What Pharmacists Need to Know About Requirements for Practicing in Another English-Speaking Country
Key takeaways:
It is possible to work as a pharmacist in another country, even if you don’t speak another language, by pursuing licensure in an English-speaking country.
Countries where U.S. pharmacists can pursue licensure include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Each country has different licensing requirements. But as a general rule, they require at least passing an exam and completing a supervised practice period before you can practice.
After graduation, wanderlust pharmacists might be considering taking their pharmacy education abroad. There are many ways to do that. But, perhaps the most obvious way is practicing pharmacy in a traditional setting, like in the community or at a hospital. Still, the language barrier will make it difficult in most cases, unless it is another English-speaking country.
Even restricted to English, though, pharmacists still have lots of countries to choose from. In part one of this series, we’ll look at Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
Here, we’ll go through an overview of how to get licensed as a pharmacist abroad in countries that will allow you to practice in English.
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Canada
Licensing
The Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada offers comprehensive information on licensing for overseas applicants. But unlike the other countries in this article, licensing in Canada is dependent on the province, and each province has their own requirements.
General requirements include registering with the Gateway, passing the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Exam, applying to the appropriate College of Pharmacy (similar to a Board of Pharmacy in the U.S.), and passing a law exam for the province. Some provinces also require supervised practical training and/or an assessment. British Columbia, for example, requires the completion of a 24-week bridging program. This program includes a 12-week, 500-hour structured practical training.
You can find estimated costs on the Gateway and they vary widely, from $5,900 in Newfoundland and Labrador to over $16,000 in British Columbia.
The job market
There is expected to be a tight job market in Canada for the foreseeable future. From 2019 to 2028, there are going to be an estimated 12,500 pharmacist jobs available, but 16,600 new job seekers. That leaves a gap of nearly 4,000 pharmacists looking for jobs who might not find one.
The median salary for pharmacists, regardless of practice setting, in Canada is $104,646 CAD ($79,514 USD). But, salaries can be much higher than that. The highest bracket in Quebec brings in $161,891 CAD ($123,010 USD).
The United Kingdom
Licensing
The U.K. divides licensing for overseas candidates between those who are registered within the European Economic Area and those who are not. U.S.-licensed pharmacists must follow the process for those who are not licensed within this area.
The first step is to complete an Overseas’ Pharmacist Assessment Program (OSPAP). One example is from Aston University. Their program lasts from 9 months to 1 year and covers both clinical knowledge and law and ethics. Next, you will spend 52 weeks training at a site approved by the General Pharmaceutical Council. While there are grants available, and trainees must be paid at least minimum wage, the salary will likely be lower than a pharmacist. Last, you will need to take and pass the registration assessment.
The job market
The national Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey examines trends in community pharmacy across the U.K. Overall, the most recent survey paints a promising picture for aspiring British pharmacists. Vacancy rates remain high in many parts of the country. The highest vacancy rate is in the South West of England at 14%.
Salaries are quite a bit lower than in the U.S. though. According to the National Careers Service, pharmacists earn an average of £32,305 ($37,421 USD) at the beginning of their careers and £45,838 ($51,621 USD) after getting more experience. This figure includes both community and hospital pharmacists.
Australia
Licensing
Most U.S.-licensed pharmacists wanting to practice in Australia can apply with the Australian Pharmacy Council for the Competency Stream, which was previously referred to as Stream B.
To qualify, you must have graduated from a pharmacy school recognized in the U.S., U.K., Canada, or Ireland. You must also be licensed in one of those countries. You must then complete an eligibility check and pass the Competency Assessment of Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) Exam.
The eligibility check requires proof of identity, academic qualifications, evidence of registration status (such as a license), and work history. After gathering those documents, you will submit them to the Australian Pharmacy Council. Once they approve your eligibility, you can register for the CAOP exam.
The CAOP exam is designed to test your clinical knowledge based on the National Competency Standards of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Importantly, it does not test knowledge of Australian pharmacy law. The CAOP consists of 70 questions and there is a 2-hour time limit to take it. Applicants are allowed to bring the Australian Medicines Handbook, the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary, and the British National Formulary with them as references.
After passing the eligibility check and CAOP exam, you will receive a Skills Assessment letter. This letter allows you to apply for limited registration as a pharmacist. You must then complete a supervised practice period. Once you have completed 75% of those hours, you will need to sit for a final registration exam before receiving general registration, which is a full license to practice.
The job market
Pharmacist jobs are expected to grow by 9% from 2021 to 2026, and 70% of all pharmacists live in capital cities. Also, 70% of pharmacists work in the retail trade sector, which would be mostly community pharmacy. Around 22% of pharmacists work in the health and social services sector. This would be mainly hospital, long-term care, and ambulatory care pharmacy.
Salaries are higher for pharmacists in Australia, compared to the median, but lower than the U.S. According to this data, median earnings across all practice areas are $102,960 AUD ($70,167 USD) per year, and 1 in 4 pharmacists earn more than $132,496 AUD ($90,296 USD).
New Zealand
Licensing
The licensing process in New Zealand is very similar to that of Australia. Pharmacists who graduated in Canada, the U.S., Ireland, or the U.K. are allowed to apply through the Recognized Equivalent Qualifications (REQR) route.
In fact, pharmacists who want to practice in New Zealand must also pass the CAOP exam. This exam is administered by the Australian Pharmacy Council. After passing, candidates can apply for limited registration by submitting documentation on things like prior pharmacist registration (such as a license) and immigration status.
U.S. and Canadian pharmacists must then complete a 3-month supervised internship period, pass a law and ethics interview, and complete the Pharmaceutical Council of New Zealand’s Revisit the Workplace program.
The job market
The job outlook for pharmacists in New Zealand is rosy, thanks to strong demand. Overall, there is projected growth through 2028 with a particularly high demand for pharmacists in rural areas.
Salaries, however, are lower than in the U.S. or Australia. Staff pharmacists earn an average of $82,000 NZD per year, while pharmacy managers earn an average of $86,000 NZD per year. Keep in mind that, like the Australian dollar, the New Zealand dollar is not equal to the U.S. dollar. So, those salaries are closer to around $50,000 USD per year.
The government of New Zealand has also put together a list of job vacancy and recruitment sites to help in finding a job.
The bottom line
With enough determination, openness, and creativity, it is fully possible for pharmacists to live and work abroad. If your plan is to practice pharmacy, then an English-speaking country removes language barriers. And it makes it much easier for most pharmacists to get registered and start working.
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