OPRA Exam Eligibility Criteria

OPRA exam, what is this OPRA exam? What is the eligibility of the OPRA exam? Who is it for? Confused with all these questions? Elite expertise has got you covered! In this blog, let's mainly focus on the eligibility criteria of the OPRA exam also covering the other aspects too.

If you're a pharmacist trained outside Australia and you dream of practicing pharmacy here, the Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA™) is a critical step in your journey. International pharmacy graduates are guaranteed to possess the knowledge and abilities needed to meet Australia's strict pharmacy practice standards by passing the OPRA exam. To obtain provisional registration and begin working as a pharmacist in Australia, you must pass this exam.

At Elite Expertise, we guide the pharmacists overseas to prepare for the OPRA exam in the very first attempt. In case you could not clear the exam in your first attempt for any reason, we make sure unlimited access is provided to the course until you pass the OPRA exam.

What is the OPRA Exam?

The OPRA exam is an essential step for overseas-trained pharmacists looking to practice in Australia. It is a computer-based exam that tests your understanding of key areas like biomedical sciences, pharmacology, and patient care, all fundamental to pharmacy practice in Australia. Passing the OPRA exam is a necessary step to obtain provisional registration from the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), allowing you to begin your supervised training and work as a pharmacist in Australia.

Who is Eligible for the OPRA Exam?

Countries like:

• India,

• Pakistan,

• Sri Lanka,

• Nepal,

• Bhutan,

• Africa etc., are eligible for the Knowledge stream of the OPRA exam.

The OPRA exam is designed for pharmacists who have been trained outside of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (USA). To be eligible for the OPRA exam, you must meet the following criteria:

Your pharmacy qualification must be:

• B pharm or,

• M Pharm or,

• Pharm D

• Your pharmacy qualification should cover the fundamental aspects required for pharmacy practice in Australia.

• The qualification should be equivalent to at least 4 years of full-time academic study (if obtained after 1 January 2006) or 3 years (if obtained before 1 January 2006).

• You must be registered or eligible for registration as a pharmacist in the country where you graduated or eligible to start the registration process.

At Elite Expertise, we help you assess your eligibility and provide guidance on the next steps toward taking the OPRA exam.

OPRA Exam Format and the Fee:

• The OPRA exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions

• It is a computer-based and closed-book exam.

• You will have 150 minutes (2.5 hours) to complete the exam.

• The cost for the OPRA exam is AU$2,190.

Before you begin the exam, you’ll have 5 minutes to agree to a non-disclosure agreement and 10 minutes to complete a tutorial. These activities do not count towards your exam time. The timer starts when you see your first question.

Exam Content Areas

The OPRA exam covers five key content areas to assess your readiness for pharmacy practice in Australia. Here’s the breakdown:

These areas ensure that you have a solid understanding of the science behind pharmacy and are prepared to deliver patient care in Australia. Elite Expertise helps you prepare effectively for these areas, ensuring you meet the high standards required.

Scoring and Results

The OPRA exam uses a scaled scoring system to ensure fairness. The passing score is based on psychometric analysis and reflects the minimum standard for provisional registration as an intern pharmacist in Australia. This means you need to perform well across all areas of the exam to pass.

Here’s an important point: Of the 120 questions, 90% are scored, and 10% are unscored questions used for calibration. While the unscored questions don’t affect your result, they’re mixed in with the scored questions, so you won’t know which ones are which.

Why is the OPRA Exam Important?

For overseas-trained pharmacists, passing the OPRA exam is essential to practice pharmacy in Australia. The exam ensures you meet the same high standards as Australian pharmacy graduates, helping maintain high-quality patient care and safety across the country.

Australia has a high demand for pharmacists, with many opportunities in both urban and regional areas. By passing the OPRA exam, you’ll be on your way to gaining provisional registration as an intern pharmacist, which is a crucial step toward your professional success and permanent residency in Australia.

At Elite Expertise, we help you prepare for the OPRA exam by offering study materials, test-taking advice, and support at every stage. In addition, we offer assistance with the skills assessment process, which is a crucial component of preparing for the OPRA exam. You'll be ready to ace this crucial test and begin your fulfilling pharmacy career in Australia with the correct study and assistance.