New Zealand and Australian Graduates

All New Zealand BPharm graduates and Australian pharmacy graduates applying for registration in the Intern Scope of Practice must be able to communicate effectively in English for the purpose of practising as a pharmacist.

All graduates will be required to sign a statement agreeing that if a preceptor, other healthcare professional or member of the public finds they are not communicating in English to an acceptable standard, the intern pharmacist willl accept the decision of the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand as to whether they remain eligible to practise as a pharmacist in New Zealand. This statement will be signed by students when they complete the application form for registration in the Intern Scope of Practice (application forms are available from the Schools of Pharmacy in New Zealand from August in the year prior to internship).

Registered pharmacists from Australia or Canada/Ireland/UK/USA

If you are registered in Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK or USA and you are applying for registration in New Zealand, you are not required to provide information related to English language requirements. However, if you are found to be not communicating effectively in English, the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand reserves the right to place restrictions on your eligibility to practise.

Registered pharmacists from all other countries

IELTS
A minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four bands (listening, reading, writing and speaking) in the Academic category achieved within two years of the date of application.

For information on the IELTS, please visit the IELTS website

OR

OET
An A or B score in each of the four bands (listening, reading, writing and speaking) achieved within two years of the date of application. Results from previous OET tests, obtained within a two year period, will be accepted if the applicant does not achieve all the required scores at one sitting. Applicants must send their results into the PCNZ, where they will be verified against OET records.

For information on the OET, please visit the OET website