PSI Ireland Exam for Indian Pharmacists

For Indian pharmacist aspiring to practise abroad, Ireland provides with great opportunities. If you are aiming to build a successful pharmacy career abroad, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the regulatory body responsible for the registration of pharmacists in Ireland. This process falls under "Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) pathway." For overseas-qualified pharmacists—including those from India—this a multi-step process where clearing the PSI’s qualification recognition process is an essential step towards working as a licensed pharmacist in Ireland.

Key aspects that you’ll here:

• PSI Eligibility

• Application steps

• Why Ireland is the choice for Indian pharmacists

• Differences in the old and new process.

• Exams for PSI registration.

• Tips for Indian pharmacists planning to register in Ireland.

Why Choose Ireland for Your Pharmacy Career?

There are many reasons for Indian pharmacists to get attracted towards a pharmacy career in Ireland and a few of them are listed for you to guide you through the decision of why choose Ireland:

• Unlike India, Ireland offers competitive salaries and quality work-life balance

• High standards of living when compared to India.

• Even in the economic turndowns, the healthcare sector in Ireland is has been robust and resilient.

• The shortage of skilled professionals like Pharmacists have a great demand in both urban and rural regions.

• Opportunities in hospital, community, and clinical pharmacy

• The registration process of Ireland via the PSI is more streamlined, easy and less time consuming in comparison to the other countries.

• A gateway to work opportunities across the EU (post-registration)

• It is a global hub of the pharmaceutical companies. It is the home country of about 85 pharma companies with 19 out of top 20 companies operating here.

• Approximately 50 FDA-approved manufacturing plants are present in Ireland proving its dedication and commitment to international quality standards in pharmaceutical production.

💡 Related Read:

8 Benefits of Passing PSI Exam for Pharmacists in 2025 | Elite Expertise

Step-by-Step Pathway for Indian Pharmacists

1. Eligibility Check

• Indian pharmacy graduates with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or MPharm or PharmD degree from a recognised institution are eligible

• A valid pharmacist registration in India (e.g., from PCI or State Pharmacy Council)

• English language proficiency (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, CAE or OET Pharmacy accepted)--could add this as TOEFL iBT and CAE are also accepted

2. Apply for Qualification Recognition: Stage 1

As a first step you need to submit an application to the PSI for recognition of your qualifications. This is a mandatory step for not only Indian pharmacists but all the countries fall under the TCQR pathway or Third Country Qualification Recognition Pathway.

For those do don’t know about the TCQR pathway, it's the official process managed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) for pharmacists who obtained their pharmacy degree and training in a country outside of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA).

Documents required:

• Academic transcripts

• Degree certificates

• Proof of registration as a pharmacist in India

• Passport copy

• Statement of professional experience (if any)

You will submit these through the PSI Recognition of Non-EU Qualification process.

To Apply for qualification process please download the relevant application forms from the following links:

TCQR1 Application Form

TCQR2 Statutory Declaration Form

TCQR3 Certificate of Identity Form

TCQR4 Regulatory Data Form

3. Holistic Assessment:

What happens after I submit my application?

Stage 2: Holistic assessment where if an applicant possesses a qualification appropriate for practice, independent external assessors will carry out holistic paper-based assessments of the application and supporting documentation.

The assessment will consider three components:

Input component: assess the qualification of the applicant and training that they have gone through during education.

Quality component: The quality assurance components of the regulatory system in place in the country where the applicant’s qualification was obtained, for example, whether the applicant’s primary qualification was accredited

Output component: Assesses th applicant’s relevant post-graduate education, work experience and continuing professional development.

• The input and quality component are assessed by external assessor.

• If they are considered equivalent to Irish standards next step is assessing the Output component.

After reviewing your documents, PSI may:

• Grant automatic recognition (rare for non-EU degrees)- PATH A

• Direct you to take an equivalency exam- PATH B

• Refer you to the Third Country Qualification Recognition (TCQR) process, which includes a written exam and practical assessment

Indian pharmacists are usually required to complete the TCQR process.

4. PATH B:

If there are any deficiency in your application you can go through examination stage

If required, you will be asked to appear for:

• Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) test: Computer-based test covering pharmaceutical knowledge, clinical practice, and Irish pharmacy law.

• Objective Structural Clinical Examination (OSCE): May include practical style clinical stations assessing the simulated real life case studies.

5. Certification of registration:

After successfully completing all exam you can apply for full registration with the PSI.

Once registered, you can work as a pharmacist in Ireland and even explore mobility across the European Union under mutual recognition agreements.

English Language Requirements

Majority of the Indian pharmacists find difficulty with the language as English is not the native language. Therefore, one must prove the English language proficiency through tests accepted by PSI as communication is the key for this job role.

Indian pharmacists must demonstrate proficiency in English via:

• IELTS Academic: Overall score ≥ 7.0, no band < 6.5

• OET Pharmacy: Minimum B grade in all sub-tests

Job Prospects in Ireland for Pharmacists

Once registered, you can apply for roles such as:

• Community Pharmacist

• Hospital Pharmacist

• Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

• Regulatory Affairs roles

• Academic and Research positions

Tips for Indian Pharmacists

• Keep all your academic and registration documents in order

• Start preparing early for PSI’s written and clinical assessments

• Improve communication skills for patient-facing roles

• Consider guidance from professional coaching or mentoring platforms like Elite Expertise for exam and adaptation support

How Elite Expertise Can Help

• At Elite Expertise, we support Indian pharmacists with:

• PSI exam guidance

• Comprehensive material for preparation

• Guidance with document evaluation

• Career counselling for Ireland and other countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand) just to support the students. Avail this service talk to our 24*7 available admin team to get best options for you

• One to one doubt consultation sessions

• Mock tests curated for PSI exams

Conclusion

Working abroad is every man’s dream in India. The respect for the pharmacists attracts the Indian even more. The process is tough but you could achieve it with right guidance and preparation. Indian pharmacists can successfully register and build a rewarding career in Ireland via the TCQR process. With high demand for skilled professionals, Ireland remains one of the most promising destinations for internationally trained pharmacists.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This blog is for informational purposes only and reflects our views and interpretations. While we strive for accuracy, licensing requirements and regulations may change. Readers are advised to verify information with official sources such as the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) before making any decisions. We do not assume responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided.

About the Author

Sahana Rao

Sahana Chinthapatla is renowned for her expertise in scientific and medical writing, backed by an MPharm in Pharmacology and years of experience in research analysis and scientific writing.

As the Head Business Writer at Elite Expertise, she provides insightful and well-researched content on KAPS, OPRA, PEBC, PSI and global pharmacy pathways, guiding aspiring pharmacists in their professional journeys.

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Head Business Writer | Elite Expertise