NZ Intern Pharmacist AC
New Zealand Intern Pharmacist Assessment (Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand Intern Training)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The New Zealand Intern Pharmacist Assessment sits at the end of the intern year, when a pharmacy graduate moves from supervised practice to registration as a pharmacist. The Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (PSNZ) delivers intern training through its Education and Training arm, and the assessment draws on that programme. Candidates are typically interns completing supervised practice in community, hospital or other settings who need to demonstrate they can practise safely and independently. The exam spans the two areas PSNZ groups its intern work under: intern training itself, covering the education and training programme, and practice resources, audit support and recertification, covering the professional tools and quality-assurance systems a practising pharmacist uses. Expect questions that test applied judgement rather than recall alone - interpreting practice resources, understanding audit and recertification expectations, and knowing how the training programme's requirements translate into day-to-day decisions. To prepare, work through the PSNZ Education and Training pages, including Intern Training and PACT, and use MyLearning for structured modules. Read the Practice Resources, Audit Support and Recertification sections so you know what support exists and when to use it. Practise explaining your reasoning aloud, because assessment tasks often reward a clear, defensible process over a memorised answer. Note that this page is independent study material and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or published by PSNZ; always confirm current requirements directly with PSNZ.
What you'll study
About NZ Intern Pharmacist AC preparation
Who runs the New Zealand Intern Pharmacist Assessment?
Intern training is delivered under PSNZ's Education and Training area, which lists Intern Training, PACT and the PSNZ Learning Directory. This page is independent and not affiliated with PSNZ. Check the PSNZ Education and Training pages directly for authoritative requirements, dates and any changes to assessment arrangements.
What does the assessment cover?
Two broad areas: Intern Training (the PSNZ education and training programme, including PACT) and Practice Resources, Audit Support and Recertification. Questions tend to test applied judgement - how you use a resource, when an audit or recertification process applies - rather than isolated facts.
How long is the exam and how many questions?
The available PSNZ source material does not state a question count, duration, or passing score for the assessment, so we do not publish figures. Confirm the current format, timing and pass standard with PSNZ before you plan your revision schedule.
Is there a fee, and can I retake it?
The source does not state an assessment fee or a retake policy. Note that PSNZ membership renewal is separate from any assessment fee - the site advertises 2027 membership open, which concerns membership, not exam costs. Ask PSNZ directly about fees, resit rules and any waiting periods.
How should I order my study?
Start with the Intern Training material so you understand what the programme expects of you, then move to Practice Resources, Audit Support and Recertification, which frame how you work once registered. Use MyLearning modules to structure the first pass, then revisit weak areas with applied scenarios.
What resources should I actually read?
Work through the PSNZ Education and Training section, the Intern Training and PACT pages, the Learning Directory and MyLearning. Then read Practice Resources, Audit Support and Recertification Support. These are the areas the assessment is built around, so familiarity with them saves time on scenario questions.
Where do candidates commonly lose marks?
Usually not from missing facts but from weak process: jumping to an answer without checking the relevant resource, ignoring audit or documentation steps, or failing to explain the reasoning behind a recommendation. Practise justifying each step as if explaining it to a supervising pharmacist.
Does the Extended Pharmacy Services expansion affect my exam?
Health New Zealand expanded the conditions and treatments available through Extended Pharmacy Services from 1 October 2026, and PSNZ updated its EPS resources and guidance. That is a service-scope change, not an announced assessment-format change. Know the current EPS guidance, but do not assume exam structure has changed.
How current is this page?
It is based on PSNZ website material retrieved on 7 November 2026. Assessment details can change without notice, and the source does not give an effective date for any change to assessment requirements. Treat this as orientation only and verify everything with PSNZ.