Skills Recognition and Examination Process Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does my pharmacy course have to be for me to be able to enter the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) recognition process?
The APC examination procedure is open to any overseas trained pharmacist who has completed an approved pharmacy program. An approved pharmacy qualification awarded after 1 January 2006 must include a minimum component of the equivalent of four years full time academic study. A person who graduated prior to 1 January 2006 must have completed an approved pharmacy program which required the equivalent of at least three years full time academic study. The applicant must also be registered or be eligible for registration as a pharmacist in the country in which the qualification was obtained.
2. Are there any exemptions given from the English language requirements?
No. In order to ensure that all candidates are assessed objectively and to the same standard, the Examining Committee decided that all APC candidates, regardless of whether English is their first language or not, are required to sit one of the two English tests and achieve results at the required standard. This is also in recognition of the importance of English and communication skills in the practice of pharmacy in Australia, and to ensure that a candidate’s English language ability is sufficient to enable them to undertake the APC examination process and practise their profession in Australia. A candidate who does not achieve the English standard required is likely to have difficulty with the APC examinations and period of supervised practice. For this reason also, no exemptions are given to the English language requirement.
3. How do I notify the APC that I have changed my address?
For security reasons and under Australia’s privacy legislation the APC needs to be certain that it is acting on the instructions of the candidate only. To ensure this we require all advice of change of address to be sent under cover of an APC change of address form or a letter which includes the candidate’s original signature (a fax or e-mail with a scanned signature is insufficient for our requirements). This should be forwarded as soon as possible after the candidate has changed their address.
Advice of any change of address should be sent to the APC’s postal address, which is:
Australian Pharmacy Council Inc
PO Box 269
Civic Square ACT 2608
AUSTRALIA
The APC will confirm by an acknowledgement card sent to the candidate at their new address that their address has been changed.
4. I am having difficulty downloading the forms on the website
You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the forms. Please download Adobe Acrobat Reader if you have not already done so. If you have already downloaded Adobe Acrobat reader, try clicking on the refresh button at the top of your screen. If this does not work, please contact apec@pharmacycouncil.org.au
5. How do I apply to sit the APC examinations?
Before a candidate can apply to sit the Stage I or Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) Examinations they must have received a positive eligibility assessment from the APC and provided evidence that they meet the APC English language requirement. These are pre-requisites to enrolling in the examinations, and the APC will not accept an application to sit examinations without these requirements being met.
6. Can my English test results be sent to the APC directly from the testing centre?
Yes. English test results may be sent to the APC directly from the testing centre however it is the candidates responsibility to ensure that the APC has received the English test results. Evidence of satisfactory English test results must be received before the closing date for the Stage I or the CAOP Examination.
7. Can I sit the Stage I or CAOP Examinations if my English test results are pending?
No. The APC does not accept applications for enrolment in the Stage I or CAOP Examinations from individuals with English results pending, even if they are due within a short time after the closing date for the examination. If we do in one case, we have to do this for all, and this would not leave us with sufficient time to complete the administrative arrangements for the examinations in the time available.
8. Where do I sit the examinations?
The English test and the Stage I and CAOP Examinations are conducted both overseas and in Australia. The National Forensic Ethics and Calculations (NFEC) and Stage II Examinations are only conducted in Australia.
Stream A Process
The Stage I Examination is held overseas and in Australia, but the APC does not have a list of regular venues. Once enrolments close for each session the APC identifies the places where the majority of candidates intend to sit, and arrange venues in those places. This minimises the number of people who have to travel to sit the exam.
The following is a list of venues that have been used most regularly in the past. However, candidates should be aware that there is no guarantee that each of these will be used every session, as circumstances at the time can influence our use of venues. Such circumstances include political unrest, natural disasters, hosting of major events (such as the Olympic Games) and availability of suitable venues. For this reason candidates must provide three venue choices (in order of preference) on their application to sit the Stage I Examination.
REGION |
COUNTRY |
CITY |
Africa |
Egypt |
Cairo |
Ghana |
Accra |
|
Kenya |
Nairobi |
|
South Africa |
Johannesburg |
|
Zimbabwe |
Harare |
|
Asia |
China |
Hong Kong |
Japan |
Tokyo |
|
Philippines |
Manila |
|
Singapore |
Singapore |
|
Europe |
England |
London |
Greece |
Athens |
|
Russia |
Moscow |
|
Middle East |
Pakistan |
Islamabad |
Saudi Arabia |
Riyadh |
|
Turkey |
Ankara |
|
United Arab Emirates |
Dubai |
|
Pacific |
Australia |
Adelaide |
Australia |
Brisbane |
|
Australia |
Canberra |
|
Australia |
Darwin |
|
Australia |
Hobart |
|
Australia |
Mackay |
|
Australia |
Melbourne |
|
Australia |
Perth |
|
Australia |
Sydney |
|
Australia |
Townsville |
|
New Zealand |
Auckland |
|
Sub Continent |
India |
New Delhi |
South America
|
Brazil |
Brasilia |
Columbia |
Bogota |
|
Peru |
Lima |
Stream B Process
The CAOP examination is offered in:
REGION |
COUNTRY |
CITY |
Europe |
England |
London |
Pacific |
Australia |
Adelaide |
Australia |
Brisbane |
|
Australia |
Canberra |
|
Australia |
Darwin |
|
Australia |
Hobart |
|
Australia |
Mackay |
|
Australia |
Melbourne |
|
Australia |
Perth |
|
Australia |
Sydney |
|
Australia |
Townsville |
|
New Zealand |
Auckland |
NOTE: We are unable to offer venues in either the United States of America or Canada because of the high cost of insurance premiums.
