Information on Pre-registration training in Northern Ireland is available in the Guidance Notes.

Trainee Information

All trainees must hold a degree in pharmacy, which is recognised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland or the General Pharmaceutical Council.  All students must produce written evidence of having been awarded a degree from a recognised University before any period of pre-registration training can commence.

Pre-registration trainees must organise their own training placement where there is a suitably qualified pre-registration tutor in registered premises.

Only those premises registered for pre-registration training can accept a pre-registration trainee.

Applications

Applications should be received by the Society at least three months prior to the anticipated start date.  The application form for 2012/13 is now available using the link below:

Application to Register as a Trainee of the Society 2012-13

Late applications will be considered but a late administration charge of £100 will be levied and this must be included with the application in addition to the required fee.

All forms must be fully completed in order for an application to be accepted.  Incomplete forms will be returned to the applicant.

No period of training should be undertaken by any graduate until they have confirmation from the Society that their application is accepted.

For the training year 2012-2013, pre-registration training may commence between 2nd July 2012 and 17th September 2012.

***IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING DOCUMENTATION - PLEASE READ ****

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland require a certified true copy of your birth certificate, this will be accepted in either of the following formats (this will not be returned):

a) Original birth certificate

b) A certified true copy can be obtained from NI Direct Government Services (for Northern Ireland), the General Register Office (GRO) (for England and Wales) and the General Register Office for Scotland.  Details on how to obtain a certified copy and what fees are involved are available using the relevant link:

for Northern Ireland,
 http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/government-citizens-and-rights/births-and-registration.htm

for England and Wales,
 http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/

for Scotland,
 http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/famrec/bdm.html 

c) A copy of the certificate can be certified as a true copy by either a notary* or a solicitor, a list of solicitors in Northern Ireland who are 'Notaries Public' can be found on the Law Society of Northern Irelands website using the link below:
 http://www.lawsoc-ni.org/about-us/notaries

*Under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, all solicitors are commissioners for oaths, which means that they can witness official documents other than those prepared by themselves or their opponents in a case.  A notary public is an officer who can administer oaths and statuatory declarations, witness and authenticate documents, and perform certain other acts depending on the jurisdiction.
 

Employer Information

Any pharmacist who wishes to employ a pre-registration trainee must ensure their premises are registered for this purpose.  This process is now completed on a annual basis and is included in your Trainees application form (see Page 13 of Pre-registration application form).

Trainees must have access to the current editions of the specified reference sources.

The Guidance Notes contain information regarding pre-registration training requirements of employers.

Tutor Information

For a pharmacist to act as a pre-registration tutor he/she (i) must have been in practice in the aspect of pharmacy with which the particular establishment is concerned for a minimum of three years and (ii) must have attended a recognised tutor training course.  A pharmacist who has completed the tutor training course must attend a further up-date course every five years.

The Guidance Notes contain information regarding pre-registration training requirements of tutors.