APC revamps CAOP exam

THE Australian Pharmacy Council (APC) has announced significant changes to the Competency Assessment for Overseas Pharmacists (CAOP) examination, as part of a continuous improvement program to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

To be implemented from next month, the examination has been cut from three hours to two, with the removal of a short answer question and a total of 70 multiple choice questions overall.

Exams are delivered using the Pearson VUE computerised platform, which randomises the order of the questions.

The CAOP exam is a restricted open-book exam, allowing candidates to bring a maximum of three prescribed references into the exam room including the Australian Medicines Handbook, the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary and the British National Formulary.

Marking criteria has also changed, with an overall pass mark now all that is required to satisfy the requirements, rather than the previous criteria requiring several mandatory sub-scores.

The CAOP exam assesses whether eligible candidates have the prerequisite knowledge, skills and ability to apply that knowledge for safe and effective professional practice within Australia.

It does not include questions on the legislative or regulatory framework for pharmacy practice in Australia, but rather gives candidates the opportunity to “demonstrate their competency to practise in a safe and effective manner through the analysis and evaluation of medicine related problems”.

Currently the fee charged for the CAOP exam is $1,845 per attempt, and upon satisfactory completion pharmacists are also required to complete the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s registration requirements in order to be eligible for limited registration.

Only two attempts are permitted, with a practice examination in the revised format as well as other guidance documents available at pharmacycouncil.org.au.