Complete Guide to the OPRA Exam for Pharmacists in New Zealand

Is the OPRA exam only for candidates planning their career in Australia? What if I want to migrate to Australia? What are the steps to be followed, and what are the fees like? Are you having similar questions? Are you a pharmacist trained overseas, aspiring to be a pharmacist in New Zealand? The Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment (OPRA) — previously known as KAPS — is the doorway to this requirement. OPRA is the first step in many people’s journey to becoming pharmacists registered under the PCNZ’s Non‑Recognised Equivalent Qualifications Route (Non‑REQR). OPRA exam is the first step for both Australia and New Zealand, but the pathways diverge in the later stages.

Understanding OPRA: Its Purpose & Significance

•  Every country has a pharmacist license exam that assesses the skills and competencies of a candidate to see how best they can fit into the country. OPRA is such an exam for Australia and New Zealand.
• OPRA tests if you have the necessary biomedical, pharmaceutical, and clinical knowledge to practice safely in New Zealand.
• Clearing the OPRA exam assures that overseas qualified pharmacists meet the NZ pharmacy standards.

Also Read: A Comprehensive OPRA Exam Guide for Australian Pharmacists

OPRA Exam Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand

You must satisfy these requirements to sit the OPRA:

• New Zealand accepts a minimum of a four-year pharmacy degree, which means candidates with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm), or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) are eligible.
• You must have active registration in the country you obtained your qualification or the home country.
• At least one year of retail or hospital pharmacy experience is a mandate for New Zealand.
• Complete an Initial Skill Assessment by PCNZ.

Exam Format: Components, Duration & Passing Criteria

• The OPRA exam format is the same for both Australia and New Zealand
• Number of questions: The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and the candidate needs to pick one correct option from the answers given.
• Number of papers: Unlike the KAPS exams, which had two papers, the OPRA exam consists of a single paper.
• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Scoring: The scoring system has also changed from KAPS to the OPRA exam, which uses Rasch methodology for fairness and precision.
• Attempts allowed: The number of attempts is not limited in Australia, but it is restricted to two in New Zealand.
• Fee: AUD 2,190 per attempt
• Availability: Held three times a year (March, July, November) with test centres worldwide, including 10 in India (e.g., Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad) 

• OPRA exam results are valid for three years.

Also Read: The Complete Cost Breakdown for Pharmacist Registration in New Zealand

Registration Steps & Application Process

1. Initial Skill Assessment (PCNZ)

Once the New Zealand Pharmacy Council receives the application online (Please note that we no longer accept paper applications).

Submit your qualifications and proof of registration to PCNZ’s Non-REQR route. A 90-day window period starts, and all the required documents should be submitted.

Here are the documents required:

•  Proof of Identification
• Change of name documentation – if applicable
•  English Language Exam (no older than two years)- Accepted exams are IELTS Academic and OET
•  Current Curriculum Vitae
• Self-Assessment of your qualification and post-registration experience
• Pharmacy Qualification (4-year qualification, if obtained after 1 January 2006)
• Registration Status

2. Sit the OPRA Exam

• Once all your documents are approved, register for the OPRA exam and pay the exam fee (AUD 2,190)
• This exam is conducted thrice annually, and you can choose the slots based on your preparation.
•  This exam tests your knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical sciences.

3. Complete the NZ Pharmacy Legislation (NZPL) Course

• This is an online course consisting of, 10-modules
• The course duration is 12 weeks.
• This covers the legal, ethical, and professional obligations in situations reflecting practice in NZ pharmacy.
• After 12 weeks, the candidate will sit a final assessment

4. Register as an Intern Pharmacist

After clearing both the assessments, the OPRA exam and the NZPL exam, apply for internship registration. Fees vary depending on intake: NZD 957 (May), NZD 340 (November).

5. Complete the EVOLVE Internship Programme

This is a one-year course (February–November) of supervised practice with structured learning and appraisals. Cost: NZD 8,950.

6. Full Registration

After completing EVOLVE and any final assessments, apply for full registration. Fees: NZD 1,312 (plus NZD 695.33 post‑November).

Council fees:

As of September 2023, we estimated the cost of the non-REQR registration process (including Council fees as above) and fees for the OPRA exam, NZPL course, and the Intern Training Programme to be between $10,000 and $16,000 NZD. 

Key Takeaways (March 2025 Update)

• OPRA exam has replaced the KAPS exam.
• OPRA exam is a streamlined format, with greater emphasis on therapeutic knowledge and Rasch-based scoring
• This is a licensure exam for both Australia and NZ; however, the NZ-specific pathway includes NZPL and EVOLVE stages.

Final Thoughts

OPRA marks a modernized, fair, and thorough pathway for overseas pharmacists seeking licensure in New Zealand. The journey requires strategic planning across six stages—from eligibility assessment to full registration. The path to success is not easy and would require thorough preparation for the OPRA exam. Considering the vast portion and syllabus, self-study might not be the option for majority of the candidates. Help and assistance are needed for many candidates, and at Elite Expertise, we offer tailored coaching for OPRA preparation. Our course is designed to improve your chances of success on your first attempt. We offer assistance for all the steps throughout your journey.

FAQs

Q1: What is the OPRA exam in NZ?
A: OPRA (Overseas Pharmacist Readiness Assessment) replaces the former KAPS exam. It evaluates your pharmacy knowledge and consists of 120 MCQs, which must be completed in 2.5 hours.

Q2: What is the number of attempts of the OPRA exam for New Zealand?
A: The New Zealand Pharmacy Council allows a maximum of two attempts. The OPRA exam is held thrice a year, in March, July, and November.

Q3: Can I give my OPRA exam from India?
A: Yes, there are 10 test centres across India: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Noida, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana.

Q4: Is OPRA exam the same for Australia and New Zealand?
A: Both countries share a common exam like OPRA; however, New Zealand requires additional steps—NZPL and EVOLVE—to complete registration.