Intern Written Exam
Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
Overview
The Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) Intern Written Exam is a key assessment that determines whether a pharmacy intern is ready to progress to safe and independent professional practice in Australia. It is a computer-based examination with a total duration of two hours and is conducted in an open-book format, allowing candidates to refer to approved resources while answering questions.
The exam consists of approximately 75 questions, made up of a combination of multiple-choice items and fill-in-the-blank responses. Rather than testing rote memorisation, the assessment is designed to evaluate an intern’s ability to apply knowledge, think critically, and make sound clinical judgments in practice-based scenarios.
A minimum score of 65% is required to pass. The content of the exam is structured around six core competency areas that are essential for Australian pharmacy practice. These include pharmaceutical calculations, therapeutic decision-making, medication safety, legal and ethical requirements, and other aspects of professional practice. Overall, the Intern Written Exam ensures that interns have the clinical reasoning skills, practical knowledge, and regulatory awareness necessary to practise safely and confidently as registered pharmacists.
Key Information:
Key Details of the Intern Written Exam
- Structure: 75 questions, covering 6 categories: Calculations, Counseling, Dosage Forms, First Aid, Law & Ethics, and Therapeutics.
- Duration: 120 minutes + 20 minutes for tutorials/NDAs.
- Pass Mark: 65%.
- Format: Open-book (written/printed references allowed; electronic devices prohibited).
- Delivery: Conducted three times per year (Feb, Jun, Oct) mainly at test centres.
- Eligibility: Requires current AHPRA registration (temporary) and an active Internship Training Program (ITP).
Key Exam Areas & Preparation
The exam focuses on applying knowledge in practical scenarios rather than rote memorization. Key areas include:
- Calculations & Dosage Forms: Dosage calculations and preparation.
- Clinical Reasoning: Therapeutics and disease state management.
- Legal & Ethical Frameworks: Pharmacy laws and professional practice.
Tips for Success
- Resources: Utilize approved reference materials, as the exam is open-book.
- Practice: Engage in mock exams to familiarize yourself with the 75-question format.
- Time Management: With 75 questions in 2 hours, efficient searching in references is crucial.
- Study Focus: Concentrate on high-risk areas like calculations, drug interactions, and legal, ethical scenarios.
Eligibility
To be allowed to sit the Australian pharmacy intern written exam, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA).
Firstly, applicants must hold provisional registration with the PBA, either currently or in the recent past. This confirms that they are formally recognised as pharmacy interns within the Australian regulatory framework and are undertaking, or have undertaken, supervised practice in an approved setting.
In addition, candidates are required to have completed a substantial portion of their supervised training before attempting the exam. Specifically, at least 75% of the total 1,575 required supervised practice hours must be finished, which equates to a minimum of 1,182 hours. This requirement ensures that interns have gained sufficient hands-on experience in real pharmacy environments and have been exposed to a wide range of professional responsibilities.
The intern written exam is a major milestone in the registration pathway, serving as one of the final steps before an intern can move from provisional registration to general registration. By enforcing these eligibility criteria, the PBA helps ensure that candidates attempting the exam are adequately prepared, both in terms of practical experience and professional readiness, for independent pharmacy practice.
How we assist candidates in clearing this exam
Exact examination Q&A bank
Previous Score upgrade
Direct certificate:
Other Exams:
General Practice
Specialist Medical Exams
Dentists
Nurses/Midwifery
Pharmacists
Our Community
Your career progression starts here. Join professionals who have achieved faster, smarter outcomes with Meds Pathway.
Experience the proven success of Meds Pathway—where expertise, trust, and results define every journey.
At Meds Pathway, we are defined by our commitment to excellence and our dedication to supporting aspiring medical professionals in achieving their certification and licensure goals. Our reputation is built on results, professionalism, and trust—but beyond our own standards, the experiences of our clients speak for themselves.
Successful Candidates
Years of Industry Experience:
Global success rate
Recognition
