Two organizations do most of the healthcare merchant certification that ad platforms and card networks accept in the US: LegitScript and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). They overlap more than they used to, so the choice isn't always obvious.
Side by side
| LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification | NABP Healthcare Merchant Accreditation | NABP Digital Pharmacy Accreditation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Telehealth providers, prescribers, pharmacies, brokers, facilitators, manufacturers and distributors | A broad range of healthcare and healthcare-adjacent businesses, including telehealth | Licensed US pharmacies with an interactive website |
| Domain | Your existing domain(s) | Tied to a .pharmacy domain | Requires Healthcare Merchant Accreditation and a .pharmacy domain first |
| Cost | $975 application + $2,150/yr per website | Per NABP fee policy | Per NABP fee policy |
| Term | Annual, continuously monitored | Annual renewal | 3-year accreditation |
| Ad platforms | Google, Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, LinkedIn and others | Google, Bing and others | Google, Bing, TikTok, Reddit and others |
| Card networks | Visa, Mastercard | Visa, Mastercard | Visa, Mastercard |
How to choose
You're a telehealth brand or clinic
LegitScript is the default. It's the certification Meta relies on, it works on your existing domain, and its standards are built around prescribers and facilitators. NABP Healthcare Merchant Accreditation is a legitimate alternative for some platforms, but it ties you to a .pharmacy domain, which rarely suits a clinic brand.
You're a pharmacy
Both work. NABP Digital Pharmacy Accreditation is the pharmacy-specific program and the one boards of pharmacy know best. Many pharmacies hold LegitScript too because they serve telehealth partners who need a LegitScript-certified pharmacy for their own application.
You're a telehealth brand choosing a pharmacy
Ask for either. LegitScript's affiliates standard expects partner pharmacies to be certified or accredited; NABP accreditation generally satisfies that.
What Google actually requires
Google requires its own certification to run ads for online pharmacies, telehealth and prescription drug services. For some categories, Google requires third-party accreditation first and names LegitScript and NABP as examples. So the order is: LegitScript or NABP, then Google certification, then each ad is reviewed on its own.
Do you ever need both?
Rarely for a clinic. Sometimes for a pharmacy that wants the .pharmacy trust signal and also sells into telehealth networks. Pick the one your main ad platform and your partners ask for, and certify every domain you advertise.
Mistakes we see either way
- Certifying the wrong domain. Both programs certify specific domains. Ads pointing to an uncertified landing page break platform rules.
- Assuming a partner's certification covers you. Your pharmacy's LegitScript or NABP status helps your application; it doesn't certify your business.
- Choosing by price. The fee difference is small next to the cost of a review that stalls on licensure or structure. Pick the program your platforms and partners ask for.
- Forgetting to report changes. New states, products, owners or domains have to be reported under both programs.
Where MDside fits
MDside is LegitScript certified. Whichever program you choose, the review tests the same things: licensure in every state, lawful structure, valid prescribing and honest claims. That's what we build. Book a call.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LegitScript and NABP?
LegitScript certifies a broad set of healthcare merchants on their existing domains with annual monitoring. NABP offers Healthcare Merchant Accreditation, tied to a .pharmacy domain, and Digital Pharmacy Accreditation for licensed US pharmacies.
Can a telehealth company use NABP instead of LegitScript?
NABP Healthcare Merchant Accreditation is open to telehealth businesses, but it is tied to a .pharmacy domain. Most clinic and telehealth brands choose LegitScript, which works on their existing domain and is relied on by Meta.
Does Google accept NABP or LegitScript?
Google names LegitScript and NABP as examples of third-party accreditation it may require before granting its own healthcare certifications.
Do I need a .pharmacy domain?
Only for NABP programs. LegitScript certifies your existing domains.
How much does NABP accreditation cost?
NABP publishes fees in a separate fee policy. LegitScript charges $975 per website to apply and $2,150 per website per year once approved.
Related reading
Sources
- LegitScript: certification standards
- LegitScript: process and pricing
- NABP: Healthcare Merchant Accreditation
- NABP: Digital Pharmacy Accreditation
- Google Ads: prescription drug services
Certification is the easy part.
The structure behind it is what gets reviewed. We build that.