GPhC recognises OET test as evidence of English language skills for pharmacy professionals

The General Pharmaceutical Council has revised its guidance on evidence of English language skills to include the Pharmacy Occupational English Language Test (OET) as evidence of English language competence 

Applicants to the register of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will now be able to use a recent pass of the Pharmacy Occupational English Language Test (OET) as evidence of English language competence, providing an alternative to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

The GPhC’s governing council approved the changes following a period of public consultation last autumn. In the consultation, 96% of respondents agreed with the proposal to accept the OET. The GPhC will continue to accept a recent pass of IELTS as evidence where applicants have opted to take this test instead.

Individuals taking the Pharmacy OET will be required to score at least a B in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking in English at one sitting of the test. This is equivalent to the GPhC’s current requirement for a recent pass of the academic version of IELTS with an overall score of at least 7 and with no score less than 7 in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking at one sitting of the test.

The revised guidance on required evidence of English language skills for pharmacy professionals is published on the GPhC website