Pharmacy oral exam dates 2026: periods and Ahpra application deadlines

2026 pharmacy oral examination schedule

The Pharmacy Board of Australia schedules the oral examination (practice) three times each year. Ahpra conducts the oral examination on the Board’s behalf. The key date for candidates is the application closing date, because applications must be lodged well before the examination window.

How the examination period dates work

The published period is not a statement that every candidate will be examined on the first day, or that examinations occur every day across every jurisdiction. Candidates are allocated a specific date, time and venue after the application window closes. Until that allocation arrives, keep the relevant examination period available where practical.

How early do you need to apply?

Applications close weeks before the examination period begins. Pharmacy interns should use the current APOE-60 form and follow Ahpra’s current submission instructions. The candidate guide states that late applications are not accepted, so do not plan around the examination month alone.

Before applying, confirm that you expect to meet the current supervised-practice threshold. Under the current modified internship requirements, interns need 1,181 hours, representing 75% of the 1,575 hours required for general registration.

What happens after the closing date?

Once applications close, eligible candidates are allocated examination arrangements and receive timetable information by email before the examination period. Check that Ahpra has your current contact details and monitor your inbox, including junk or spam folders.

If you missed the October 2026 closing date

The candidate guide states that late applications are not accepted. If you did not lodge a valid application by 31 July 2026, check the Pharmacy Board’s current schedule for the next available examination period rather than assuming a late October application can be accepted.

What to do between application and exam day

Use the waiting period to shift from passive study to spoken practice. Review the exam format, work through the exam checklist, and practise realistic Part C prescription scenarios aloud.