The Benefits of Each Certification for Your Business
In 2019, Meta announced they were applying new restrictions to advertisers for Addiction Treatment services that included a new requirement—LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification.
In 2020, Google updated its healthcare and medicines policy requiring online pharmacies to obtain LegitScript Healthcare Merchant Certification.
In 2022, Google updated its Dangerous Products and Services and Healthcare and Medicines policy requiring CBD advertisers to achieve LegitScript CBD Certification.
LegitScript's mission is to make the internet and payment ecosystems safer and more transparent and that mission drove us forward. We are now the industry-leading certification provider for Addiction Treatment, Healthcare, and CBD certification—extending beyond Google.
Platforms Around the Globe Require LegitScript Certification to Unlock Advertising and Payment Processing
LegitScript’s strategic partnerships extended from Meta and Google to Microsoft, Visa, Mastercard, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Netflix. Our rigorous and thorough certification process is globally recognized.
Let’s explore the certifications LegitScript offers and why each is considered a valuable seal of approval.
LegitScript Healthcare Certification
77% of patients use online search to find a new healthcare provider, and the online healthcare landscape is complex and highly regulated.
LegitScript certification doesn’t just unlock opportunities for more revenue—we help providers like you avoid inadvertent noncompliance that could bar you from accessing advertising and payment processing.
LegitScript Healthcare Certification Standards Are Known for their Rigor
LegitScript Certification is a recognized seal of approval that enables businesses to showcase their compliance, unlock opportunities to advertise, and accept digital payments.
The Healthcare Certification application process verifies that each applicant meets essential requirements, including, but not limited to, holding valid licensure and registration, demonstrating legal compliance, and confirming domain name registration and physical location.
An important part of the application review process is evaluating the online presence of a business, as well as its advertising practices. Additionally, we evaluate whether the business has been subject to any recent disciplinary actions, and if so, confirm that the business has taken measures to address them and come into compliance.
We take a wide view—reviewing the applicant, their staff, and even their affiliates to ensure all aspects of a business comply with our Certification Standards.
LegitScript strongly encourages prospective applicants to review our Healthcare Certification Application Checklist or, for pharmaceutical manufacturers specifically, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Healthcare Certification Application Checklist.
These resources, along with our Certification Standards, provide essential guidance to help applicants prepare thoroughly and streamline the compliance review process.
Eligible Healthcare Providers Can Unlock Advertising and Payment Processing with LegitScript Certification
Eligible healthcare providers can unlock advertising on Google Ads, Bing Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Netflix Ads, and TikTok Ads while streamlining payment processing solutions via Visa and Mastercard.
Now let’s explore who is eligible for LegitScript Healthcare Certification.
Telemedicine and Telehealth Prescribers
A telemedicine or telehealth provider offers consultations with, or treatment by, a person who is a licensed practitioner providing services via an electronic or telephonic medium. To qualify for certification, consultations must culminate in a prescription being issued for medication.
Pharmacies
Including internet pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, brick-and-mortar pharmacies, over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacies, internet veterinary pharmacies, and compounding pharmacies.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Wholesale Drug Distributors
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
A pharmaceutical manufacturer is a company that is engaged in the manufacturing, preparing, processing, packaging, repackaging, or labeling of a drug. This includes virtual manufacturers.
Wholesale Drug Distributors
A wholesale drug distributor is a company engaged in the wholesale distribution of drugs. This includes virtual wholesalers.
Other Healthcare Merchants
Other healthcare merchants may include additional business models that facilitate the sale of prescription medication, such as platforms connecting consumers with telemedicine providers or pharmacies with whom they have a contractual relationship.
Medical spas processing CNP (Card not present) transactions on their domain for prescription medication, or performing telemedicine consultations that result in a prescription medication being issued, are eligible to be certified. Businesses licensed to offer discount or cost-saving programs for prescription medications, as well as prescription eyewear merchants, are also in scope for Certification.
Common Business Models Out Of Scope For Healthcare Certification
Below is a list of common business models that fall outside the scope of Healthcare Certification.
- Business models solely offering the retail sale of CBD products. (Please visit our CBD Certification homepage for additional details on how to get your CBD products and domains certified)
- Companies with business models solely offering the prescription of (physician-ordered) lab tests
- Business models solely offering supplements
- Business models solely offering medical devices
- Insurance Companies
- US-based Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification
86% of consumers use Google Search before scheduling an appointment. In light of a weary public, standing out from the crowd as a compliant, trusted provider yields a larger return on investment over time. Without an online presence, your facility may miss the opportunity to help those seeking treatment.