9. Where can I get help to study for the examinations?
The APC does not make copies of past papers available to candidates, nor are there any courses developed specifically for APC candidates as they all have different educational backgrounds. However, once eligible to sit the exam, candidates are directed to a ‘Candidates’ Information Handbook’ which provides sample questions and sample patient profiles of the type used in the exam and a list of suggested references for the subject areas covered by the exam.
Candidates should determine from the subject areas covered by the exam, what their own areas of weakness might be, and prepare accordingly. Once candidates are assessed as eligible, they are also provided with an order form for a computer assisted learning package on the subject areas of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Calculations, which is available for purchase.
10. Where can I buy the books on the recommended reading lists?
In Australia the best starting point would be the University bookshop at your nearest School of Pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) provides a mail order service for pharmacy texts. Details can be found on their website at www.psa.org.au. Select ‘Books and Products’ from the index on the left hand side of the PSA home page.
11. Is there a limit on the number of attempts at the APC examinations?
Stream A Process
While there is no limit on the number of attempts at the Stage I, NFECE and Stage II Examinations, candidates should be aware that validity periods do apply. See Q.11 below for more detail on validity periods.
Stream B Process
Candidates are entitled to two attempts at the CAOP Examination. If they fail both attempts they will be excluded from the Stream B process and be required to undertake the Stream A process prior to applying for registration in Australia.
12. Can I have access to previous papers?
Previous papers are not available for circulation. There are sample questions available on the website as well as a guide to other study material which may be useful.
13. Will I be assisted in finding a placement to do my supervised practice?
It is the candidate's responsibility to arrange the practice experience and discuss this with their Examining Committee member to ensure that the pharmacy concerned is suitable and approved for supervised practice. A suitable time for this is during the interview following the Stage I or CAOP Examinations. It would be beneficial for Stream A candidates preparing for the Stage II Examination if at least some of the supervised practice is undertaken in a community pharmacy.
Competition for supervised practice placements in the larger Australian cities is strong, and some candidates have had better success in obtaining a placement when they have been prepared to work in a regional or rural area. The Examining Committee member in your State or Territory may be able to advise at the interview whether this might be a suitable option to pursue.
14. Do I have to complete the process within a prescribed time limit?
Yes – there are validity periods that apply. These are as follows:
Stream A Process
Candidates have five years to complete the full APC examination process after successfully completing both papers of the Stage I Examination. This five year period commences from the date of the Stage I results letter showing successful completion of the Stage I Examination (ie when both papers have been passed). If the validity period expires before the candidate has completed the process, they will be required to re-commence the APC examination process commencing with the English test.
Candidates who achieve a pass in one paper of the Stage I Examination will have a two year period in which to pass the second paper and therefore the Stage I Examination. If both papers are not passed in that two year period then the candidate will be required to re-sit both papers of the Examination.
Successful NFECE results will remain valid for twelve (12) months from the last day of the month the examination was attempted. NFECE results must be valid at the time the candidate enrolls in, and at the time the candidate sits the Stage II Examination.
Stream B Process
Candidates have three years to complete the APC examination process after successfully completing the CAOP examination). This three year period commences from the date of the CAOP results letter. Candidates failing to satisfactorily complete the Stream B process by the end of the three year period will be required to recommence the Stream B process from the English test requirement.
Successful NFECE results will remain valid for twelve (12) months from the last day of the month the examination was attempted.
15. What is the Stage I Examination?
The Stage I Examination is an examination for overseas trained pharmacists to demonstrate their competence to practice according to professional standards in Australia. It is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of the basic pharmaceutical sciences.
16. What type of examination is the Stage I and how long does it take?
The Stage I Examination consists of 2 papers each with 100 multiple choice questions. Each question has 4 or 5 options, from which the best possible answer should be selected (e.g. A, B, C, D, E). The time allocated for each paper is two hours.
Paper 1 covers the following subject areas and topics under each of these areas:
Pharmaceutical chemistry
|
Pharmacology and Physiology
|
Paper 2 covers the following subject areas and topics under each of these areas:
Pharmaceutics
|
Therapeutics
|
17. What can I take into the Examination?
The Stage I Examination is a closed book examination, therefore no references or notes are allowed in the room.
