The results of the common registration assessment for pharmacists, held jointly by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI), have been published. This summer’s pass rate of 80% compares with the 82% pass rate for the summer 2021 registration assessment, and the 61% pass rate for the Autumn 2021 registration assessment. GPhC Chief Executive Duncan Rudkin said:
“We would like to congratulate the successful candidates and we look forward to them joining our register and continuing to the next stage of their career. “However, we appreciate that the June registration assessment was a difficult and stressful experience for many – and we are extremely sorry about the problems faced by a number of candidates on the day. “For those who did not pass, there is a guide on our website [PDF 255 KB] outlining all the options that may be available, such as provisional registration and the right to appeal. There are also links to organisations and resources that can provide support with mental health and wellbeing. “We wish the successful candidates all the best in their future careers and encourage those who were unsuccessful to make full use of our guide to help them with their next steps towards future registration  and success in the profession.”
Pharmaceutical Society NI Chief Executive, Trevor Patterson said:
“We congratulate all those candidates who have been successful and wish them every success in their future careers as much-needed additions to the healthcare workforce. “We would like to apologise to those candidates that experienced disruption to their sitting of the Common Registration Assessment on 29 June 2022 and to reassure them that steps are being taken to ensure learnings from the assessment are applied. “Those candidates in Northern Ireland who have been unsuccessful should refer to guidance on the Pharmaceutical Society NI website, which includes advice on next steps and signposting to help and support in Northern Ireland.”

Further information and statistics

Table 1: Performance breakdown for all candidates

Candidates Number % of total
Total number of candidates 2697 100%
GPhC canddiates 2570 95%
PSNI candidates 127 5%
Number of first time sitters 2389 89%
Number of second time sitters 189 7%
Number of third time sitters 119 4%
Candidate performace- pass rates 
First sitting candidates – pass 1968 82%
Second time sitters – pass 102 54%
Third time sitters – pass 77 65%
Overall pass 2147 80%
Overall fail 550 20%