Providing evidence of English language competencyWe need to check that the pharmacy professionals returning to or applying to join the register have sufficient English language competence to practise safely and effectively. This requirement is set out in the Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015.

If you need to provide evidence of your English language competency, read this guidance to help decide which type of evidence you submit, and to make sure you provide the right information. Only use the form included in this pack if you want to submit type three evidence below.

You can find out more about what information we hold, how we look after it and how we use it in our privacy policy on our main website, and also on myGPhC.

What evidence can I provide?There are three types of acceptable evidence you can provide:

1. A pass result of the academic version of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. The result must include: an overall score of at least 7 scores of at least 7 in each four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking all scores achieved in one sitting of the test

The result should be from a test taken no more than two years before the date of your application.

You will need to request that your test result is sent directly to us, rather than enclosing it with your application. You can request this on your IELTS application form, or you can contact your test centre to request a duplicate test result. You can find out more on the IELTS website, www.ielts.org. We are not able to return test result documents to you.

Request that your result is sent to:

International ApplicationsGeneral Pharmaceutical Council25 Canada SquareLondonE14 5LQ

Important: if you did not use your passport as identification when sitting the IELTS test, you must include a certified copy of that document in your application to us. This is so we can verify that you are both the person who sat the test and who is applying to return to the register.

We may accept IELTS test scores that are more than two years old if you can provide evidence to demonstrate that you have maintained your English language proficiency during that time. Please contact us to discuss this.

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2. A pharmacy qualification that has taken three or more years to complete and has been taught and examined in English, in a ‘majority English speaking’ country other than the UK.

The gov.uk website lists the countries defined as ‘majority English speaking’.

The qualification must have been awarded to you no more than two years before the date of your application.

The entire course must have been taught and examined in English. At least 75 per cent of any in-service training (including clinical interaction, contact with patients, their carers and other healthcare professionals) that you completed as part of the course must have been carried out in English.

You will need to be able to show that your training provided you with the opportunity to demonstrate your ability in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English.

Please include a certified copy of your qualification certificate, and a copy of your course transcript which shows what topics you covered, so we can check that your qualification meets the criteria above.

3. Practice for at least two years as a pharmacist or pharmacy technician in a majority English speaking country.

You must provide a detailed written reference from your employer(s) which sets out your knowledge of English. The reference must:

relate to a period of practice carried out in the two years before the date of your application clearly show that you can read, write and communicate with patients, pharmacy service users,

relatives and healthcare professionals in English be objective and independent be verifiable by recognised higher education institutions, regulators or other official bodies

If you chose to submit this type of evidence, give the pharmacy employer reference form included in this pack to your employer so they can complete a reference for you.

If you passed an English language test to be able to register and practise as a pharmacy professional in another majority English speaking country, you should include evidence of this.

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English language competency reference formTo the referee:

We need to check that the pharmacy professionals on our register have sufficient English language competence to practise safely and effectively. This requirement is set out in the Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015.

Please complete this form so that we can use this information to assess the applicant’s English language competency. You must provide examples to illustrate how each of the four skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading has been demonstrated by the applicant.

Applicant name      

Referee details

Referee name      

Job title      

Relationship to applicant (e.g. tutor, employer)

     

Work email address      

Work phone number      

Are you registered with the GPhC?

Yes No If ‘yes’, please give your registration number:

Are you registered with another healthcare regulator in the UK or elsewhere?

Yes No If ‘yes’, please give details below:

Regulator name      

Registration number      

Employment or work experience details

     

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Organisation name      

Placement address      

Start date (DD MM YY)                  

End date (if applicable)                  

Hours worked per week   

Job title      

Main responsibilities and duties

     

Have at least 75% of the applicant’s day to day interaction during this time with patients, carers, their families and other healthcare professionals been in English?

Yes No

About the applicant’s English skills

Does the applicant have the knowledge of English necessary for safe and effective pharmacy practise in Great Britain?

Yes No

If no, please provide reasons below:

     

Evidence of English language skills

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For each of the four skills listed below, please tick to show which areas of language use you have witnessed and give an example of how the applicant has demonstrated their skill in the particular area. We may contact you to provide evidence to support your answers.

Speaking skills

Area Give an example of how the applicant demonstrated their knowledge of their speaking skills

Case presentation      

Speaking with patients and carers

Speaking with pharmacy colleagues and other healthcare professionals

Other

Listening skills

Area Give an example of how the applicant demonstrated their knowledge of their listening skills

Attendance at lectures or presentations

     

Discussions with patients and carers

Discussions with pharmacy colleagues and other healthcare professionals

Taking of patient histories effectively

Other

Writing skills

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Area Give an example of how the applicant demonstrated their knowledge of their writing skills

Written advice to patients and carers

     

Written advice or information for pharmacy colleagues or other healthcare professionals

Journal articles or reviews

Critical incident reports, audits

Standard operating procedures

Other

Reading skills

Area Give an example of how the applicant demonstrated their knowledge of their reading skills

Summary of Product Characteristics

     

Standard Operating Procedures

Patient medical records

Other

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Declaration

As the applicant’s English language competency referee, I declare that:

1. the information I have given in the form is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge

2. I consent to the GPhC contacting me to verify the information I have given

Signed Date

Please return your completed form to the applicant.

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