda platform, provides ACPE-accredited live webinars, on-demand webinars, certificate programs, and home study courses, with member-discounted pricing (e.g., $30 members / $40 non-members for on-demand webinars). Hands-on compounding training is delivered at the National Training Laboratory in Bartlett, TN across four 2026 programs: Fundamental Compounding with Pharmacy Law ($1,495-$1,695), Comprehensive Sterile Compounding ($2,095-$2,295), Dermatological Compounding ($1,095-$1,395), and Veterinary Compounding Essentials. The Annual Conference & Expo ($449-$949 per attendee) and ACPE accreditation services for external CE providers round out the catalog, alongside customized on-site training and a public Pharmacy Locator directory.

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring individual and corporate membership dues (corporate at $1,500/year or $395 quarterly), conference and training registration fees, continuing education program fees, and corporate sponsorships. Distribution is sales-led via direct membership applications, a member referral program, the website (acainfo.org), and the Corporate Member Network, primarily across the United States with Canadian and international membership. The organization is led by Executive Vice President Susan Bartlemay, with Chairman Nicholas Smock and President Hillary Howell heading the 2025-2026 officer slate.

Name

American College of Apothecaries

Legal name

American College of Apothecaries, Inc.

Website

https://acainfo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1940

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American College of Apothecaries is a 501(c)(6) professional membership organization, founded in 1940, that delivers ACPE-accredited continuing education, hands-on pharmaceutical compounding training, and an annual conference to independent community pharmacists, technicians, marketers, and students across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmacy Professional Education

NAICS

All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Pharmacy (EDAHAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Medicine & Allied Health (Clinical) (EDAGABAG)

Keywords

• Pharmacy continuing education
• Compounding training courses
• Professional pharmacy membership
• Pharmaceutical association services
• Pharmacy conference events

Headquarters

HQ city

Bartlett

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from individual pharmacists, technicians, marketers, and student pharmacists, plus corporate membership fees
2. Conference and Training Registrations: Revenue from registration fees for annual conferences, compounding training courses, and continuing education programs
3. CE Program Fees: Fees for live webinars, on-demand webinars, certificate programs, and home study courses offered through the online education center
4. Corporate Membership: Annual corporate membership dues providing benefits including email access to membership, logo placement, directory listings, and sponsorship opportunities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The American College of Apothecaries is a nonprofit professional pharmacy association that delivers ACPE-accredited continuing education, hands-on compounding training courses, an annual educational conference/expo, and member benefit programs to independent community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy marketers, student pharmacists, and corporate pharmacy entities. The organization also operates a public Pharmacy Locator directory connecting patients to member pharmacies.

