Documents for Pharmacist Qualification Recognition in Ireland

Introduction:

The pharmacists who obtained their pharmacy degree from a country outside of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) will need to get through a process that involves a comprehensive application process by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) in order to become a pharmacist in Ireland. In this blog, let’s discuss in detail about the documents required and the guidelines required to streamline this process of your application.

Documents Required:

In order to get your qualifications recognized by the PSI, the candidate must provide the following documents:

1. TCQR1 Application Form:

• This is an official application form for the Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) process.

• Submission Details: In case of non-completion of the application within 6 months, it may lead to expiry.

2. TCQR 2 or Certificate of Identity Form:

• This form verifies the applicant's or the candidate’s identity.

• Submission Details: Similar to TCRQ1 document this form would expire if not completed within 6 months.

3. TCQR 3 or Statutory Declaration Form:

• This is a sworn declaration form which confirms the authenticity of your information submitted.

• Submission Guidelines: This declaration should be completed in an Irish Embassy or Consulate in the presence of a peace commissioner, solicitor, or commissioner for oaths in Ireland, or a consular official.

4. Birth Certificate:

· A copy of the candidate’s birth certificate confirms the official name and date of birth.

5. Marriage Certificate (only if applicable):

· This document is only applicable to candidates who wish to register under the married name.

6. Passport:

· A copy of your current valid passport with all pages.

· No expired passports will be accepted.

7. Curriculum Vitae (CV):

· A detailed resume with the candidate’s education qualifications, work experience, accomplishments, and awards.

8. Evidence of Formal Qualification as a Pharmacist:

· A copy of the candidate’s degree, parchment, or registration certificate which confirms the successful completion of the pharmacy qualification.

Documents to be provided by the third parties

The following are the documents that must be sent directly to the PSI by relevant authorities or educational institutions.

1) Professional Status Certificates:

· A certificate from the relevant authority in every country where the candidates are qualified or have worked as a pharmacist.

· Confirms your registration, professional standing, and qualification status.

· Validity: This certificate is valid only for 3 months from the issue date.

2) TCQR 4 or Regulatory Data Form :

· This form should be completed by the relevant authority in the country where the candidate obtained his/her pharmacy qualification.

· Purpose: Provides information required to fulfill the Quality Component of the holistic assessment.

· Should be submitted directly to PSI by the authority.

3) Qualification Documents as a Pharmacist :

These documents to be sent by the candidate’s university or educational institute directly to the PSI:

· Academic Transcripts: with the details of the candidate’s under graduation program.

· Programme Syllabus: The official syllabus relevant to the program you completed.

4) Internship Certificate/Letter:

· This is a certificate or letter with the details of all internship or practical training undertaken during the candidate’s undergraduate qualification.

· Submission: Must come directly from the university or relevant authority to the PSI.

5) Post-Qualification Education, Training, and Work Experience Supporting Documents:

· Certificates, transcripts and detailed course content copies of for education or training completed after qualification.

· These documents are required for holistic assessment process to understand if additional steps are required for recognition (Path A or Path B).

6) Translations of Documents That are Not in English :

· All the certificates that are not in english should be translated to English before submission by a qualified translator with a sign, stamp, and date the document.

7) Proof of Refugee or Protection Status (only if applicable) :

· Candidates who are granted refugee, temporary protection, or subsidiary protection in Ireland must provide official documents such as:

Ø IP Blue Card.

Ø A temporary protection letter from the Department of Justice.

Key Notes:

For a smoother application process, the candidate must ensure that all required documents are complete, valid, and submitted according to the guidelines. Below are a few tips:

· Start Early: It is important to start early, as some documents must be issued directly from institutions or authorities, and sufficient time for processing should be allowed.

· Double-Check the Requirements: The candidate must ensure that all documents are signed and completed correctly to avoid delays.

· Maintain Communication: Follow up with third parties on a regular basis to confirm they have sent the documents directly to the PSI.

· Provide Certified Translations: All the non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator only.

With the above checklist, you can maintain confidence in the journey of the PSI's qualification recognition process and move towards the next step towards practicing pharmacy in Ireland.

Please visit the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland's official website for more information.

For further assistance regarding the document evaluation or any steps regarding how to become a pharmacist in Ireland, please contact Elite Expertise, and our team will be more than happy to be a part of your journey.