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This page shows you how to register with us for the Intern Written Examination. Passing this exam is a step in the process to become a fully registered pharmacist in Australia.
You can register to sit the Intern Written Exam if you:
You can choose to sit the Intern Written exam in one of 2 delivery modes:
You cannot change delivery mode after you've confirmed your appointment. Please see a comparison between test centre and online proctored exams.
Duration of exam: 2 hours, 75 questions in total.
An additional 15 min is provided to familiarise yourself with the exam software.
Key dates: see Exam dates and centres
Cost: AU$730
You will register through our Candidate Portal.
You do not usually need any documents to register for the Australian Intern Written Exam.
However, if you have a disability or health-related needs, you may need extra support or an adjustment on the day of the exam. Examples of special accommodation requests might include:
We call this special accommodation. You'll need to provide documents to show that you need this support or adjustment.
If you'd like to request special accommodation, you'll need a medical certificate from a recognised healthcare worker. This certificate must include:
For details on what we require when you apply, see our Special Accommodation policy.
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Exam in a test centre |
You'll need to show 2 forms of identification (ID). At least one must be an acceptable form of primary ID from the list below. |
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OnVUE online proctored exam |
You'll need to show 1 form of ID. |
Your ID must be valid (unexpired) and also be original, not a photocopy or digital ID.
The name on both forms of your ID must match the name you used to register for your exam.
If you have an issue with any of your ID documents, email us on info@pharmacycouncil.org.au at least 3 business days before the exam to request a pre-approval.
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ID Type |
Requirements |
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Primary ID |
This ID document must be issued by your government and contain:
Types of acceptable primary ID include:
IDs that we cannot accept for online proctored exams:
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Secondary ID (Test centre candidates only) |
This ID document must either contain:
Types of acceptable secondary ID include:
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Step 1
To sit the exam, you must:
PharmBA will verify your registration to confirm you're eligible to sit the exam.
If you're not sure whether you meet the eligibility requirements call PharmBA to check. Do this before you register and pay the fee.
You can choose to sit the exam in one of 2 delivery modes:
You cannot change delivery mode after you've confirmed your appointment. Please see a comparison between test centre and online proctored exams for details.
Test centre exam
If you want to sit your exam in a test centre you can sit in any of the listed cities on the Exams dates and centres page.
OnVUE online proctored exam
If you want to sit the online proctored exam via OnVUE you can sit it anywhere that has:
Candidates sitting the online proctored exam will also need a smart phone to verify their identification and to be contacted by the remote proctor in case of a technical issue.
Step 2
Once registrations open, sign in to our Candidate Portal.
Use the drop-down menu at the top of the Candidate Portal to go to My Dashboard.
Click on 'Book an exam' and enter your:
If you'd like to ask for special accommodation, you'll need to select the option as part of the registration process. You will be prompted to upload your supporting documents.
For example, if you need to, you can request to have a break. All breaks must be scheduled and pre-approved.
We'll review your request and your documents. We'll then email you the outcome of your request.
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Test centre exam |
OnVUE online proctored exam |
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Learn more about the online proctored exam. |
Our exam provider, Pearson VUE, will send you an email to confirm that they've temporarily reserved a session for you. Paying your fee in the next step will secure your session.
Paying the fee secures your seat at the exam.
Please note:
We'll email you a receipt for your payment after we successfully process the order.
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Test centre exam |
You can reschedule your exam to another date and time only during the registration period. |
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Online proctored exam |
You can reschedule your exam up until 1 hour before your exam's scheduled time. |
You cannot change the delivery mode after you've confirmed your appointment. Please see a comparison between test centre and online proctored exams for details.
Step 3
We'll send you a reminder email around 3 days before your exam.
Read this email carefully. It will include:
We offer several resources that will help you prepare to sit the exam. These include:
We also suggest talking with your professional network about how you're preparing for the exam. Their support and advice might help you to perform better.
Step 4
The Intern Written Exam is 'open-book'. This means you can bring:
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Test centre exam |
Bring with you:
For details on what we require as ID, see Exam dates and places. Pearson VUE will provide you with:
Do not bring with you:
During the pandemic, you must bring and wear your own face mask while you’re at the test center and throughout your exam. Read the latest health & safety requirements at Pearson VUE-owned test centers. |
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Online proctored exam |
Bring with you:
For types of ID documents, see Documents. Pearson VUE will provide:
Do not bring with you:
You cannot have blank sheets of paper or notebooks at your desk during the exam. |
You'll have 2 hours to answer 75 questions.
Of these, 67 are scored questions, and 8 are unscored questions.
An additional 15 mins is allowed to familiarise yourself with the exam software, and 5 minutes at the end of the exam to complete a survey.
The Intern Written exam covers 6 content areas.
Learn more about what's in the exam in the Intern Written Exam guide.
The pass standard for the exam is set at a level that demonstrates competency. The pass standard also takes into account the performance of candidates in prior sittings. This analysis of results over previous years ensures fairness and equity over a period of time. The level of difficulty remains constant across time.
You will receive a results certificate indicating your outcome.
Step 5
We'll email you after your results are available. Expect this to be around 2 weeks after the exam.
You'll be able to view and download your results from the Candidate Portal.
We release all results as 'Pass' or 'Unsuccessful' only. We do not release the mark we calculated for your exam.
You can then prepare for the Intern Oral Exam, delivered by the Pharmacy Board of Australia, if you haven't done so already. You may sit this exam before sitting the Intern Written Exam.
You can see how you performed on a scale that displays the level required for a successful outcome. You can find this information in your Candidate Portal.
You can register to sit the exam again during the next exam period. You'll need to pay the fee again when you register.
If you are unsuccessful 3 times, we offer counselling to help you decide your best way forward. Call us on +61 2 6188 4288 or email us on info@pharmacycouncil.org.au to arrange this.
Rules regarding appeals against APC processes can be found in our Appeals Policy.
As an Australian intern you will also need to:
*Please note, you may sit your Intern Oral Exam either before or after your Intern Written exam.
Find out when and where you can next sit the Intern Written Examination
More details