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Registering as a pharmacist

The criteria for initial registration as a pharmacist describes the education, training and experience requirements for initial registration as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council. You can apply to register with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a pharmacist if you:

Until 26 September 2012, you can also apply to register on the basis of a previous registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB).

If you were on the RPSGB's practising register at the time of transition to the GPhC, your registration will have been automatically transferred to the GPhC register. If your registration was not automatically transferred to the GPhC, because, for example, you were on the RPSGB's non-practising register, you can apply to register with the GPhC, but you will need to make sure you meet the requirements for registration before you apply.

The GPhC has determined that any former RPSGB registrant who had been on the practising register at some point from January 2005 but were not on Part 1 of the RPSGB register at the time of establishment of the GPhC will not be required to complete additional education, training or experience if they apply to register by 26 September 2012.

How to apply

A basic guide to the process of registering as a pharmacist. A good guide to print out and keep.

GPhC registration guidance 2011 [PDF 160.84 KB]

Which route do I use to register?

Registration forms and information varies depending on which country you gained your qualifications in:

UK-recognised pharmacist qualifications for pharmacists who completed their training in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

EEA-qualified pharmacists for nationals of EEA countries who qualified as a pharmacist in an EEA country other than the UK.

Overseas (non-EEA) qualified pharmacists for pharmacists who qualified overseas (non-EEA) or nationals of non-EEA countries with an EEA pharmacist’s qualification (other than a UK pharmacy qualification).

Renewals for those already registered but wishing to renew their registration.