This pathway is for candidates who want to practise pharmacy in New Zealand.
This page provides information on how to register and prepare for the OPRA™ (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) exam.
This exam launches March 2025.
The OPRA™ (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) exam will replace the KAPS exam after November 2024. See what the key differences are.
The OPRA™ exam will test your readiness and understanding of pharmaceutical sciences. Passing it confirms that you know enough to practise safely and effectively in an Aotearoa New Zealand setting.
It is an important step in the process of provisional registration as a pharmacist in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Duration of exam: 2.5 hours, 120 questions in total.
Cost: $2190 - Learn more about exam fees
Eligibility: You can register to sit the OPRA™ exam if you have received confirmation from the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) that you're eligible to sit the exam
The following data is shared with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand:
Registration period |
Exam dates |
Results released |
9 January - 31 January 2025 |
3 - 5 March 2025 |
1 April 2025 |
8 April - 16 June 2025 |
14 - 16 July 2025 |
12 August 2025 |
19 August - 27 October 2025 |
24 - 26 November 2025 |
22 December 2025 |
Seats may become available due to cancellations from other candidates. You can reschedule your exam in the candidate portal if your preferred test centre becomes available.
You can sit our exams in the following cities.
Country |
City |
Argentina |
Buenos Aires |
Botswana |
Gaborone |
Canada |
Toronto, Montreal |
Egypt |
Cairo and surrounding areas Giza |
Fiji |
Suva |
Finland |
Espoo, Helsinki |
Ghana |
Legon |
Greece |
Athens |
Hong Kong SAR |
Hong Kong |
India |
Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Noida |
Jamaica |
Kingston |
Kenya |
Nairobi |
Malaysia |
Kuala Lumpur |
Nepal |
Birtamode |
New Zealand |
Auckland, Wellington |
Oman |
Muscat |
Pakistan |
Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and surrounding areas |
Peru |
Lima |
Philippines |
Manila |
Poland |
Krakow |
Qatar |
Doha |
Saudi Arabia |
Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh |
Singapore |
Singapore |
Spain |
Madrid |
South Africa |
Johannesburg, Cape Town |
Sri Lanka |
Colombo, Western Province |
Taiwan |
Kaohsiung, Taipei City |
Thailand |
Bangkok |
Türkiye |
Istanbul |
United Arab Emirates |
Dubai and surrounding areas |
United Kingdom |
London |
Zimbabwe |
Harare |
You will need to have received your completion of initial consideration of the Non-REQR registration process from the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ).
Registrations open at 9am and close at 5pm AEDT/AEST. Check these times in your local time zone with a time zone converter. They close about one month before exam day.
We cannot accept any late registrations.
Some locations fill up fast, so we suggest booking your exam as soon as possible when registrations open. You can choose an alternative test centre if your preferred centre is full.
We'll send you a reminder email around 5 days before your exam.
Every test-taker is different. It is important we provide equitable access to testing. If you'd like to ask for special accommodation, you can select the option as part of the registration process. You will be prompted to upload your supporting documents.
We'll review your request and your documents. We'll then email you the outcome of your request within 7 business days. If your request is approved, we will direct you to Pearson VUE to arrange the request details.
Your appointment date and time may change to allow for your request.
Read more about special accommodation.
You will be prompted to upload a headshot. It can be 'selfie'.
Your headshot must be:
If you usually cover your head for religious reasons, or you wear facial jewellery, your photo can include these items.
You must pay the fee at the time of registration, if payment is not received your seat will be released.
Please note:
You can reschedule your exam in your Candidate Portal.
You can reschedule it to another date and time for the current session and only during the registration period.
You can cancel and request a refund for any reason, however it is subject to our approval and will incur a cancellation fee. The amount you receive depends on when you cancel your exam.See partial refund amounts.
Read our refund policy carefully for details.
You will need to cancel your exam in your Candidate Portal.
Familiarise yourself with the exam and be prepared for the day of your exam.
Study using our study guide.
We'll email you when your results are available. Refer to exam dates and locations for release dates.
You'll be able to view and download your results from the Candidate Portal. Results will state whether you passed or were unsuccessful. No further details will be provided, as this is a registration exam.
Sometimes candidates need more than one attempt to pass the OPRA™ Exam. Don't give up! Talk to your friends, colleagues and family and work out how best to prepare for the next exam.
You can register to sit the exam again during the next exam period. When it opens register in Candidate Portal. You will need to pay the full registration fee again when you register.
You have 2 attempts to pass the exam, any further attempts are at the discretion of PCNZ.
Once you've passed the OPRA™ exam, you can use it to support your application to the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand for registration.