Pharmacist Registration

Application process for former registrants (i.e. those who left the Register in good standing) – if you wish to re-register, portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

Important information relevant to your application is available here 

Early CPD Requirements

Early CPD requirements will apply to those applicants who fall into the following categories:

• a pharmacist applying for restoration to the Register, having previously been removed from the Register for non-compliance with the CPD Framework;
• a pharmacist applying to re-join the Register, having voluntarily withdrawn from the Register during a previous CPD year but having failed to submit a CPD portfolio for that year;
• a pharmacist applying to rejoin the Register, having not been registered as a pharmacists within the last 12 months.

Please review the CPD Framework  for early CPD requirements.

Application process for applicants first registered in GB – if you first registered in GB, portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

Important information relevant to your application is available here 

Application process for applicants first registered in EEA or Switzerland – if you first registered in EEA or Switzerland, please click portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

Important information relevant to your application is available here 

 European Qualifications (Pharmacists) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2019

Application process for applicants first registered outside of GB, EEA or Switzerland – Currently the Pharmaceutical Society NI does not recognise pharmacy qualifications obtained outside of GB, EEA or Switzerland.

Further information is available here 

Annotation as an Independent Prescriber – if you wish to be annotated as an Independent Prescriber, please click portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

Important information relevant to your application is available here 

Application process on completion of pre-registration training/foundation training year – portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

Replacement registration certificates – if you require a replacement registration certificate, please visit portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login and complete the application for replacement certificate.

Current fees are as follows
Registration
Registration fee		£398.00
Retention on the register (1st June annually)
Retention on the register		£398.00
Restoration to the register
Penalty fee charged in addition to the retention fee, for default in payment of retention fee.		£75.00
Fee charged in addition to the registration fee, for restoation of name to the register following removal by Statutory Committee		£121.00
Pre-Registration
Registration fee		£206.00
Retention fee		£10.00
Examination fee		£174.00
Resit examination fee		£174.00
Misc Fees
Lost/Replacement certificate		£5.00

 

The registration year in Northern Ireland runs from 1 June to 31 May annually therefore to retain registration you will be required to complete the retention process (including paying registration fees) on 1 June every year after restoration.

Former registrant’s who had previously been removed by Council for non-compliance with CPD requirements, non-payment or fees or removed by Statutory Committee can apply for restoration to the register. In deciding on any such application, the Registrar may require the applicant to undertake additional education, training or experience as a condition for restoration to the Register.  This will include an additional 30 hours continuing education and the submission of a Personal Development Plan.

Early CPD Requirements

Early CPD requirements will apply to those applicants who fall into the following categories:

• a pharmacist applying for restoration to the Register, having previously been removed from the Register for non-compliance with the CPD Framework;
• a pharmacist applying to re-join the Register, having voluntarily withdrawn from the Register during a previous CPD year but having failed to submit a CPD portfolio for that year;
• a pharmacist applying to rejoin the Register, having not been registered as a pharmacists within the last 12 months.

Please review the CPD Framework  for early CPD requirements.

Once the Registrar’s requirements have been satisfied, the Application for restoration to the register will take approximately 21 days to process. Please ensure that the application form has been completed correctly and any supporting documents are submitted with your application.

It is important that all applicants to join the register of pharmaceutical chemists are competent to be registered. Competence may be evidenced in a number of ways but always includes evidence of qualification and training.

If you have been registered with another pharmacy regulatory body within the 12 months leading to your application for restoration to the register you are required to submit a Certificate of Current Professional Status from your most recent regulatory body. A Certificate of Current Professional Status (CCPS) notes your ‘good standing’ with a regulator and outlines details about your registration, i.e. university attended, qualification and pre-registration training details and Fitness to Practise. This will generally be accepted as meeting the evidential standard.

Please complete the Equality monitoring form and return in a sealed envelope marked for the attention of the monitoring officer. Equality Monitoring Form.

Please note we will require Certificates of current professional status from any regulator you are currently or have previously been registered with whilst you have been off the register in Northern Ireland. You must apply directly to the regulator for this certificate. They will then send the certificate on directly to us.

