OPRA Exam Skill Assessment Letter Fee: A Full Guide for Overseas Pharmacists
Introduction
Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) is an important examination for internationally trained pharmacists seeking registration in Australia. In March 2025, introduced by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC), the OPRA examination has replaced the pre-KAPS exam, which offers a more updated assessment alignment with current pharmacy practices in Australia.
OPRA Exam Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the OPRA exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Eligibility Area | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
Education Qualification | Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPHARM), Master of Pharmacy (MPharm), or Doctor of Pharmacy (PHARMD) degrees from a recognized institute |
Professional Registration | Have a latest registration of pharmacy or be eligible for registration as a pharmacist in the home country, or where the pharmacy degree was obtained |
English Language Proficiency | Expect proficiency in English through standardized tests like IELTS or OET by Australia's Pharmacy Board |
OPRA Exam Fees Breakdown in Different Currencies
It is important to understand the fee structure to plan his journey towards becoming a registered pharmacist in Australia.
Categories | Australia | USA | India |
|---|---|---|---|
Eligibility Check | 810 AUD | $527.96 | ₹44818.90 |
Skills Assessment Outcome Fee | 300 AUD | $195.54 | ₹16599.59 |
Updated Skills Assessment Request Fee | 610 AUD | $397.66 | ₹33752.50 |
OPRA Exam Fee | 2,190 AUD | $1427.45 | ₹121177.01 |
These fees are payable through the APC Candidate Portal during the application and registration process.
Note: The Eligibility Check fee is a one-time payment for every candidate.
OPRA Exam Syllabus and Structure
The OPRA exam is designed to assess the knowledge and competencies required for pharmacy practice in Australia. The exam comprises 120 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2.5 hours. The syllabus is divided into the following domains:
Candidates are advised to prioritize areas with higher weightage during their OPRA exam
OPRA Exam vs KAPS Exam: Key Differences
Before OPRA, the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences (KAPS) exam was the standard for overseas-trained pharmacists. The OPRA exam, introduced in 2025, is more clinically focused and aligned with current Australian pharmacy practices.
Features | KAPS Exam | OPRA Exam |
|---|---|---|
Full Form | Knowledge Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Science | Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Evaluation |
Purpose | Assess theoretical medicine knowledge | Assess clinical readiness and real-world pharmacy practice |
Structure | Two parts: Part I (Pharmaceutical Sciences), Part II (Clinical) | Single, Integrated Examination with 120 MCQs |
Focus Areas | Heavy focus on pharmaceutical science | Medical, patient care, and strong attention to clinical skills |
Question Type | Multiple Essential Questions (MCQs) | Landscape-based MCQs (clinical matters and argument) |
Scoring Method | Fixed percentage pass mark (eg, 50%) | Rasch Scoring Model (Passed/unsuccessful by performance range) |
Fee | Low Exam Fee | A little higher fee (AUD 2,190) |
Implementation Status | Last Exam in November 2024 | Active from March 2025 |
Assessment Approach | Knowledge-based | Eligibility-based, real-world alignment |
The shift to OPRA aims to streamline the assessment process and better reflect the role of pharmacists in Australia’s healthcare system.
OPRA Exam Passing Marks and Scoring Methodology
Rasch methodologyfor the OPRA examination scoring, does not determine a certain pass percentage. Instead, the candidates achieve "successful" or "unsuccessful" results based on the overall performance.
This approach ensures fairness and stability in various examination versions. On passing the exam, candidates receive a pharmacist skill evaluation letter, which is an important document for progress towards provisional registration with Australia's Pharmacy Board.
Conclusion
The OPRA exam is an important step for internationally trained pharmacists who want to register and practice in Australia. In place of the pre-KAPS exam, OPRA provides a more clinically relevant, integrated, and modern evaluation format aligned with current pharmacy standards in Australia.
With real-world patient care and a focus on medicinal knowledge, the objective of the OPRA exam is to ensure that foreign pharmacists meet the professional expectations of the Australian healthcare system. Candidates should pay full attention to the domain with high loads, prepare well using official resources, and be informed about the exam dates and procedural stages.
Passing the OPRA examination not only validates one's readiness to work in an Australian healthcare setting but also unlocks the route towards provisional registration with Australia's Pharmacy Board. It is an important milestone in creating a pharmacy career in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
The OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) examination assesses the knowledge and skills of internationally trained pharmacists seeking registration in Australia.
Candidates must have completed a pharmacy degree equal to a full-time study of at least four years and must be registered or eligible for registration in their country.
The examination includes 120 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 2.5 hours, including various domains of pharmaceutical science and patient care.
The OPRA examination fee is AUD 2,190. Additional fees may apply to eligibility checks and other administrative procedures.
The course includes biomedical sciences, medicinal chemistry and biopharmaceutics, pharmacology and toxicology, therapeutics and patient care, and pharmacy exercises and morality.
The OPRA exam is scheduled for 2025 on March 3-5, July 14-16, and November 24-26.
The OPRA exam uses the Rasch scoring methodology, focusing on overall qualification rather than a certain passing score.
Effective preparations include studying recommended textbooks, taking admission in the best preparation courses, and practicing with sample questions and fake exams.
Yes, the Australian Pharmacy Council provides sample papers to help the candidates become familiar with the exam format and question types.
After passing the OPRA exam, candidates receive a skill evaluation letter, which is necessary to proceed with the registration process to practice as a pharmacist in Australia.
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