Pharmacy technician training involves completing both a knowledge qualification/course and a competence qualification* or the combined competence and knowledge-based qualification/course**.
This can be achieved by undertaking GPhC-accredited courses, GPhC-recognised qualifications or GPhC-accredited/recognised apprenticeship pathways.
For more information on the GPhC's accreditation and recognition process, please see the approval process for education and training providers.
* The separate knowledge qualification/course and a competency qualification must be undertaken on or around the same time for the purpose of registration with the GPhC.
** The combined qualification/course is only applicable in relation to qualifications/courses developed to the standards for the initial education and training of pharmacy technicians - October 2017 and is a single qualification/course for the purpose of registration with the GPhC.
Quick links to sections
- Recognised combined qualifications
- Accredited combined programme providers
- Approved apprenticeship pathways
- Qualifications and programmes currently in teach out
- Providers that deliver units for EEA-qualified pharmacy technicians
Recognised combined qualifications
The GPhC recognises the qualifications provided by the following awarding bodies:
Pearson/Edexcel
- Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians
- Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians inc apprenticeship pathway interim report (Feb 2023)
Current recognition period: until end of January 2026
Visit the Pearson/Edexcel website
NCFE Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education
Current recognition period: until end of June 2026
Open Awards
Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice for Pharmacy Technicians
Current recognition period: until end of January 2026
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
- Diploma in Pharmacy Services at SCQF level 7 (GR2H 47) - encompassing the Pharmacy Services at SCQF Level 8, and the PDA in Pharmacy Services at SCQF Level 7
- Change request approval (May 2023)
Current recognition period: until end of May 2026
Accredited combined programme providers
The GPhC accredits the following programme providers to offer pharmacy technician training courses.
Buttercups
Current accreditation period: until end of October 2025
University of East Anglia - Certificate in Higher Education
Current accreditation period: until end of July 2026
Visit University of East Anglia website
Approved apprenticeship pathways
The apprenticeship pathway is made up of qualifications/courses offered by the providers below. These qualifications/course are integrated in terms of the end point assessment (EPA) requirement of the pharmacy technician apprenticeship standard.
Buttercups
Details included in report above.
Current accreditation period: until end of October 2025
Pearson/Edexcel
Details included in interim report above.
Current recognition period: until end of January 2026
University of East Anglia
Details included in report above.
Current accreditation period: until end of July 2026
Visit University of East Anglia website
Open Awards
Apprenticeship pathway - letter
Current accreditation period: until end of January 2026
Qualifications and programmes currently in teach out
The GPhC continues to recognise the following qualifications and programmes for the purpose of registration provided that a trainee was enrolled prior to the dates shown below and completes the qualifications/programmes within the teach out period stated.
Buttercups- knowledge-based course
Current accreditation period: Ended Teach out period valid until 30 September 2023 (for trainees enrolled prior to 11:59 pm 31 August 2019).
National Pharmacy Association (NPA) - knowledge-based course
- Pharmacy technician (knowledge-based) reaccreditation report
- Letter confirming withdrawal and teach out period
Current accreditation period: Ended Teach out period valid until 30 September 2023 (for trainees enrolled prior to 11:59 pm 29 February 2020).
City & Guilds
- Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Knowledge) (500/9959/0)
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Services Skills (Competence) (500/9576/6)
Current recognition period: Ended. Teach out period valid until 30th September 2023 (for trainees enrolled prior to 11:59 pm 30 September 2020).
Pearson/Edexcel
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Knowledge) (500/9939/S)
- Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Pharmacy Service Skills (Competence) (500/9578/X)
Current recognition period: Ended. Teach out period valid until 30 September 2023 (for trainees enrolled prior to 11:59 pm 30 September 2020).
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
- National Certificate in Pharmacy Services (Knowledge) (GA6P 46)
- Level 3 SVQ in Pharmacy Services at SCQF Level 6 (Competence) (GA08 23)
Current recognition period: Ended. Teach out period valid until 30 September 2024.
Providers that are able to deliver units for EEA-qualified pharmacy technicians
Buttercups Training ^
Visit Buttercups Training website
National Pharmacy Association (NPA)^
^ If an application to the GPhC was received prior to 31 December 2020, trainees may be eligible to enroll and undertake specific units of the knowledge-based course if it is for the purpose of meeting education requirements as part of the previous route to registration for EEA-qualified pharmacy technicians.