New Zealand Pharmacist Registration Process for Overseas 2025

For overseas trained pharmacists New Zealand offers excellent opportunities to practice in a growing healthcare system with high quality of life. Understanding the official registration pathway is crucial for a candidate who aims to become a pharmacist in New Zealand. This blog will cover all the processes involved, English language requirements, and details about exams like OPRA. This content will teach you through the step-by-step process and how Elite Expertise can support you in achieving your goal.

What is the Step-by-step pathway to becoming a registered pharmacist in New Zealand?

The Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) regulates the registration of pharmacists in the country. Here is the simplified process:

1. Determine the eligibility: check if you are a REQR (Recognized Equivalent Qualification Route) or a non-REQR applicant

2. Initial assessment or skills assessment

3. Pass the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) examination

4. Enroll in the New Zealand Pharmacist Legislation course (NZPL)

5. Register in the Intern pharmacist scope of practice

6. Complete the EVOLVE intern training program

7. Register as a pharmacist after meeting all requirements

What is the English Language Requirement?

All applicants must prove their English language proficiency. Acceptable tests include:

• IELTS Academic: Minimum overall band score of 7.5, with no individual score below 7.0

• OET (Occupational English Test): B grade in each component

These tests ensure that the pharmacists can safely communicate and provide care for the native patients.

💡 Related Read:

What is the English language score required for an overseas pharmacist to get registered with AHPRA

What is the Non-REQR Pharmacists Pathway?

Pharmacists from countries outside the recognized countries list (India, Pakistan, Philippines, etc.) are classified as non-REQR. These applicants must:

• Undergo initial eligibility assessment by PCNZ.

• Sit for the OPRA Exam

• Complete the rest of the steps and complete the EVOLVE program before becoming a registered pharmacist.

How to do the Initial application & licensing exam?

1. Submit the documents to PCNZ for assessment

2. Prepare thoroughly with the right resources and guidance (Elite Expertise is here to help you)

3. Upon approval, attempt the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam

4. Once the exam is cleared & all the other requirements are fulfilled, apply for the EVOLVE Internship program

Key features of the OPRA exam:

• Candidates who have a bachelor's degree or higher are eligible

• Proof of active registration with the pharmacy council of your home country or eligibility to apply is mandatory

• Experience in the field is not mandatory.

• It is a multiple-choice exam consisting of 120 questions on a single paper

• The exam takes around 2.5 hours to complete

• Computer-based online examination

• The cost of the examination is AUD 2190.00

• The validity of the examination is 3 years

• There is no limit to the number of attempts

• There is no age limit for attempting the OPRA exam. However, for visa applications, 45 years old is the age limit.

💡 Related Read:

OPRA Exam Syllabus Details

What is the NZ pharmacist legislation course?

After clearing the OPRA Examination, the overseas graduates must enroll and complete NZ pharmacist legislation course. This course will help candidates to understand the law, ethics, regulations that are present in NZ pharmacies.

What is the Intern Pharmacist's Scope of Practice?

This is an important step that enables candidates to understand the practices that are happening in a NZ pharmacy under the guidance of an experienced licensed pharmacist. It ensures that they will build crucial skills and the knowledge to practice safely in NZ in near future.

What is the EVOLVE Internship program?

After successfully clearing the OPRA Exam and the NZ pharmacist legislation course, submit your application to get intern pharmacist registration and pay fees. Then enroll in a One-year EVOLVE internship program which includes practical training, assessments, workshops, and mentorship from a fully registered pharmacist.

How do you register with the Pharmacy Council of NZ?

After completing the supervised practice, apply for the Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) and register with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand to begin practice as a pharmacist in New Zealand.

What is the scope of pharmacists in New Zealand?

Pharmacists in NZ are responsible for:

• Dispensing medication

• Provide clinical advice or counseling

• Conducting medication reviews

• Support public health

Advanced practice roles also include vaccination, disease management, and prescribing in certain cases.

What will be the estimated cost for overseas applicants?

Why choose Elite Expertise for your NZ pharmacist Exam journey?

Elite Expertise is a leading online training institute committed to guiding overseas pharmacists through the licensing process for New Zealand. Here's why it's the best choice:

• Expert Faculty: Learn from qualified educators who are currently working consultant clinical pharmacists in Australian Hospitals. Mr. Arief Mohammad & Mrs. Harika BHeemavarapu, bring their real life experience to the lectures making it engaging and up to date.

• Flexible mode of learning: more than 80+ lectures (available both live & reordered) were 100+ case studies are discussed.

• Exam-focused training: Get access to high-yield materials, mock tests, and live doubt-clearing sessions

• Personalized mentorship: Receive one-on-one guidance tailored to your background and learning pace

• Proven track record: hundreds of students have successfully cleared their OPRA exam on the first go under the guidance of Elite Expertise

💡 Related Read:

Pharmacist Salary in NZ | Elite Expertise

Conclusion:

Registering as a pharmacist in NZ may seem challenging, but with the right strategy and expert coaching, it is absolutely achievable. From passing a licensing exam like OPRA to completing the EVOLVE internship, the journey is tough, but with proper guidance and support one can easily conquer it.

Elite Expertise provides the knowledge, mentorship and the support each candidate needs to make their dream into reality, a dream of becoming a registered pharmacist in New Zealand.

Start your journey with us today, a trusted partner in global pharmacist licensure!

⚠️ Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only. While Elite Expertise strives to keep the content accurate and up to date, registration requirements, fees, and procedures may change at any time at the discretion of the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand and other regulatory authorities. Readers are strongly advised to consult official sources or the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand directly for the most current and accurate information.

About the Author

Krupa Karamchand

Content Writer | Elite Expertise

Krupa Karamchand is a B. Pharm graduate and KAPS-qualified pharmacist with over 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. As an experienced SEO content writer, she combines her in-depth healthcare knowledge with proven digital strategies to create informative, engaging, and search engine–optimized blogs. Krupa is passionate about making complex medical topics easy to understand and accessible to all readers.

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