Four in five first-time sitters pass GPhC registration exam

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has released the results of the June 2025 registration assessment, revealing a pass rate of 77%.

The data, published after a delay due to technical issues on the GPhC website, showed a total of 2,913 candidates sat the assessment on 23 June, with 2,247 successfully passing.

Some 86% of candidates (2,503 out of 2,913) were sitting the assessment for the first time, with 2,016 passing – a success rate of 80%.

Among second-time sitters, 142 out of 269 passed (53%), while 89 of the 141 third-time sitters were successful, giving a pass rate of 63%.

Duncan Rudkin, chief executive of the GPhC, congratulated those who passed the exam – held jointly with Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland – and emphasised the significance of the assessment in preparing candidates for professional practice.

He said: ‘The registration assessment is a vital part of the journey to becoming a registered pharmacist and it provides evidence and reassurance that successful candidates will be able to apply their knowledge appropriately and are able to make professional judgments when practising.’

Mr Rudkin added: ‘The overall pass rate is testament to the hard work that has been put in, and I wish those registering with us every success in their careers as valuable members of the future healthcare workforce.’

This year’s pass rate is broadly in line with previous summer assessments. In 2024, 75% of candidates passed the June sitting, while in 2023 the pass rate was 77%.

The GPhC offers unsuccessful candidates access to support, including the option to appeal under specific criteria.