Certification Enhances Your Credibility and Showcases Your Commitment to Compliance
The certification seal of approval builds trust with consumers and advertising platforms because all LegitScript applicants in the drug and alcohol space must demonstrate their compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
This includes showing valid documentation for business registration, legal compliance, and domain name registration, and having written policies and procedures in place for following industry best practices.
Transparency is one of the core pillars of LegitScript Certification.
Our thorough evaluation process takes into consideration how important this is for patients who are looking to connect with trusted providers. We obtain a holistic view of internal and external practices and ensure your digital advertising complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
Addiction Treatment Providers Can Unlock Advertising on Google, Meta, and Microsoft Bing
Addiction Treatment providers that qualify for certification unlock advertising on Google, Meta, and Microsoft — meaning Google Ads, Meta Ads, and Bing Ads.
We strongly recommend all applicants review the Addiction Treatment Certification Application Checklist as they prepare to apply. Now let’s explore who qualifies for LegitScript Addiction Treatment Certification.
In-person Addiction Treatment Providers
LegitScript defines in-person addiction treatment providers as any website, application, or merchant that provides information about in-person drug and alcohol addiction treatment or facilitates in-person or online drug and alcohol treatment—other than at a private residence or non-clinical setting.
In-person addiction treatment providers could include, and are not limited to:
- Detoxification providers
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) providers
- Inpatient and/or residential treatment centers
- Partial Hospitalization treatment centers
- Intensive outpatient and/or outpatient treatment centers
- Counseling providers
- Therapy providers that treat SUD
- Telemedicine providers
Mutual Support Groups
Mutual support groups qualify for Addiction Treatment Certification if they facilitate interactions between non-professional group members who are engaged in recovery. By definition, they do not provide clinical and/or therapeutic addiction treatment services.
Crisis Hotlines
A crisis hotline qualifies for Addiction Treatment Certification if it has a website, application, call center, telephone number, or a chat feature that provides virtual and/or remote assistance or information to individuals seeking information about addiction, addiction treatment, or recovery.
LegitScript CBD Certification
CBD is a new market and consumer interest has skyrocketed amid an evolving regulatory landscape. Yet many consumers don’t know how to determine if a CBD product is compliant.
Few standards existed to help before LegitScript.
Certification helps legitimate merchants and manufacturers stand out from the crowd in a particularly complex market.
CBD Manufacturers and Retailers Can Unlock Advertising on Google Ads and Meta Ads
Both Google and Meta require LegitScript certification to advertise CBD. CBD manufacturers and retailers with LegitScript-certified websites can stand out in an increasingly crowded space with compliant advertising. Please note, that there are limitations per platform on which markets advertisers can target.
Per LegitScript CBD Certification Standards, all CBD products marketed on a website must first possess their own individual product certification in order for the website to be submitted for website certification.
Once a website is certified, merchants unlock exclusive advertising capabilities to market their CBD products on major platforms. Google & Meta’s CBD Ad Policy states that websites must hold LegitScript certification to advertise CBD products.
Prospective CBD certification applicants are encouraged to review the CBD Website Application Checklist and the CBD Product Application Checklist prior to applying for certification to best prepare.
We strongly suggest you also review our Certification Standards thoroughly, as this is where you will find the comprehensive list of all criteria that must be met in order to be certified.
Prove Your CBD Product’s Compliance with Certification
LegitScript certifies eligible CBD products derived from legally cultivated hemp to help merchants demonstrate compliance with USDA, FDA, and FTC regulations — as well as state-specific laws.
CBD product compliance reviews include but are not limited to, third-party laboratory testing, product label assessment, verification of proper licensure, and review of Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
Build Trust With Consumers by Certifying Your CBD Website(s)
When your CBD website is LegitScript-certified, customers can rest assured your CBD products check all the boxes—they’re third-party tested, FDA-compliant, and free of impermissible levels of THC. To qualify for CBD website certification, each CBD product sold on the website must have its own individual CBD product certification.
CBD websites certified by LegitScript are upheld to our rigorous set of Certification Standards. We review licensure, registration, legal compliance, marketing practices, and more.
Other external practices observed during the application process include but are not limited to, business practices and product labeling. Transparent and compliant websites achieve certification—and the LegitScript seal of approval.
Improve Customer Trust and Differentiate Your Business in Saturated Markets with LegitScript Certification
Consumers and potential patients all have one thing in common—they largely seek services online. Improving customer trust will increase your revenue.
Publicly showcase your commitment to compliance to set your business apart from competitors and attract new customers.