Candidates are permitted to bring in a non-programmable, battery operated calculator.
18. What does Australian Pharmacy Competency Assessment Tool (APCAT) assess?
APCAT is one part of the assessment process for Australian interns and APC Stage II candidates. APCAT is used in the assessment of the following competency units, as listed in ‘Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2003’ –
3.1 – Participate in therapeutic decision making
3.2 – Provide ongoing pharmaceutical management
4.2 – Evaluate prescribed medicines
4.3 – Supply prescribed medicines
6.1 – Assess primary health care needs
6.2 – Address primary health care needs of patients
6.3 – Promote good health in the community
19. What type of examination is the APCAT and how long does it take?
The APCAT Examination consists of 120 multiple choice questions. Each question has 4 or 5 distractors, from which the best possible answer should be selected (e.g. A,B,C,D,E). Approximately 60% of the questions relate to patient profiles. The time allowed to complete the APCAT examination paper is 2 ½ hours.
20. What can I take into the Examination?
APCAT is an open book examination. Candidates are permitted to bring the following references into the examination - the recent edition of the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH) and the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF). The reference material should NOT contain annotations, hand written notes, or loose notes. However, parts of the text may be highlighted or flagged prior to the exam.
Candidates are also permitted to bring in a non-programmable, battery-operated calculator.
21. Where is the APCAT Examination held?
APCAT examination sessions are run in conjunction with pharmacy state registering authorities within Australia. Sessions are usually held at the premises of the local pharmacy board or council. Candidates receive a ‘venue notice’, prior to the examination session, with details of the place and time of the upcoming session.
22. What does Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) assess?
CAOP is the preliminary examination for Stream B candidates of the Australian Pharmacy Council. CAOP is used in the assessment of the following competency units, as listed in ‘Competency Standards for Pharmacists in Australia 2003’ –
3.1 – Participate in therapeutic decision making
3.2 – Provide ongoing pharmaceutical management
4.2 – Evaluate prescribed medicines
4.3 – Supply prescribed medicines
6.1 – Assess primary health care needs
6.2 – Address primary health care needs of patients
6.3 – Promote good health in the community
23. What type of examination is the CAOP and how long does it take?
The CAOP Examination consists of 2 parts – Part I and Part II. Part I consists of 100 multiple choice questions. Each question has 4 or 5 distractors, from which the best possible answer should be selected (e.g. A, B, C, D, E). Approximately 60% of the questions relate to patient profiles. Part II consists of a ‘short answer’ question, to which a short written response is required. The total time allowed to complete both parts of the CAOP examination is 2 ½ hours.
24. What can I take into the Examination?
CAOP is an open book examination. Candidates are permitted to bring the following references into the examination - the recent edition of the Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH), the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary (APF) and/or the British National Formulary (BNF). The reference material should NOT contain annotations, hand written notes, or loose notes. However, parts of the text may be highlighted or flagged prior to the exam. Candidates are also permitted to bring in a non-programmable, battery-operated calculator.
25. Where is the CAOP Examination held?
CAOP examination sessions are currently held around Australia, as well as in Auckland and London. Candidates receive a ‘venue notice’, prior to the examination session, with details of the place and time of the upcoming session.
26. What does National Forensic Ethics and Calculations Examination (NFECE) assess?
NFECE constitutes part of the assessment process for Australian interns (in some states), as well as APC Stream A and Stream B candidates. NFECE is used in the assessment of relevant pharmaceutical acts and regulations, primarily the SUSDP (Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons) and calculations applicable to pharmacy practice.
27. What type of examination is the NFECE and how long does it take?
The NFEC Examination consists of 2 parts – Part A and Part B. Part A consists of 20 multiple choice questions. Each question has 4 or 5 distractors, from which the best possible answer should be selected (e.g. A, B, C, D, E). Part B consists of 8 – 10 questions that require calculation. The total time allowed to complete both parts of the NFECE paper is one hour.
28. What can I take into the Examination?
The NFEC Examination is an open book examination. Candidates are permitted to bring the following references into the examination – The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Drugs and Poisons (SUSDP) - and/or local state guides to the Poisons and Drugs Schedules (of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia); Relevant state Pharmacy Acts & Regulations; The 6 page article ‘Supplying Medicines – What Pharmacists Need to Know’ –(http://www.pbs.gov.au/html/healthpro/info/supplying).
Candidates are also permitted to bring in a non-programmable, battery-operated calculator.
29. Where is the NFEC Examination held?
NFECE sessions are run in conjunction with pharmacy state registering authorities within Australia. Sessions are usually held at the premises of the local pharmacy board or council. Candidates receive a ‘venue notice’, prior to the examination session, with details of the place and time of the upcoming session.
30. If I fail an NFECE session can I sit the next one?
As the NFECE is held monthly there is a short turn around time for marking and advising results between sessions. Because of this results may not be available in time to enroll for the next session. Therefore candidates may not always be able to sit the next NFECE session if unsuccessful.
