Independent prescriber education and training

A pharmacist independent prescriber may prescribe autonomously for any condition within their clinical competence. This currently excludes three controlled drugs to treat addiction.

To qualify as an independent prescriber, you must complete one of our accredited courses. On successful completion of the course, you’ll receive a practice certificate in independent prescribing and be eligible to apply to our register.

An accredited independent prescribing course typically takes six months to complete. The course is part-time and often delivered through a combination of face-to-face teaching sessions (often one day a week) and self-study.

Some universities offer distance learning courses, but with a minimum of 26 days of teaching time. Each pharmacist must successfully complete at least 12 days (90 hours) of learning in a practice environment under the supervision of a designated prescribing practitioner.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for independent prescribing courses  are set out in in our new standards for the education and training of pharmacist independent prescribers. Course providers may require additional entry requirements, so it’s best to check with your chosen place of study.

Pharmacists must have relevant experience in a UK pharmacy setting and be able to recognise, understand and articulate the skills and attributes required by a prescriber to act as the foundation of their prescribing practice whilst training.

See the standards for the education and training of pharmacist independent prescribers

Read the guidance to support the implementation of the standards
 

Related content

Becoming an independent prescriber
Pharmacist education and training
Students and trainees
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Search courses

Use the search below to find specific independent prescriber courses. You can use the filters in the left to find different types of courses, or search by location.

Glyndwr University

Queen’s University Belfast

Reading, University of

Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen)

Swansea University

Wolverhampton, University of

Independent prescribing course

Approved to use revised entry requirements**- No

Approval status
Currently approved
Accreditation period
Jan 2022 - July 2025* (six months extension granted from Jan 2025)
Provider

Bangor University

Bolton, University of

Buckinghamshire New University

Chester, University of

Cumbria, University of

Derby, University of

Exeter, University of

Portsmouth, University of

Hull, University of

Leeds, University of

London South Bank University

Northern Ireland Centre for Pharmacy Learning and Development (NICPLD)

Open University (Milton Keynes)

Plymouth, University of

Salford, University of

South Wales, University of

West of England, University of the

Winchester, University of

Edge Hill University

Leicester, University of

Bath, University of

University College London

Aston University (Birmingham)

Sheffield Hallam University

Strathclyde (Glasgow), University of

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

Suffolk, University of

Coventry University

Keele University

Brighton, University of

Hertfordshire, University of

Sunderland, University of

East Anglia (Norwich), University of

Cardiff University

Birmingham, University of

Independent prescribing course

School of Pharmacy

Approval status
Currently approved
Accreditation period
Feb 2022 - Feb 2026* (*twelve months extension issued from Feb 2025)
Provider

Bradford, University of

Central Lancashire (Preston), University of

De Montfort University (Leicester)

Huddersfield, University of

King's College, University of London

Lincoln, University of

Liverpool John Moores University

Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Greenwich and Kent

Manchester, University of

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