Product overview

American College of Apothecaries is a professional pharmacy association offering a unified platform of educational products and membership services. The core offerings include the ACA Online Education Center (live/on-demand webinars, home study, certificates), hands-on Compounding Training Courses at the National Training Lab (Fundamental, Sterile, Veterinary, Dermatological), and the Annual Conference & Expo. These are complemented by the Pharmacy Locator directory, Certificate & Home Study Programs, Customized On-Site Training, and ACPE Accreditation Services for external CE providers. Membership programs range from Full Fellowship (Pharmacist) to Student Pharmacist, Technician, and Corporate tiers. The organization also provides specialized training tracks in non-sterile and sterile compounding through its affiliated organizations ACVP (Veterinary Pharmacists) and PPHI (Public Health Initiatives).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Educational Conference & Expo Multi-day ACPE-accredited continuing education conference and expo event held annually for pharmacy professionals, featuring educational sessions, networking, and an exhibit hall with sponsors.
• Fundamental Compounding Training Course Two-day hands-on introductory compounding training course held at the National Training Laboratory for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seeking to develop compounding skills.
• Sterile Compounding Training Course Two-day hands-on training course in sterile compounding techniques delivered at the National Training Laboratory for pharmacists and technicians preparing or handling sterile preparations.
• Dermatological Compounding Training Course Two-day hands-on training course in dermatological compounding for pharmacists and technicians serving dermatology practices.
• Veterinary Compounding Training Course Hands-on training course in veterinary compounding delivered at the National Training Laboratory for pharmacists serving or expanding into veterinary practice.
• ACPE Continuing Education Programs ACPE-accredited continuing education activities delivered across live conferences, home study programs, and online courses, accepted by state boards of pharmacy for pharmacist and technician license renewal.
• Online Education Center Self-serve digital platform providing ACPE-accredited continuing education courses that members and non-members can complete online at their own pace.
• Pharmacy Membership Programs Individual pharmacist membership tiers offering continuing education access, member benefits, professional recognition, and eligibility for Fellowship credentialing.
• Corporate Membership Program Organizational membership tier for pharmacies, chains, and pharmacy-related businesses that provides CE access and benefits to multiple employees under a single membership.
• Customized On-Site Compounding Training Tailored hands-on compounding training delivered at the member pharmacy's own location, scheduled at the convenience of the host organization.
• Pharmacy Locator Public online directory that helps patients find member pharmacies and connects users to compounding and specialty pharmacy services in their area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85 years of service to the pharmacy profession
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2020Partnership renewal providing ACA members special pricing on ACHC's Pharmacy Accreditation services including PCAB compounding accreditation, and discounts on ACHCU educational resources. Both organizations are committed to advancing safe practices and quality through education and collaboration.
• American College of Veterinary Pharmacists (ACVP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACVP is an affiliate organization of ACA, supporting independent pharmacists in developing and strengthening services for animals since 1998. ACVP provides membership levels for Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Marketers, Pharmacy Students and Corporations, with networking opportunities and conferences.
• Pharmacists Public Health Initiatives (PPHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPHI is a non-profit organization which promotes consumer public health education and pharmaceutical information. The organization provides live and online continuing education for pharmacists and other public health professionals through the ACA | ACVP | PPHI Educational CEnter.
• American College of Apothecaries Research and Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACA's research and education foundation supporting scholarships for student pharmacists and advancing pharmacy education initiatives.
• Lecture PandacoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership providing access to a library of syndicated CE programs from various providers through the Lecture Panda marketplace. ACA receives financial support from partner program purchases.
• Washington State Pharmacy Association (WSPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSPA developed the HHS-approved Vaccine Administration Training for Pharmacy Technicians offered through ACA's online Education Center. Training allows Technicians to vaccinate children under 18 and COVID-19 vaccine, fulfilling PTCB requirements.
• PCCAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing compounding pharmacy support and products
• FagronminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member in the pharmaceutical compounding industry
• Storey MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing pharmacy marketing services; designed the ACA website
• Sports Pharmacy NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member partnered with ACA to advance sports pharmacy education and independent pharmacy practice
• Ortho Molecular ProductsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing pharmaceutical products
• PTCBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member; ACA training fulfills PTCB Immunization Administration Assessment-Based Certificate Program requirements
• Pharmacists Mutual CompaniesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing pharmacy insurance products
• ARL Bio PharmaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing pharmaceutical laboratory services
• Airclean SystemsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing cleanroom and environmental control products for pharmacy compounding
• Qi Medical, IncminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member providing pharmacy equipment and supplies
• Concordia University WisconsinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member; academic institution with pharmacy school program
• Coalition for Compounding ExcellenceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate member supporting compounding pharmacy excellence

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists: ASHP serves hospital and health-system pharmacists with CE, certifications, and advocacy. A broader incumbent with overlapping educational infrastructure but targeting a different practice setting than ACA's independent pharmacy focus.

Direct peers

• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy: AACP represents pharmacy schools and serves the academic pharmacy community through education, research, and advocacy. Comparable to ACA in supporting the pharmacy education ecosystem, though focused on degree-granting institutions rather than practicing pharmacists.
• National Community Pharmacists Association: NCPA is the leading U.S. membership association specifically serving independent community pharmacists — the same core constituency as ACA — through advocacy, education, and CE programming. Most directly comparable peer given overlapping mission, customer base, and educational offerings.
• American Pharmacists Association: APhA is the largest U.S. pharmacy professional association, providing ACPE-accredited CE, advocacy, and membership to pharmacists across all practice settings. Comparable to ACA as a peer professional society with overlapping educational products but broader scope.
• International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists: IACP is dedicated to the art and science of pharmacy compounding, offering training, advocacy, and member resources — directly competing with ACA's hands-on compounding training courses at the National Training Laboratory.

Emerging players

• American Society of Consultant Pharmacists: ASCP represents pharmacists serving geriatric and long-term care populations, offering CE and specialty certification. Partial overlap with ACA's CE model but focused on a narrower practice niche.
• College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists: CPNP is a specialty pharmacy membership organization providing CE and credentials in psychiatric and neurologic pharmacy. Comparable as a smaller specialty pharmacy association with a similar member-funded, CE-centric operating model.

Others

• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy: NABP supports state pharmacy boards with licensure, examination (NAPLEX), and accreditation services. Adjacent to ACA's mission through shared regulatory and licensing ecosystem involvement, though not a direct competitor.
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board: PTCB is the leading credentialing body for pharmacy technicians. ACA training fulfills PTCB certification requirements, making PTCB a complementary organization whose standards drive demand for ACA's technician-focused programs.
• Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education: ACPE is the national accreditor for pharmacy education and CE providers. ACA is itself ACPE-accredited, making ACPE an ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor — comparable as a stakeholder in the pharmacy CE value chain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aca_info

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American College of Apothecaries