2025-2026 Oregon Pharmaceutical Representative 10 Credit Pre-License Education Course Curriculum

This 10-credit curriculum is accredited by the Oregon licensing department and fulfills the requirements for the pre-license education. The curriculum consists of 10 courses each having an assessment. Upon completion of the curriculum, you will receive a Certificate of Completion which is required to complete your initial licensure.

2025-2026 Oregon Pharmaceutical Representative 10 Credit Pre-License Education Course Curriculum

This 10-credit curriculum is accredited by the Oregon licensing department and fulfills the requirements for the pre-license education. The curriculum consists of 10 courses each having an assessment. Upon completion of the curriculum, you will receive a Certificate of Completion which is required to complete your initial licensure.

State of Oregon Requirements*

Pre-license 10 PLE
  • The state of Oregon has enacted a Pharmaceutical Representative Licensing requirement, which became effective 1/1/2022. “Pharmaceutical Representative” is defined to include anybody who markets or promotes pharmaceutical products to health care providers in Oregon for 15 or more days during a calendar year. 
  • The conditions of initial licensure will include payment of a $755 license fee
  • In order to satisfy the prelicensure education requirements for an initial pharmaceutical representative license, applicants must complete a course(s) of at least 10 hours (PLE). In addition, each year an additional 5 hours of continuing education (CE) must be completed in order to renew the license.
  • Note: Licensees are subject to fines for failure to comply with the licensure requirements.
  • The online licensure application is available on the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services website. Please note that pharmaceutical sales representatives will be required to register in the state’s NIPR system, the same system utilized by insurance agents in Oregon. Step-by-step instructions, a video tutorial and an FAQ page are available at the link above and the instructions are attached for your reference.  
  • The NIPR system that is used for registration was designed for use by insurance agents, and is not tailored to pharmaceutical representatives, so may not be 100% user-friendly.
  • We recommend watching the video tutorial that is available for navigating the application process.  
  • You will be required to provide your “home” or personal address and phone number for ease of regulator contact.

Course Content

1: An Introduction to the Life Science Industry
This learning program is designed to introduce you to the pharmaceutical industry and covers the following topics:
1. History of the Pharmaceutical Industry
2. The stages/steps involved in drug discovery and development
3. The different types of pharmaceutical companies
4. The challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry
2: An Overview of Third Party Logistics (3PL)
This lesson provides an overview of third-party logistics providers (3PLs) in the life science industry and provides high level information on what they do, licensing, the Drug Supply Chain Security Act and potential disciplinary actions for non compliance. 
3: PhRMA Code
Ethical relationships with healthcare professionals are critical to a manufacturer's goals in helping patients by developing and marketing new and existing medicines. This course is focused on the Code of Conduct issued by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturer's of America (PhRMA) on interactions with healthcare professionals.
4: Introduction to Working with DEA Controlled Substances
This course offers a foundation to working with DEA Controlled Substances in the life science industry. The course explains the functions of the Office of Diversion Control, laws and codes related to Controlled Substances, Registrant Responsibilities and more.
5: False Claims Act for Life Science
This course explains the purpose of the False Claims Act (FCA), the scope, how it is enforced and the associated penalties of non-compliance. Potential risks in sales activities are identified and examples are provided as a means to help manufacturers mitigate their risks.
6: Product Complaints and Adverse Events
This Adverse Event course is comprised of two lessons and provides valuable information to enable the trainee to understand and identify an Adverse Event, define the types of Adverse Events, the importance of reporting requirements and tools for compliance.
7: Bloodborne Pathogens Awareness
If you at risk for potential contact with blood or other infectious materials, you are at risk for contracting potentially deadly, incurable diseases. This course explains what bloodborne pathogens are and how you can protect yourself from them.
8: HIPAA HITECH
Training employees to safeguard Protected Health Information (PHI) is a requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as amended by the HITECH (The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act. This privacy course is specifically tailored to help employees understand what information is private, why it is private and what they can do to protect it. 
9: Medical Terminology & Abbreviations Modules I to IV
This course provides common medical terminology and abbreviations which will provide a baseline for employees to better understand products, improve communications with healthcare professionals and have a better understanding of reportable events.
10: Cultural Competency in Life Sciences Modules I to IV
Cultural Competency in Life Sciences. This course consists of four modules with knowledge checks throughout and an assessment at the conclusion of the course. Module I takes the learner through the meaning of cultural competency and its philosophies and principles in the healthcare industry. Discussions include culture, race, ethnicity, identity and key terms. Module II to IV introduces the Bennett Model, cross cultural communication, measuring your cultural competence, communication and cultural influences working with health care professionals and practices to improve your cultural competence.