English for pharmacists in Great Britain: the GPhC's IELTS 7 in every skill, Pharmacy OET B, and the two routes with no test
To register as a pharmacist in Great Britain with a qualification from outside the UK, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) usually asks for IELTS Academic with an overall 7 and at least 7 in each of reading, writing, listening and speaking, or the Pharmacy OET with at least a B in each skill, both at one sitting. A recent English-taught pharmacy degree or two years' practice in a mainly English-speaking country can replace the test.
Source: the GPhC's Guidance on evidence of English language skills (updated June 2025), linked from its registration pages as of 10 November 2026, when we read it.
The two tests, and the versions that do not count
IELTS Academic, including IELTS for UKVI (Academic), with an overall score of at least 7 and no score below 7 in any of the four skills. The GPhC does not accept the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests.
Pharmacy OET, on paper or on computer, with at least a B in each of the four skills. The GPhC does not accept OET@Home. Share your result with the GPhC in the myOET portal as well as sending a print-out, or your application is delayed.
Both must be achieved at one sitting: the guidance gives no way of combining two test dates.
"Recent" means less than two years old
A test result, a qualification or a period of practice counts as recent if it is less than two years old when you apply.
An older IELTS or OET result may still be accepted if you show you kept up your English: for example, you have since worked as a pharmacy professional in a mainly English-speaking country, with at least 75% of your day-to-day interaction with patients, carers and colleagues in English.
Two routes that need no test
A recent pharmacy qualification taught and examined in English in a mainly English-speaking country other than the UK. The whole course must have been in English, and at least 75% of any in-service training too.
At least two years' recent practice as a pharmacy professional in a mainly English-speaking country, with a detailed written reference from your employer showing your reading, writing, listening and speaking. If you passed an English test to register in that country, you can send that as evidence.
"Mainly English-speaking" means the Home Office's list of majority English-speaking countries, plus Ireland.
When you send the evidence
If you have to complete the Overseas Pharmacists' Assessment Programme (OSPAP), you send your English evidence with your application to start the OSPAP, not at the end.
If you qualified in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you send it with your registration application, and the GPhC expects it to be obtained before you apply. You pay the test fee yourself, and you can appeal if the GPhC decides your English is not sufficient.
How the GPhC compares
This comparison is ours. The GPhC is stricter than the NMC for nurses, which asks 6.5 in writing, lets you combine two sittings and accepts OET@Home. It is close to the GMC for doctors, which asks 7 in each skill with 7.5 overall. See English test scores for nurses, English test scores for doctors and HCPC English requirements. For how the tests score: IELTS bands and OET scores.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Booking OET@Home to save travel.
Booking the Pharmacy OET on paper or on computer at a test centre.
The GPhC's guidance says it does not accept OET@Home.
Counting on a 7.5 overall to carry a 6.5 in writing.
Aiming for 7 in every skill in the same sitting.
The GPhC asks no score below 7 in any of the four skills, at one sitting.
Sitting the test after the OSPAP place is offered.
Having the result ready for the OSPAP application.
English evidence is part of the application to start the OSPAP.
Questions
What IELTS score does the GPhC require for pharmacists?
IELTS Academic (including IELTS for UKVI Academic) with an overall score of at least 7 and no score below 7 in reading, writing, listening or speaking, at one sitting.
Does the GPhC accept OET?
Yes, the Pharmacy OET on paper or on computer, with at least a B in each of the four skills at one sitting. It does not accept OET@Home.
How long is an English test valid for GPhC registration?
It must be less than two years old when you apply. An older result may be accepted if you show you kept up your English, for example by working in a mainly English-speaking country.
Can I register with the GPhC without an English test?
Yes, with a recent pharmacy qualification taught and examined in English in a mainly English-speaking country other than the UK, or at least two years' recent practice as a pharmacy professional in such a country, with a detailed employer reference.
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