This page shows you how to register for the KAPS exam. Passing this exam is a step in the process to become a registered pharmacist with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.
This pathway is for candidates who want to practise pharmacy in New Zealand.
You can register to sit the KAPS exam if you:
Key dates: see Exam dates and centres
Cost: AU$2230 per attempt
To register for the New Zealand KAPS exam, you'll need to upload a scan of a recent photo.
Your photo must be:
The uploaded photo:
If you usually cover your head for religious reasons, or you wear facial jewellery, your photo can include these items.
.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:
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:
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.
Step 1
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.
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.
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.
Step 2
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.
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.
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.
Paying the fee secures your seat at the exam.
Please note:
We'll email you a receipt for your payment after we process the order.
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:
Step 4
To enter the exam room, you'll need your ID documents.
The KAPS exam is 'closed-book'. This means you can bring with you:
At your desk, Pearson VUE will provide:
However, at your exam desk, you cannot have:
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.
The 2 papers that make up each KAPS exam are:
You must complete all questions in the paper or papers you sit.
To pass the exam, you need:
Learn more about what's in the exam in the KAPS Examination guide.
Step 5
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:
We release all results as 'Pass' or 'Unsuccessful' only. We do not release the mark we calculated for your exam.
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.
Once you've passed the New Zealand KAPS exam, you can:
Learn about our policy for refunds, and the situations where we'll consider offering them
More details