KAPS exam for New Zealand candidates

To register for the New Zealand KAPS exam, you'll need to upload a scan of a recent photo.

Special accommodation documents

If you have a disability or health-related needs, you may request extra support or an adjustment on the day of the exam. We call this type of support special accommodation.

Examples of special accommodation requests might include:

• more time to complete the exam
• being able to leave the exam room for breaks
• more leg room at your exam desk if you're injured

You'll need to provide evidence to justify your request.

If you'd like to request special accommodation, you'll need a medical certificate from a recognised healthcare worker. This certificate must be issued within 12 months before your exam date. It must include:

• a date of issue
• your name and date of birth
• the recognised healthcare worker's name, profession and contact details
• the specific help you're seeking on the day of the exam

For details on what we require when you apply, see our Special Accommodation Policy.

You'll need to show 2 forms of identification (ID) to enter the exam room and sit the exam.

For details on what we require as ID, see Exam dates and centres.

If you have an issue with any of your ID documents, email us on info@pharmacycouncil.org.au now for advice.

Sign in to your Candidate Portal account

If you're a first-time user, create an account in our Candidate Portal.

If you're a returning user, sign in to your account with your username and password.

1. Navigate to My Dashboard.
2. Select "I want to apply to live or work in New Zealand, not Australia. I am ready to sit the exam."
3. Select the KAPS exam from the drop-down.
4. Wait for an email from us confirming your eligibility.

If you have trouble signing in...

If you cannot sign in, email us on info@pharmacycouncil.org.au. We'll help you to fix the issue.

Do not try to create another account with a different email address. Our system only allows you to have 1 account.

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Get help with your registration if you want to

Anyone can help you fill out forms or give you general help with your registration.

But you may want us to correspond with another person, such as a migration agent or family member, instead of you.

If you want to nominate someone else to work with us, download and fill in our Agent Authorisation form. Both you and your nominated agent must sign it.

Please note that your nominated agent must use a different email address to yours.

You'll need to scan and upload the completed form in your registration where it says 'If you use an agent'.

If you nominate someone else, we'll only talk to your authorised agent about your exam results.

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Check the date of your exam

Go to the Exam dates and centres page to find out where and when the next exam will be.

The KAPS exam includes 2 papers. You must pass both papers to pass the exam.

If this is your first attempt, you must register to sit both papers on the same day.

Make any special accommodation requests

If you'd like to ask for special accommodation, you'll need to email your supporting documents to us on info@pharmacycouncil.org.au for us to assess.

We'll review your documents. If we approve your request, we'll email you extra information before the exam date. If we decline it, we'll email you to let you know.

Register for the exam

1. Once we confirm your eligibility and registrations are open, sign in to the Candidate Portal.
2. Use the drop-down menu at the top of the Candidate Portal to go to My Dashboard.
3. Go to Section 2: 'Register and Complete the KAPS Examination’, then click on 'Book an exam'.
4. Upload a recent, passport-sized photograph.
5. Select your preferred exam centre and date.
6. Click 'Proceed to checkout'.
7. Confirm your details.
8. Agree to our policies.
9. Review the exam booking summary page.
10. Submit your order.

Our exam provider, Pearson VUE, will email you to confirm that they've temporarily reserved a seat for you. Paying your fee in the next step will secure your seat.

Pay the registration fee

Paying the fee secures your seat at the exam.

1. Click on 'Return to APC website'.
2. Click 'Pay now'.
3. Pay the registration fee online.
4. Click 'Confirm payment'.

Please note:

• If you do not complete your payment in time, our system will cancel your booking, and you'll need to start the process again.
• We can only accept payment through credit or debit cards.
• Your credit card must be issued by a bank in your country of residence.

We'll email you a receipt for your payment after we process the order.

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Wait for your exam reminder

We'll send you a reminder email around 3 days before your exam.

Read this email carefully. It will include:

• what you need to know about the exam
• a reminder to check your confirmation email from Pearson VUE
• what time you need to arrive
• how to access practice papers
• what to bring
• what not to bring
• when to expect your results

Prepare for the exam

We offer several resources that will help you prepare to sit the exam. These include:

• an exam guide and practice papers
• an online sample test to show you the exam software

Check what to take to the exam centre

To enter the exam room, you'll need your ID documents.

The KAPS exam is 'closed-book'. This means you can bring with you:

• a calculator that is not internet-capable
• anything on the pre-approved 'Comfort Aid' list

At your desk, Pearson VUE will provide:

• an online calculator
• a whiteboard notebook
• an erasable marker pen

However, at your exam desk, you cannot have:

• any written or reference materials
• a wristwatch
• a mobile phone, tablet or any other electronic device
• pens or pencils

Sit the exam

Exam structure

The KAPS exam includes 2 separate papers. You must sit both papers on the same day, unless you are unsuccessful in a paper in a previous attempt.

Each paper includes 100 multiple choice questions that cover both theory and practice.

You'll have 2 hours to complete each paper, with a scheduled break between them.

Start the second paper at the scheduled time. If you return late from the break, after the second paper begins, you'll have less time to complete it.

An additional 15 mins is allowed to familiarise yourself with the exam tutorial, and 5 minutes at the end of the exam to complete a feedback survey.

Exam content

The 2 papers that make up each KAPS exam are:

• Paper 1: 30% Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 70% Physiology and Pharmacology
• Paper 2: 30% Pharmaceutics and 70% Therapeutics

Exam scoring

You must complete all questions in the paper or papers you sit.

To pass the exam, you need:

• a mark of at least 50% in all subsections of the exam
• an overall mark of at least 50%

Learn more about what's in the exam in the KAPS Examination guide.

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Receive your results

We'll email you or your agent when your results are available. Expect this to be around 2 weeks after you sit the exam.

If you do not see your results in the Candidate Portal, email us on info@pharmacycouncil.org.au and provide your:

• full name
• date of birth
• 6-digit candidate reference number

We release all results as 'Pass' or 'Unsuccessful' only. We do not release the mark we calculated for your exam.

If you are unsuccessful ...

If you were unsuccessful in one or both of the exam papers, you will see a breakdown of your results in your candidate portal.

You are allowed 2 attempts to pass the KAPS exam. Another attempt may be allowed at the discretion of the Registrar. You must pass both papers within a two-year period.

A KAPS result remains valid for 2 years. This may only be extended at the discretion of the Registrar.

You'll need to pay the full fee again when you register.

Rules regarding appeals against APC processes can be found in our Appeals Policy.

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