To become a pharmacist in New Zealand as an international graduate from countries other than Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the USA, you need to follow the Non-REQR (Recognised Equivalent Qualifications Route) application route. The non-REQR route involves various steps, from eligibility requirements like educational qualifications and training to registration criteria.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you steer through the process efficiently.
Contents
Why Obtain a Pharmacy License in New Zealand?
A pharmacy graduate from countries like India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Africa, Pakistan, and so on aspiring to practise in New Zealand must obtain a pharmacy license there. Did you know that pharmacy is highly respected, providing lucrative salaries, job stability, and diverse opportunities in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, community pharmacies, and research institutions in New Zealand? The licensure exam for practising pharmacy in New Zealand is the OPRA exam (which has replaced the KAPS exam).
Required Exams to Get Certified
Overseas pharmacists must pass the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam to validate their skills in the pharmaceutical sciences. This exam is conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). This is a common licensure exam for both Australia and New Zealand. The candidate must pass the OPRA exam within two attempts only. Once the candidates clear the OPRA exam, they must complete the New Zealand Pharmacy Legislation (NZPL) Course before proceeding to internship training. The NZPL course improves your professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities of pharmacists practising in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Education Requirements and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the OPRA exam, the candidate needs:
- Educational Criteria: The candidate must complete at least four years of a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree from an accredited institution.
- Skills assessment: The Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) must assess your skills to determine your eligibility for the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam.
Internship and Practical Training
After clearing the OPRA exam and completing the NZPL course, the candidates become eligible for an internship. This internship opens only once a year in December. This practical training allows aspiring pharmacists to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and gain hands-on experience.
Key Information for the Intern Training Programme (ITP):
- The applications are open from mid-November to late January every year.
- The candidate must complete a paid internship of 1450 hours at an approved Hospital or community pharmacy setting under the supervision of a preceptor.
- The candidate must complete the English language proficiency test to ensure easy communication.
- The candidate can log up to 84 hours of intern hours per fortnight.
- Pass the final exam by the Pharmacy Council’s final Assessment Centre to qualify as a pharmacist.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Overseas pharmacists must pass the English language proficiency test with a required score to be achieved within two years of the application date:
- Academic IELTS: A minimum of 7.0 in each band or
- Occupational English Test (OET): An A or B in each band
Steps to Register as a Pharmacist in New Zealand
Let’s get through the gist of the journey once again.
- Obtain a recognized pharmacy degree (with a minimum of four years).
- Get your skills assessment done by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.
- Appear the OPRA exam and clear it.
- Finish your New Zealand Pharmacy Legislation (NZPL) Course.
- Get registered for an internship.
- Complete 1450 hours of internship in an approved pharmacy under the supervision of a preceptor or a supervised registered pharmacist.
- Successfully complete any additional assessments as required by PCNZ.
- Application for registering with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand as a registered pharmacist.
- Attain a practicing certificate to start practising as a licensed pharmacist in New Zealand.
Career Opportunities for Pharmacists in New Zealand
New Zealand offers a wide range of career paths for pharmacists, including:
- Community Pharmacists – Working in retail pharmacies, advising patients on medications, and managing prescriptions.
- Hospital Pharmacists – Collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure safe medication use.
- Industrial Pharmacists – Involved in pharmaceutical research, development, and manufacturing.
- Regulatory Affairs and Government Roles – Working with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical laws.
- Academic and Research Pharmacists – Teaching and conducting research at universities and institutions.
How Elite Expertise Helps You Become a Licensed Pharmacist in New Zealand
Elite Expertise is an online education platform to guide overseas pharmacists to attain their goal of practicing in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, etc., by preparing them for the licensure exams like OPRA/KAPS exam, PSI equivalence exam, and PEBC exam respectively. Our services include:
- OPRA Exam Preparation – Comprehensive study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance to help you succeed.
- Skills Assessment Guidance: we provide the guidance required for the skill assessment, making your life easy through this journey.
- Unlimited access until you pass the OPRA exam: We provide resources for your preparation until you pass the exam with a one-time fee.
- Learning through experts in Industry: Our mentors are real-life pharmacists who share their knowledge through their real-life experiences and expertise in their teaching.
- Interactive online and recorded sessions: Learn independently with online classes and recorded sessions.
Conclusion
No journey is easy, but with consistent hard work and perseverance, one can become a pharmacist in New Zealand. There are several steps in this journey, from meeting educational requirements to passing OPRA exams and English language tests to demonstrate proficiency, completing an internship, and registering with the New Zealand Pharmacy Council, and this process can be tiring. At Elite Expertise, we understand the hurdles and support you at every step, ensuring a smooth journey to becoming a pharmacist in New Zealand.
