United Kingdom
GPhC Registration Assessment
Understand the structure, what to focus on, then jump into the exact papers and tests.
Overview
The UK pharmacist registration pathway is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). UK trainee pharmacists complete foundation training and must pass the Common Registration Assessment (CRA) before they can apply to join the register as pharmacists.
Foundation Training First · CRA Part 1 = Calculations · CRA Part 2 = Safe & Effective Pharmacy Care
Prep plan (simple & effective)
- Pass 1: Cover calculations and core clinical decision-making fast → identify weak areas early
- Pass 2: Drill GPhC-style applied questions → focus safe supply, legal judgement, and public protection
- Review: Reattempt missed questions within 48 hours and write a short rationale for each correction
- Final week: Mixed timed sets for Part 1 and Part 2 under exam conditions
Pharmacists: UK GPhC Common Registration Assessment (CRA)
Paper 1: Pharmaceutical Calculations
- Format: Numerical free-entry questions with no answer options. Calculator-based and highly time-sensitive.
- Core Focus: Dosing, concentrations, dilutions, infusion rates, pharmacokinetics, and clinical calculations.
- Critical Nature: A safety-critical paper with a high pass mark. Errors are not tolerated due to patient risk.
Paper 2: Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics
- Format: Single Best Answer (SBA) and Extended Matching Questions (EMQs).
- Core Focus: Clinical decision-making across major therapeutic areas aligned with the BNF/BNFc.
- What Is Tested: Diagnosis support, treatment selection, monitoring, and safe prescribing decisions.
Paper 3: Pharmacy Law & Professional Practice
- Core Focus: UK pharmacy law, ethics, professional standards, and patient safety responsibilities.
- Practice Areas: Dispensing legality, controlled drugs, consent, confidentiality, and safeguarding.
- What Is Tested: Your ability to practise legally, ethically, and safely within the UK healthcare system.
