We set standards for the education and training of pharmacists who are on our register. This is to make sure that registered pharmacists are competent to practice safely and effectively.
On this page you’ll find the different sets of standards and guidance for the education of pharmacists. Click on the links below to read about the different standards.
In 2021, we published updated standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists, so that newly qualified pharmacists can play a much more active role in providing clinical care to patients and the public from their first day on the register, including prescribing medicines.
See the 2021 standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists
Read the guidance to support the implementation of the standards
These standards describe the knowledge and skills pharmacist independent prescribers will achieve during their education and training, and our requirements for course providers.
Standards for the education and training of pharmacist independent prescribers
MPharm students who began year 1 of their studies before 2021 are currently being taught on courses which meet these standards, introduced in May 2011.
The standards set out the knowledge, skills, understanding and professional behaviours students and trainee pharmacists must demonstrate to pass their initial education and training and join our register. The standards also set out the requirements for education and training providers.
See the standards for the initial education and training of pharmacists
These standards set out the criteria against which we will approve education and training for non-EEA pharmacists who want to register in Great Britain. The standards make sure that pharmacists from outside of the EEA are competent to practise safely and effectively.
Standards for the education and training of non-EEA pharmacists