Key takeaways:

• For overseas trained pharmacists, the OPRA exam is mandatory for pharmacy students who wish to become a registered pharmacist in Australia.

• For pharmacists who clear OPRA exam can work at Australia & New Zealand

• OPRA exam is not recognised in countries like UK, Canada, or Ireland

• Structured preparation and mock tests are significant for successfully clearing the examination

Introduction

For pharmacists who wish to work as a registered pharmacist in Australia or New Zealand, the OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) exam is a crucial milestone. This exam was previously known as KAPS exam.

From March 2025, the OPRA exam was introduced by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC).This Exam evaluates the ability of international pharmacists to practice safely and effectively in the Australian healthcare system.

There will be several doubts for students who are preparing for the OPRA Exam such as what happens after passing OPRA? Which countries accept the OPRA exam, and how does it benefit an aspiring pharmacist for their global career?

This comprehensive guide explores OPRA recognition worldwide, its benefits, and how you can prepare for success

Lets understand:

What is the OPRA Exam?

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) is a licensure exam conducted by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). It tests whether international pharmacists are ready to provide safe and effective care for the Australian and New Zealand healthcare systems.

This exam was introduced in March 2025. Previously, the KAPS exam was conducted to evaluate the readiness of overseas pharmacists. Later, OPRA replaced the KAPS exam. The OPRA exam focuses more on clinical application, patient-oriented care, and problem-solving skills of an overseas pharmacist, which are essential.

What are the Eligibility criteria of the OPRA Exam?

To apply for the OPRA Exam, candidates must:

• Have at least a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree or a Master of Pharmacy. (Diploma graduates are not eligible)
  

• Candidates should provide a valid degree certificate from a recognised university.
  

• They should show proof of active registration (or eligibility to register) with their home country’s pharmacy council.
  

• For attempting OPRA, Experience is not mandatory.
  

• There is no age limit and no cap on attempts.

What is the OPRA Exam structure 2025?

Which countries recognize the OPRA Exam for pharmacists ?

For pharmacists who successfully clear the OPRA exam, it's very mandatory to understand the recognition process of the examinations.

A comparison with Other pharmacy licensing exams?

The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) exam focuses mainly on practical and clinical decisions , while PEBC and OSPAP pathways involve more extensive training and internships with OSCE type of examination. NAPLEX emphasizes more on therapeutic knowledge.

What are the benefits of passing OPRA for Pharmacists

• Career Mobility in Countries like Australia & New Zealand. It Opens direct registration in New Zealand & Australia as an intern pharmacist and starts their early careers which will eventually boost international job prospects.

• Clearing the OPRA exam will make them eligible to aim for a rewarding career with Competitive Salary. Pharmacists in Australia earn attractive wages compared to many other countries.

• There is proper Work-Life Balance in the healthcare sector in Australia which offers excellent working conditions and opportunities for permanent residents

• The healthcare profession is highly reputed in Australia. Pharmacist is a Prestigious service who are considered as frontline healthcare professionals. OPRA is internationally respected and sets them as a skilled practitioner.

What are the preparation strategies for the OPRA Exam?

Here are some proven tips to successfully clear the OPRA exam on the first attempt:

• Candidates must thoroughly understand the syllabus & format.

• They should practice 120 MCQs regularly with a simulated timed condition like a real exam.

• Applicants should focus on time management during mock tests.

• Practice to solve case-based scenarios with clinical decision-making skills.

• Enroll in expert-guided, comprehensive OPRA prep courses like Elite Expertise.

• Track the progress with weekly study reviews.

Conclusion:

The OPRA exam is the test that evaluates the readiness of international pharmacists who aim to work as pharmacists in Australia. This exam is the mandatory first step for foreign graduates. This exam is recognised in Australia and New Zealand. Students with strategic preparation and expert guidance , they can easily clear the exam on the first attempt.

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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