You should read this page if you want to apply to register as a pharmacy technician. It provides guidance on how to apply to us and the application forms to be filled in.
We started a voluntary register of pharmacy technicians in January 2005. Under voluntary registration we have four types of application with different entry requirements. We refer to these entry requirements as transitional arrangements.
The statutory registration of pharmacy technicians across Great Britain started on 1 July 2009 following the Privy Council’s approval of the Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments and Practitioner Psychologists) Order 2009 on 13 May. Registration will continue to be voluntary for two years after this date. For further information click here.
On 1 July 2011 registration will become mandatory (compulsory). You will need to apply to register with us before 1 July 2011 to continue working as a pharmacy technician.
If you don’t apply to register before mandatory registration starts you will not be able to call yourself or work as a pharmacy technician. If you want to register after mandatory registration starts you will also need to meet our post-transitional entry requirements. This may mean that you will need to complete further qualifications before you can register with us.
For the registration criteria, click on the link below:
We have four types of application, route a and route b for applicants with UK qualifications, overseas (non-EEA) and EEA for applicants with overseas qualifications.
Before filling out the application forms you should read the code of ethics.
To apply through route a you must have a UK pharmacy technician qualification and relevant work experience as a pharmacy technician of
If you have a UK pharmacy technician qualification but do not meet the work experience requirements for route a you may still be able to apply through route b. To apply through route b you must have two years relevant work experience as a pharmacy technician and have worked at least 14 hours per week during that time.
If you are applying through route b you will be required to provide additional information about your work as a pharmacy technician. This is information is then assessed by our evaluators to see if you meet our requirements.
To apply under route a or route b print off the application pack and payment form. You can also email us at pharmacytechnician@rpsgb.org or call us on 020 7572 2610 and we will send you a pack.
To apply as an overseas (non-EEA) applicant you must have an overseas pharmacist or pharmacy technician qualification and relevant work experience as a pharmacy technician in the United Kingdom of
To apply under the overseas (non-EEA) route print off the application pack, supplementary application form and payment form. You can also email us at pharmacytechnician@rpsgb.org or call us on 020 7572 2610 and we will send you a pack.
If you an overseas qualified pharmacy technician you will also need to print off the following form.
To apply as an EEA applicant you must be a European (EEA) national with a European pharmacy technician qualification and work experience.
To apply under the EEA route print off the application pack and payment form. You can also email us at pharmacytechnician@rpsgb.org or call us on 020 7572 2610 and we will send you a pack.
We define relevant work experience as carrying out the roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man or Channel Islands under the supervision, direction or guidance of an accountable pharmacist. This may include work experience during your pharmacy technician course but cannot include work experience before the start of your course.
Further information on relevant work experience is provided in our guidance
NEW Guidance on relevant work experience
We have provided information for pharmacists about the registration process and their responsibilities when countersigning an application in guidance for countersigning pharmacists.
NEW Guidance for countersigning pharmacists
If your pharmacist is still unsure after reading the guidance they can email us at pharmacytechnician@rpsgb.org or call us on 020 7572 2610.
You will need to complete a statutory declaration form in front of a solicitor if:
When you apply to register with us, we will ask you questions about your fitness to practise. We will ask you about your character, including any convictions or cautions you may have had, your health, and if you have been registered with other regulatory bodies. This information is used by us to assess whether you are fit to practise as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. To help you answer these questions, click on the link below.
Guidance on Registration with the Society and Fitness to Practise
To assess good character, we use a good character assessment framework. A copy of the framework template can be found below:
Good character assessment framework template
To assess your health we use a health assessment framework. A copy of the template framework template can be found below:
Health assessment framework template
If you need to make a fitness to practise declaration when applying to join the Register then please download the form below, then complete this and send it together with your application.
Further information on pharmacy technician registration is provided in our frequently asked questions.
NEW Frequently asked questions
If you still cannot find an answer to your question after reading this you can:
Code of conduct for preregistration trainee pharmacy technicians
Background
The student code of conduct is based on the same seven principles as the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain consulted on a code of conduct for preregistration trainee pharmacy technicians (student pharmacy technicians) between 22 May and 19 June 2009. This consultation was launched in parallel with the consultation on the regulation of conduct in schools of pharmacy.