• The OPRA exam is the licensure and registration examination for Australia as well as New Zealand. 

• While the exam is the same for both countries, the registration process and the eligibility criteria are slightly different. 

• Both Australia and New Zealand offer outstanding job and career prospects for global pharmacists with a streamlined process. 

Registering as a pharmacist in Australia and New Zealand is quite similar because of the same licensure examination, which is the OPRA exam. however, there are some significant differences, which you must know if you are choosing New Zealand over Australia. In this article, we will tell you all about the OPRA examination for New Zealand, which will help you prepare for the process if you choose this country over Australia.

Previously known as KAPS, the OPRA exam is a significant licensure examination for a global pharmacist who wants to make their way in the healthcare set-up of New Zealand. The single-paper test is comprehensive enough to ensure fairness and overall testing of overseas-trained pharmacists.

The exam is a single paper between 120. Multiple choice questions, which the candidates need to complete in 2.5 hours. The syllabus of the exam focuses on therapeutics and clinical applications, and the OPRA exam uses Rasch methodology for testing. 

The eligibility for New Zealand is different than that for Australia. The major difference is that while Australia demands no experience for registration, New Zealand expects pharmacist to have some prior experience before entering their healthcare setup. Here is the detailed eligibility criteria-

• B.Pharm or Pharm.D degree from a recognised institute

• Active registration in the home country or any other country

• A minimum of one year of experience in retail or hospital pharmacy.

Let us now move on to the process of becoming a registered pharmacist in New Zealand. The process is a little different from that of Australia and is known as the Non-Recognised Equivalent Qualifications Route (Non-REQR). Here are the steps involved-

The PCNZ, or the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand, conducts the initial assessment to ensure that the pharmacists are eligible to take the OPR examination. In this process, the candidates must get their qualifications and experience assessed by the PC NZ. The cost of this procedure is NZD 777.

The structure and format for the OPRA exam remained the same for New Zealand as well as Australia. The exam is conducted three times a year in the months of March, July and November. You can take the examination from your nearest OPRA testing centre, probably in your own city or country. however, one big difference in the OPRA process for Australia and New Zealand is that while there is no limit on the number of attempts for OPRA Australia, you can take the OPRA exam for New Zealand for a maximum of two attempts. The cost of the OPRA examination is AUD 2,190.

This is an additional step in the OPRA New Zealand procedure. It is a mandatory online course which educates overseas pharmacists about the pharmacy laws, ethics, and professional standards in New Zealand. The course duration is three months, consisting of 10 modules, and the course fee is NZD 2400. You can enrol for the course only once a year.

After passing the OPRA exam and completing the NZPL course, candidates need to register as intern pharmacists and procure practical experience under expert supervision in a recognised medical facility in New Zealand. The cost of registration is NZD 957 after the assessment and NZD 340 after the November assessment.

The EVOLVE internship program is a one-year structured internship which focuses on enhancing the clinical and professional competencies of the candidates. With the help of assignments, workshops, and appraisal under expert supervision, candidates are expected to become well-versed in the healthcare set-up of New Zealand. The internship generally lasts from February 1 to November 7, and costs NZD 8950.

This concludes the registration process for overseas-trained pharmacists in New Zealand with the OPRA exam. Once you complete all the steps, you can search for a well-paying job in New Zealand and apply for your work visa. This marks the beginning of an outstanding pharmacy career for candidates and aspirants. 

With a focus on real-world application of pharmaceutical sciences, the OPRA exam ensures that candidates are well prepared for clinical practice in New Zealand. By understanding the eligibility requirements, the process and the differences between the OPRA exam for Australia and New Zealand, you can be well prepared to face the challenges in the registration process for New Zealand. Whatever path you choose, getting export help can be extremely beneficial for your preparation and success. Enrol in a good OPRA New Zealand preparation course to make sure you crack the exam on your very first attempt. Keep shining!