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100+ Free NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Practice Questions

Prepare for the Pharmacy Council New Zealand Intern Pharmacist Assessment Centre exam with instant access — no signup required.

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November 2025 Assessment Centre pass rate: 66%; 153 of 231 intern pharmacists passed. Pass Rate
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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Exam

OSCE

Current Assessment Centre format described by the Pharmacy Council

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/public/newsletter-april-2026/

66%

November 2025 Assessment Centre pass rate

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/public/newsletter-april-2026/

153 of 231

Intern pharmacists who passed the November 2025 Assessment Centre

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/public/newsletter-april-2026/

$909

Initial Intern registration and APC fee

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/pharmacist/fees/

$1,055 / $371.30

Change of Scope - Intern to Pharmacist APC fee after May / November Assessment Centre

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/pharmacist/fees/

15 December

Date from which APCs are issued for late-November intern applications

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/pharmacy_registries/intern-pharmacists/

4 months

Time to apply for pharmacist registration after Assessment Centre pass notification

https://pharmacycouncil.org.nz/pharmacy_registries/registering-as-a-pharmacist/

For 2026 planning, nz-pharmacy-intern-assessment should be represented as the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE rather than an intern-year written exam. Official facts include accredited NZ/Australian BPharm eligibility, AHPRA approval for Australian degrees, Intern Scope registration plus APC before practice, applications opening in late November with APC issue from 15 December, ITP completion under supervision, Assessment Centre timed clinical cases, pass/fail unscaled results, November 2025 pass rate of 66% (153 of 231), and Council fees of $909 for initial Intern registration/APC plus $1,055 after May or $371.30 after November for scope change/APC.

Sample NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NZ Intern Pharmacist AC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which organisation is responsible for the intern pharmacist registration pathway in New Zealand?
A.Health New Zealand
B.Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
C.New Zealand Qualifications Authority
D.AHPRA
Explanation: The Pharmacy Council of New Zealand, also called Pharmacy Council NZ, is the official body for pharmacist and intern pharmacist registration in New Zealand. Other organisations may be relevant to health services or qualifications, but they do not run this registration pathway.
2A recent New Zealand pharmacy graduate wants to begin supervised intern pharmacist work. What must be in place before they practise as an Intern Pharmacist?
A.Only enrolment in an Intern Training Programme
B.A pass in a written intern examination
C.Full Pharmacist Scope registration
D.Registration in the Intern Scope of Practice and an APC
Explanation: Before practising as an Intern Pharmacist, the person must be registered in the Intern Scope of Practice and hold a current Annual Practising Certificate. Enrolment in training supports the pathway, but it does not replace registration and an APC.
3Which statement best describes the current final assessment requirement for moving from Intern Pharmacist registration toward Pharmacist registration?
A.The intern must pass the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE examination.
B.The intern must pass a national written intern examination.
C.The intern must pass an AHPRA law examination.
D.The intern must complete a university final-year examination again.
Explanation: The current pathway uses the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE examination as the relevant Council assessment. A written intern examination is an outdated assumption for this pathway.
4Which applicant is within the stated educational group for Intern Pharmacist registration in New Zealand?
A.Any person with two years of pharmacy retail experience
B.A graduate of any health science degree from any country
C.A graduate of an accredited Bachelor of Pharmacy programme in New Zealand or Australia
D.A pharmacy technician who has completed a workplace portfolio
Explanation: Intern pharmacist registration is for graduates from accredited Bachelor of Pharmacy programmes in New Zealand or Australia. Work experience alone, a different degree, or technician training does not meet that stated educational basis.
5An Australian pharmacy graduate applies for New Zealand intern registration. Which education-related condition is specifically relevant?
A.They must have completed secondary school in New Zealand.
B.They must first complete a New Zealand pharmacy technician qualification.
C.Their pharmacy degree must be approved by AHPRA.
D.Their degree must be less than six months old.
Explanation: For Australian graduates, the pharmacy degree must be approved by AHPRA. The pathway described does not add requirements about New Zealand secondary schooling, technician training, or a degree age limit.
6What is the main purpose of registration in the Intern Scope of Practice?
A.To allow a limited period of supervised practice so the graduate can meet pharmacist registration requirements
B.To permit independent practice as a pharmacist without further Council assessment
C.To replace the Intern Training Programme with workplace experience only
D.To allow non-pharmacist health graduates to dispense without supervision
Explanation: The intern scope is a limited supervised practice pathway for eligible pharmacy graduates. It is not the same as full pharmacist registration and does not remove the need to meet the remaining pathway requirements.
7Which combination best reflects the pathway from Intern Pharmacist to Pharmacist registration?
A.Complete 12 months of employment, pass a written intern examination, and skip fitness assessment if employed
B.Hold an APC, complete any online course, and automatically transfer to Pharmacist Scope
C.Register with AHPRA, complete a technician portfolio, and apply for direct pharmacist registration
D.Complete the Intern Training Programme while supervised, pass the Assessment Centre OSCE, and be fit to practise
Explanation: Progression requires the Intern Training Programme during supervised work, the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE, and being considered fit to practise in health, conduct, and competence. Employment or an APC alone does not automatically convert intern registration into pharmacist registration.
8When are online applications for Intern Pharmacist registration expected to open each year?
A.1 January
B.Late November
C.The first week of July
D.Only after the OSCE results are released
Explanation: Online applications are expected to open in late November each year. This timing supports graduates preparing to start supervised practice soon after graduation.
9What is the stated timing for issuing APCs to newly registered Intern Pharmacists?
A.On 1 March
B.From 15 December
C.Only after six months of supervised work
D.Only after passing the Assessment Centre OSCE
Explanation: APCs for newly registered Intern Pharmacists are issued from 15 December. They are not delayed until months of practice or until the final OSCE assessment.
10How is the APC handled when a person is registered as an Intern Pharmacist?
A.It must be purchased separately after the first supervised shift.
B.It is issued only after the Intern Training Programme is completed.
C.It is optional if the intern works in a hospital pharmacy.
D.It is issued automatically when the intern registration is granted.
Explanation: The APC is issued automatically when intern registration is granted. However, the intern still must hold the APC before practising in the intern scope.

