We have compiled answers to key questions about the temporary register, set up in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Categorised by theme, use the links below to navigate to the relevant section.
Last reviewed 20 March 2023.
Practical considerations
Information for employers
Read our policy on temporary registration arrangements [PDF 156 KB]
Practical considerations
What are the requirements for temporary registrants?
Anyone entered temporarily on the register is required to meet the standards for pharmacy professionals and have the appropriate indemnity insurance.
Read our policy on temporary registration arrangements [PDF 156 KB] for further information about the requirements.
Do I have to pay a fee to be on the temporary register?
No, you do not have to pay any fee to temporarily return to the register.
What would happen if a fitness to practise concern was raised about me while I am practising on the temporary register?
Where a concern is raised about a pharmacy professional with temporary registration, it will be considered on the specific facts of the case, taking into account the factors relevant to the environment in which the professional is working and the risk to patient and public safety. We will also take account of any relevant information about resource, guidelines or protocols in place at the time.
The fitness to practise concern process for temporary registrants
We will quickly assess the nature and extent of the risk to patient safety. This will be done by undertaking a swift and thorough review of the available evidence to understand the seriousness of the concern and if there is a real risk to patients. We will assess whether the professional is able to carry out their role safely and effectively or whether continuing to allow temporary registration would undermine trust and confidence in the professions.
Once we have reviewed the evidence, we will administratively remove a professional with temporary registration if the evidence suggests that removal is:
- necessary to protect the public
- otherwise in the public interest
- in the interests of the pharmacy professional
Administrative removal means that the registrar will immediately remove the person from the temporary register and they will no longer be able to practise as a pharmacy professional.
If we decide to not administratively remove then the professional will be eligible to remain in practice until the need for temporary professionals passes and they are removed with all others.
Find out more about how we will deal with concerns about pharmacy professionals with temporary registration in our guidance.
How do I leave the temporary register?
If you want your name to be removed from the temporary register, you can fill in a survey to tell us you want to leave.
Can I join the temporary register?
After the initial set up of the temporary register in March 2020, if you want to work or volunteer as a pharmacy professional in response to the Covid pandemic and using temporary registration, you should email us and we will consider your application to join the temporary register on a case by case basis.
Can I leave and rejoin the temporary register?
If you leave the temporary register and later want to work or volunteer in a role as a pharmacy professional in response to the Covid pandemic and using temporary registration, we will consider your application to join the temporary register on a case by case basis.
Can I join the temporary register while I wait for my full registration application to be processed?
The temporary register was set up in response to the COVID-19 emergency and is not intended as a stop-gap while applying to return to the register.
How long will the temporary register continue?
The UK Government has asked the General Pharmaceutical Council to keep our temporary register open until 2024.
We will contact all those on the temporary register to inform them in advance of the date when the temporary register will close once a date is agreed.
Information for employers
I’m an employer - what do I need to do if I want to employ someone on the temporary register?
If you are a pharmacy owner or employer, when employing a pharmacy professional on the temporary register, you must make sure:
- the person’s name appears on the temporary register
- you carry out appropriate identity checks for all staff they employ
- all staff have the right knowledge, skills and competence for their role and the tasks they carry out, including in relation to their English language skills
- all staff have appropriate indemnity insurance for the tasks they carry out, including pharmacy professionals on the temporary register
- all staff they employ are fit to practise in that particular role
See our guidance for employers on their responsibilities [PDF 169 KB] if they employ a pharmacy professional on the temporary register.
Information on how we will manage concerns about professionals with temporary registration is available here. [PDF 164 KB]