Is it too late to do pre-reg?

[shining*star]

Hi,
I graduated from school of pharmacy in 2007. I tried doing the pre-reg after but I had issues with supervisor and I quit. I was so disillusioned with pharmacy as a whole and so I decided not to even try doing the pre-reg again.

But, now I would like to return next year (I have a contract lasting till next year), and I received a letter stating that pharmacists must register with GPhC, by 2013 but their website says Dec 2012.

Please does anyone out there know which is correct? TIA

[shining*star]

I just read that a person must be registered within 8yrs of commencing the MPharm degree unless they started pre-reg by Nov 2010, then they have until 2013.

Can someone please tell me what is what because different people keep telling me something different.

[Anonymous Pre-reg]

Hi I was the told the 8 year time limit doesn't apply to me but to new pre-regs from 2010 onwards. I think you should email the assessments manager at the GPhC and ask them about your situation and get it in writing which is what I did.

This is what I have been told.....

'The GPhC’s governing Council has recently agreed that the length of time allowed in order to complete the initial education and training requirements to register as a pharmacist will now be time limited. The initial education and training includes an MPharm or OSPAP and pre-registration (including the Registration Assessment). As a consequence of this anyone who has begun pharmacist pre-registration training (including sitting the Registration Assessment), or is currently eligible to do so, must have:
Completed the initial education and training requirements to register as a pharmacist; and made an application to register by noon on 20 December 2013.'

[shining*star]

So the fact that I began the pre-reg in 2007, even though I didn't complete the full year, means that I would be allowed to register before Dec 2013?

Anyway thanks for your help & I will contact them for more information.

[johnep]

This appears to be a common occurrence where pre regs are subject to abuse and exploitation. Should be some mechanism (a mentor system?) where problems can be clarified by a third party.
johnep

[Anonymous Pre-reg]

'The GPhC’s governing Council has recently agreed that the length of time allowed in order to complete the initial education and training requirements to register as a pharmacist will now be time limited. The initial education and training includes an MPharm or OSPAP and pre-registration (including the Registration Assessment). As a consequence of this anyone who has begun pharmacist pre-registration training (including sitting the Registration Assessment), or is currently eligible to do so, must have: Completed the initial education and training requirements to register as a pharmacist; and made an application to register by noon on 20 December 2013.'

You began the pre-reg in 2007 so even though you haven't finished it, you are still currently eligible to do it so you must pass the exam and submit your registration application with all the relevant documentation they require by 12pm on 20th Dec 2013.

How many months did you do when you started your pre-reg back in 2007? If you need to do the full year then you need to find a place in time so you can do the exam and register before the deadline. You say you are in a contract till next year...I think you would need to find a place by July to August 2012 at the latest if you need to do the full year, as the last exam you would be able to do would be Sept 2013 and you need to submit your exam entry by August 2013 for that exam. Also you need to give yourself extra time incase you experience problems finding a place or if things go wrong in your placement and you need to restart it.

I'm not sure what happens if you don't register by that deadline....may be do the whole masters degree all over again

[shining*star]

I only completed 3 months of the pre-reg. I suspect that would mean that I would have to do the full year again.

I will be free by Feb 2012, so hopefully I will find a place by July 2012. So does that mean that I would have to start now to find a place? I was hoping to go through clearing or whatever it's called.

Doing the whole masters degree again.....Oh My!! I don't even want to think of that scenario...lol!

[Anonymous Pre-reg]

In my opinion I would try and secure a place the sooner the better as some multiples advertise vacancies earlier eg Morrisons in the PJ are currently advertising for 2012/13.

Also remember you only need to complete 45 weeks of pre-reg to be entered for the exam so the remaining weeks may be worked afterwards so you still have some leeway in when you pass the exam and complete the pre-reg to register. Therefore as long as you have completed 45 weeks by August 2013 to enter for the exam then you should be ok.

Just realised having said this...if you do it this way then you would need to make sure you pass the exam at the first attempt. Good luck.

[shining*star]

If I remember correctly, there used to be two exams every year. Has that now been scrapped?

[Anonymous Pre-reg]

sorry didn't mean to confuse you...there is still two exams..you would have to complete your 45 weeks by May 2013 if you wanted to sit the June 2013 exam. I was just highlighting the situation if you were only to find a placement in time to sit the Sept 2013 exam which is the last exam you could take to meet the deadline. Therefore in your case you have 2 attempts at the exam, one in June and one in Sept.