GPhC confirm supplier for 2021 registration assessment

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has confirmed that it will be working with an international assessment company to deliver the online registration assessment. It has been confirmed that Pearson VUE, a company that specialises in computer-based testing, will hold the registration assessment sittings online for the first time from 2021.

The GPhC has said that the registration assessment provides assurance to patients and the public that the pharmacy professionals on our register can practice safely and effectively, by testing that pre-registration trainee pharmacists can demonstrate that they understand how to apply knowledge appropriately and in a timely way, to make professional judgements in pharmacy practice.

Candidates must pass the ‘high-stakes assessment’ to be eligible to join the register as a pharmacist.

Sittings usually take place twice a year in June and September, but sittings in 2020 were postponed as a result of the pandemic. From 2021, the registration assessment will be held online.

Pearson VUE provides a suite of services from test development to online proctoring for information technology, academic, government and professional testing programs around the world. This currently includes holding assessments for the Nursing and Midwifery Council in Great Britain, the Australian Pharmacy Council and the New Zealand Pharmacy Council.

The GPhC had previously communicated limited details about the date for this year’s registration exam. They had said that the exam will take place in the first quarter of 2021 and have assured those involved that the exam will not happen in the first two weeks of January.

Mark Voce, GPhC Director of Education and Standards said:

“I’m pleased to confirm that we have identified Pearson VUE as our preferred supplier through a thorough tender process which assessed bids against our rigorous requirements for quality, security and accessibility of the registration assessment.

“We are confident that together we can hold online assessment sittings which give candidates a robust and fair test opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply their skills and knowledge.”

Matthew Poyiadgi, Vice President EMEA, Pearson VUE, commented:

‘’Licenses and certifications uphold the standards of safe practice in the healthcare sector, proving that professionals such as pharmacists have the knowledge and ability to provide safe and effective treatment. We are delighted to be able to support GPhC in its delivery of online assessments from next year.’’

Gail Fleming, RPS Director of Education, said:

“It’s still very disappointing that the GPhC is not able to provide trainees with a definite date for the delayed assessment. This remains a very difficult situation for those affected and RPS continues to support them.

“Whilst we welcome this latest communication from the GPhC as a step in the right direction, we continue to push for quicker action to set an exact date to provide certainty to those who will be sitting the exam. Information about the format of the assessment including resources and the arrangements for reasonable adjustments is needed now to alleviate the ongoing concerns of many trainees.”

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