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Applications for Registration from Pharmacists registered in Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom or the USA under the Recognised Equivalent Qualification Route (REQR) process

The REQR process is open to practising pharmacists who gained their pharmacy degree in one of the above countries OR successfully completed an approved programme from a learning institution in one of the above countries (ie. PEBC in Canada, OSPAP in the UK or NAPLEX in the USA).  Overseas pharmacists who have registration in one of the above countries but did not gain their pharmacy degree or attend an approved programme from a learning institution in one of the above countries are not eligible for registration under the REQR process.  They can, however, apply for registration under the Non-REQR process.

A summary of the REQR and Non-REQR registration processes is available in this flow chart.

Under the REQR process, a practising pharmacist from one of the above countries who is currently registered and in good standing with the registration authority in their own country can apply to sit the Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) exam as the first step in the registration process.  After passing the CAOP exam, successful applicants then undertake a period of supervised practice before registering as a pharmacist in New Zealand.  Applicants from Canada and the USA are also required to complete the Revisit The Workplace Programme (RTWP) offered by the New Zealand College of Pharmacists.

English Language Requirements

Applicants under the REQR process are required to meet the English Language Requirements set by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

Letters of Good Standing

Pharmacists applying for registration under the REQR process must request a Letter(s) of Good Standing from the registration authority in each country where they have practised over the last 10 years.  These should be sent directly to the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand by the registration authority.  The application to sit the CAOP examination cannot be accepted until the Letter(s) of Good Standing are received by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

Please note that Letters of Good Standing are valid for 6 months from the date issued.  If the Letter of Good Standing, which supported the CAOP exam application, is not valid when an application for registration is lodged following an exam pass, an updated Letter of Good Standing may be required.

CAOP Exam

The CAOP exam is administered by the Australian Pharmacy Examining Committee (APEC).  It is offered four times a year in March, June, September and December.  APEC arranges exam venues in New Zealand (Auckland), the United Kingdom (London) and Australia (State capitals).  Once your exam application has been accepted by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand it is sent to APEC for processing by the due date.  APEC then communicates directly with all applicants regarding the exam time, date, venue etc.

You can download the Application Form for CAOP exam.  Please note that applications for the CAOP exam must be received at the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand by the dates indicated below:

• March exam - 1 January
• June exam - 1 April
• September exam - 1 July
• December exam - 1 October

Faxed or emailed copies and late applications are not accepted.  Two certified passport photographs must be attached to the exam application form in the box provided.  The back of each photograph must have the statement Certified true likeness of (full name of applicant), bear the signature of the certifier and dated.  The certifier can be a lawyer, solicitor, Justice of the Peace or any other person authorised to witness a statutory declaration.  You should also attach the certifier's business card for authentication.

Exam results are notified in writing to applicants approximately four weeks after the exam date.

You are allowed two attempts to pass the CAOP exam.  Further attempts are only permitted at the discretion of the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.

Refunds and deferrals policy for CAOP exam

Prior to the closing date of exam entries as advised above, a pharmacist who has submitted an application to sit the CAOP exam may change the date they wish to sit the exam or request that their application form and fee be returned to them.

After the exam closing date, a candidate may not defer their sitting until a later date under any circumstances.  In exceptional circumstances (eg ill health), a candidate may apply for a refund if they withdraw from the exam after the closing date for entries and before the actual exam date.  In these special circumstances, 50% of the total exam fee is refundable.

Texts for the CAOP Exam

Council strongly advises candidates obtain and familiarise themselves with both the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) and the British National Formulary (BNF).  Although both texts refer to some medicines not available in New Zealand, the generic information in both is pertinent to the New Zealand pharmacy environment.  

Further information on the exam content, structure, texts etc is available on the Australian Pharmacy Council website.  You only need to read Section 5 and Appendices A, B and C of the Stream B Candidates Information Handbook as the other information is only relevant to Australian applicants.

Supervised Practice and the Law & Ethics Interview

Applicants who pass the CAOP exam are sent an application form for Registration as a Pharmacist.  On the form applicants advise the name of their supervising pharmacist, together with the name and address of the pharmacy where they will complete their period of supervised practice.

Applicants from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom are required to complete a minimum of four weeks' supervised practice under the supervision of a practising New Zealand pharmacist, before attending a Law and Ethics interview (which includes a short calculations test) with an approved assessor.  Applicants from Canada and the USA are required to complete three months' supervised practice before attending the interview.  Please note that periods of supervised practise cannot commence until after the CAOP exam results have been made available.  Applicants from Canada and the USA are also required to successfully complete the Revisit The Workplace Programme offered by the New Zealand College of Pharmacists.

While applicants are meeting the conditions for practice, they are issued with an Interim Practising Certificate.  Once all the conditions have been met, applicants are then issued with an unconditional Annual Practising Certificate (APC).

From passing the CAOP exam, applicants have two years in which to complete the registration process.

Immigration Requirements

Applicants must be eligible to work as a pharmacist in New Zealand and must enclose proof with their application for Registration as a Pharmacist.  It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm their registration status with the New Zealand Immigration Service (www.nzis.govt.nz).  

For further enquiries on the REQR process please email the Registrations Officer