About the NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Exam

The Pharmacy Council New Zealand Intern Pharmacist Assessment Centre is the OSCE-style final readiness assessment for interns moving from Intern Scope toward Pharmacist Scope. The current route requires Intern Scope registration, an APC, supervised practice through the ITP, a pass at the Assessment Centre, and fitness to practise in health, conduct, and competence.

Assessment

The current pathway is not an intern-year written exam. Intern pharmacists complete the ITP while supervised, then sit the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE. The Assessment Centre uses timed clinical cases in a circuit, trained examiners, standardized scoring, and realistic pharmacy scenarios to determine whether interns can practise safely and autonomously in the Pharmacist Scope.

Time Limit

The Council describes timed clinical cases in a circuit. A total current duration is not published in the official sources reviewed.

Passing Score

No numeric passing score is published. The April 2026 Council newsletter states interns are awarded pass or fail results and the total results are not scaled across the cohort.

Exam Fee

Current Pharmacy Council Fees Notice 2025 lists initial Intern registration and APC at $909, Change of Scope - Intern to Pharmacist APC following the May Assessment Centre at $1,055, following the November Assessment Centre at $371.30, and Renewal of Intern APC for a second year at $669. Separate ITP/provider costs may apply. (Pharmacy Council of New Zealand)

NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Exam Content Outline

Legal gate

Intern Scope and APC

Registration in Intern Scope of Practice and an APC are required before practising as an intern pharmacist; applications open in late November and APCs are issued from 15 December.

Supervised pathway

Intern Training Programme

Interns complete the ITP while working under supervision of a registered pharmacist, building evidence of readiness for safe pharmacist practice.

Final readiness assessment

Assessment Centre OSCE

Timed clinical cases in a circuit assess clinical knowledge, communication, professionalism, patient rapport, and ability to practise safely and independently.

Applied care

Clinical Pharmacy Scenarios

Medicines review, counselling, interactions, dose checks, renal and anticoagulant safety, antibiotics, vaccination, OTC triage, referral, and documentation.

Public protection

Fitness, Conduct, and Culture

Health and conduct disclosure, competence, cultural safety, privacy, escalation, collaboration, and professional judgement in New Zealand pharmacy practice.

How to Pass the NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No numeric passing score is published. The April 2026 Council newsletter states interns are awarded pass or fail results and the total results are not scaled across the cohort.
  • Assessment: The current pathway is not an intern-year written exam. Intern pharmacists complete the ITP while supervised, then sit the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE. The Assessment Centre uses timed clinical cases in a circuit, trained examiners, standardized scoring, and realistic pharmacy scenarios to determine whether interns can practise safely and autonomously in the Pharmacist Scope.
  • Time limit: The Council describes timed clinical cases in a circuit. A total current duration is not published in the official sources reviewed.
  • Exam fee: Current Pharmacy Council Fees Notice 2025 lists initial Intern registration and APC at $909, Change of Scope - Intern to Pharmacist APC following the May Assessment Centre at $1,055, following the November Assessment Centre at $371.30, and Renewal of Intern APC for a second year at $669. Separate ITP/provider costs may apply.

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NZ Intern Pharmacist AC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Treat this as an OSCE readiness assessment, not a recall-only written exam.
2Practise explaining medicines decisions clearly enough for patients, prescribers, and supervisors.
3For clinical cases, identify immediate safety risks first, then clarify missing information and escalate when needed.
4Keep Intern Scope, APC, supervision, ITP completion, Assessment Centre pass, and Pharmacist Scope registration as distinct steps.
5Use documentation, consent, privacy, cultural safety, and fitness-to-practise judgement as part of each applied scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nz-pharmacy-intern-assessment a current written intern exam?

No. The official current pathway describes the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE examination, using timed clinical cases to assess readiness for safe autonomous pharmacist practice.

Who can register as an intern pharmacist in New Zealand?

The Council describes the route for graduates of accredited Bachelor of Pharmacy programmes in New Zealand or Australia. Australian graduates must have an AHPRA-approved pharmacy degree.

Can an intern pharmacist start practising before the APC is issued?

No. Before practising as an Intern Pharmacist, the person must be registered in Intern Scope of Practice and hold an APC, which the Council issues automatically when the person is registered.

What must an intern complete before Pharmacist registration?

The official pathway requires completion of the ITP under supervision, a pass at the Pharmacy Council Assessment Centre OSCE, and Council fitness-to-practise assessment for health, conduct, and competence.

What was the November 2025 Assessment Centre pass rate?

The Council's April 2026 newsletter reports a 66% pass rate, with 153 of 231 intern pharmacists passing and becoming eligible to register in the pharmacist scope of practice.

What Council fees apply to intern registration and scope change?

The current Fees Notice lists $909 for initial Intern registration and APC, $1,055 for Change of Scope - Intern to Pharmacist APC after the May Assessment Centre, and $371.30 after the November Assessment Centre.