14 weeks of intensive sessions according to NZ OPRA syllabus
One-on-one feedback sessions with the NZ OPRA trainer
120 hours of live online NZ OPRA training
Exclusive tips on approaching the OPRA exam for New Zealand
Adaptive AI Based OPRA Exam Mock Tests
Live classes + recorded sessions, study handouts, mock tests, and final NZ OPRA exam grand tests
Annual salary of Registered Pharmacists In New Zealand
Current openings for the role of Registered Pharmacist
Employment of Pharmacists is projected to grow every year
The NZ OPRA (Overseas Pharmacists Readiness Assessment ) exam is a comprehensive assessment conducted by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) for pharmacists seeking registration to practise in New Zealand.
The New Zealand OPRA Exam Preparation Course covers essential content and offers guidance and resources for boosting success in the NZ OPRA exam.
Secure lifelong membership to our OPRA pharmacist-led chat group and access complimentary CV writing webinars, along with tips for securing your first job.
By clearing this exam, international pharmacists can become and practice as registered pharmacists in New Zealand.
Foreign-trained pharmacists who want to practice, migrate, and settle in New Zealand.
Pharmacists taking the NZ OPRA exam for the first time.
Pharmacy professionals with a Master of Pharmacy or PhD can take the exam to become registered pharmacists in New Zealand for academic careers.
We provide online one-on-one counselling and Q&A sessions to ensure online learning is beneficial for the aspirants. Our mentors help aspirants clear their doubts and queries and get all the answers they need.
Missed a live lecture? Don\u2019t worry. You can always find a recorded lecture on our platform and revisit it as many times as you want during the course duration.
Getting the course once will help you prepare for not one but multiple attempts. You get access to all the resources for more than a year, to ensure proper revision.
We help you get in touch with a community of experts, which includes mentors, registered practitioners, previous alumni and those who have successfully cleared the exams. This adds value to your preparation and get all the guidance and motivation you need.
Physiological processes and normal bodily function for all systems
Pathophysiology
Medical microbiology
Immunology
Disorders affecting bodily fluids
Symptoms and physiological values of disease states and disorders
New Zealand currently has over 4,200 practising pharmacists, and the demand for qualified healthcare professionals continues to grow. To support this need while maintaining patient safety, New Zealand allows overseas-trained pharmacists to join its workforce through a regulated assessment process.
The NZ OPRA Exam (Overseas Pharmacists’ Readiness Assessment), conducted by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ), is the required exam for international pharmacists seeking registration. Introduced in 2025, it replaced the KAPS exam and assesses whether candidates are ready to practise to New Zealand standards.
Passing the OPRA exam allows candidates to continue with pharmacist registration and explore job opportunities in New Zealand, with potential pathways towards longer-term career and residency options..
To be eligible to write the NZ OPRA Exam, a pharmacist must have the following:
Demand Overview
Typical Employers
The first step is to check if you are eligible to appear for the OPRA Exam. For this, the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand will check your records and declare your eligibility.
Once you clear this initial assessment, you will be eligible to appear for the OPRA Exam.
Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/pharmacy_registries/pharmacists-from-other-countries/
The NZ OPRA Exam is an online multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam, so you can take it from your chosen test centre. This exam happens thrice yearly: in March, July, and November.
It is a Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exam. To qualify, you must obtain 50% in all subsections and an overall score of 50%.
This course provides overseas-qualified pharmacists with an understanding of the professional, legal, and ethical responsibilities required for practicing in New Zealand.
Enrollment is available only once per year. This online course has 10 modules and lasts 3 months.
Fee: 2400$
NZPL Course
https://www.publicprogrammes.ac.nz/nz-legislation/
Apply for registration in the Intern Pharmacist Scope of Practice. This initial step allows you to gain practical experience under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist, ensuring you develop the necessary skills and knowledge required for full professional practice.
This program offers practical training and support for interns throughout their intern year, running from February 1st to November 7th. Managed by a dedicated team of pharmacists and support staff, the program includes assignments, workshops, portfolios, and appraisals. Interns work full-time under the supervision of experienced pharmacists to develop essential skills and competencies.
Once the exams are cleared and internships are done, pharmacists must register with the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ) as registered pharmacists in New Zealand.
The NZ OPRA Exam consists of a single paper comprising 120 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) to be completed in 2.5 hours. The exam is scored using the Rasch methodology, which assesses performance based on the difficulty level of questions attempted rather than a simple percentage score.
The NZ OPRA Exam is an online exam. Therefore, you can take the exam at the nearest test centre. There are 7 test centres in India, which include:
The KAPS exam has been replaced and is no longer the standard pathway for overseas-trained pharmacists. The NZ OPRA Exam is now the required assessment for international pharmacists who wish to practice in New Zealand.
Yes, you can take the OPRA exam from India. There are 7 test centres in India, which include Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, and Noida.
An Indian pharmacy degree is not automatically valid in New Zealand. However, you can have your qualifications assessed by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ).
The OPRA exam in New Zealand is similar to the OPRA exam in Australia. This exam assesses the international pharmacist’s knowledge and skills for practising in New Zealand.
The exam will be tested according to the Rasch methodology. The scoring pattern is based on the level of difficult questions attempted.
Yes, an Indian pharmacist can work in New Zealand, but they must first obtain a New Zealand pharmacist license. This involves having their qualifications assessed, completing the exams, and obtaining registration from the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.
Yes, pharmacists are in demand in New Zealand. Therefore, the chances of getting a job are also high.
In New Zealand, the average salary for a pharmacist is $83,746 per year, which is equal to $42.95 per hour. Entry-level pharmacists typically earn around $74,818 annually, while those with more experience can make up to $100,231 per year.
The syllabus for the OPRA exam will be similar to that of the KAPS exam, but it will include additional emphasis on therapeutics and practical application to align with current New Zealand pharmacy practice standards.
The OPRA exam is not designed to be harder than KAPS, but it is structured differently. While the core knowledge required remains similar, OPRA places greater emphasis on clinical judgement, readiness for practice, and applying knowledge within the New Zealand healthcare context.
The OPRA exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer and three incorrect options. The total duration is 2.5 hours.
The OPRA exam does not use a fixed pass mark like 50% or 60%. Instead, it is scored using the Rasch methodology, a psychometric model that determines your result based on the difficulty level of questions attempted rather than a simple percentage. Results are reported as either pass or unsuccessful.
Candidates have 2 attempts to pass the OPRA exam. If you need to resit, you must register and pay the full exam fee again during the next available exam window.
The OPRA exam fee is AUD $2,245. Candidates should budget for all stages of the process, not just the exam itself.
With a structured study plan, most candidates generally need around 16–18 weeks of focused preparation. However, Academically’s course spans 14 weeks to ensure thorough coverage of the entire OPRA syllabus, with additional time for mock tests and grand test practice.
The OPRA syllabus covers five weighted areas: Biomedical Sciences (20%), Pharmaceutical Chemistry (10%), Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (10%), Pharmacology (15%), and Therapeutics (45%). Therapeutics carries the highest weightage, so candidates should prioritise clinical application and patient care scenarios in their preparation.
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The KAPS exam has been replaced and is no longer the standard pathway for overseas-trained pharmacists. The NZ OPRA Exam is now the required assessment for international pharmacists who wish to practice in New Zealand.
Yes, you can take the OPRA exam from India. There are 7 test centres in India, which include Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, and Noida.
An Indian pharmacy degree is not automatically valid in New Zealand. However, you can have your qualifications assessed by the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand (PCNZ).
The OPRA exam in New Zealand is similar to the OPRA exam in Australia. This exam assesses the international pharmacist’s knowledge and skills for practising in New Zealand.
The exam will be tested according to the Rasch methodology. The scoring pattern is based on the level of difficult questions attempted.
Yes, an Indian pharmacist can work in New Zealand, but they must first obtain a New Zealand pharmacist license. This involves having their qualifications assessed, completing the exams, and obtaining registration from the Pharmacy Council of New Zealand.
Yes, pharmacists are in demand in New Zealand. Therefore, the chances of getting a job are also high.
In New Zealand, the average salary for a pharmacist is $83,746 per year, which is equal to $42.95 per hour. Entry-level pharmacists typically earn around $74,818 annually, while those with more experience can make up to $100,231 per year.
The syllabus for the OPRA exam will be similar to that of the KAPS exam, but it will include additional emphasis on therapeutics and practical application to align with current New Zealand pharmacy practice standards.
The OPRA exam is not designed to be harder than KAPS, but it is structured differently. While the core knowledge required remains similar, OPRA places greater emphasis on clinical judgement, readiness for practice, and applying knowledge within the New Zealand healthcare context.
The OPRA exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions, each with one correct answer and three incorrect options. The total duration is 2.5 hours.
The OPRA exam does not use a fixed pass mark like 50% or 60%. Instead, it is scored using the Rasch methodology, a psychometric model that determines your result based on the difficulty level of questions attempted rather than a simple percentage. Results are reported as either pass or unsuccessful.
Candidates have 2 attempts to pass the OPRA exam. If you need to resit, you must register and pay the full exam fee again during the next available exam window.
The OPRA exam fee is AUD $2,245. Candidates should budget for all stages of the process, not just the exam itself.
With a structured study plan, most candidates generally need around 16–18 weeks of focused preparation. However, Academically’s course spans 14 weeks to ensure thorough coverage of the entire OPRA syllabus, with additional time for mock tests and grand test practice.
The OPRA syllabus covers five weighted areas: Biomedical Sciences (20%), Pharmaceutical Chemistry (10%), Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (10%), Pharmacology (15%), and Therapeutics (45%). Therapeutics carries the highest weightage, so candidates should prioritise clinical application and patient care scenarios in their preparation.