An applicant is not permitted to practise until they have confirmation that they are registered.

An applicant can further check their registration status by checking the online register 

If paying by telephone, please contact our finance department on 02890 326927 and select option 4. Please note that payment can only be made by telephone if using a debit card.

Please note the Pharmaceutical Society of NI does not accept credit cards. 

We recommend secure mail when posting documents in support of applications.

Professional indemnity arrangements for pharmacists in Northern Ireland

It is a statutory requirement of registration for practising pharmacists in Northern Ireland to have an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement in respect of liabilities which may be incurred in practising under the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, Article 11A.

An indemnity arrangement may comprise—

(a) a policy of insurance;

(b) an arrangement made for the purposes of indemnifying a person; or

(c) a combination of the two.

Pharmacists also have a personal responsibility to ensure that they have an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement in place for activities undertaken by them or under their control under Standard 2.1.7 of the Professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland (2016).

Standard 2.1.7

Ensure that all professional activities undertaken by you, or under your control, are covered by appropriate professional indemnity arrangements.

The requirement for an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement can be met via an employer’s arrangement for those who are employed or by having an individual professional arrangement or a combination of the two.

A pharmacist seeking to join, be restored to or be retained on the register must declare in writing, at the time of application or retention, that they have or will have a professional indemnity arrangement in place by the time they begin to practise.

The requirement for having professional indemnity arrangement is linked to registration and a pharmacist who is unable to complete the required declarations or, in some circumstances, provide supporting evidence may have their application for registration, restoration or retention refused.

Where the Registrar intends to refuse an application for registration, restoration or retention on the register, or where the Registrar intends to remove a name from the register, the pharmacist has a the right of appeal to the Statutory Committee in accordance with procedures set out in Article 10 of The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Indemnity Arrangements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014.

You can view ‘frequently asked questions’ about this requirement below.

Please note that the Pharmaceutical Society NI cannot offer advice on what type and level of professional indemnity arrangement is appropriate.

Professional guidance and advice on professional indemnity arrangements should be sought, where appropriate, from a professional body, trade union or defence organisation, or specialist insurers/advisors.

Professional indemnity arrangements and Fitness to Practise

It is the responsibility of pharmacists to ensure that they have or will have a professional indemnity arrangement and that it is appropriate to their area of practice.

Whilst in the majority of circumstances failure to hold an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement means that an individual who is unable to complete the required declarations or, in some circumstances, provide supporting evidence may have their application for registration, restoration or retention refused, in some circumstances failure may be treated as misconduct. In these cases, the Registrar must consider, in accordance with Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order (1976) Schedule 3, paragraph 5(1) whether to refer the matter to the Scrutiny Committee or (where regulations under paragraph 5(1) of that Schedule so provide) to the Statutory Committee.

 The Registrar will consider initiating a Fitness to Practise investigation, if he / she believes a pharmacist:

• has made a false declaration that they have a professional indemnity arrangement in place while practising;
• registered or renewed their registration with the Pharmaceutical Society NI but has cancelled their professional indemnity arrangement and has failed to put an alternative professional indemnity arrangement in place; or
• has a professional indemnity arrangement which is not appropriate for their practice, as set out in Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order (1976), Article 11A.

I am employed as a pharmacist. What will the requirement mean for me?

It is anticipated that most pharmacists meet this requirement as many work in a managed environment where they are indemnified by their employers.

As the indemnity declaration, which is required as part of the application for registration, restoration or retention, is made by the pharmacist, they are required to check that their employer’s indemnity arrangements cover the full scope of their practice.

I am a self-employed pharmacist. What will the requirement mean for me?

Self-employed pharmacists must ensure that they will have an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement in place.

I undertake a combination of self-employed and employed work as a pharmacist.

Pharmacists undertaking a combination of employed and self-employed work, or if they work for more than one employer, must ensure that they will have an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement in place for each area where they practice.

I am currently not practising will I need a professional indemnity arrangement?

Pharmacists who are not practising are not required to have professional indemnity arrangement in place unless they practise.

Pharmacists returning to practise will be required to obtain and provide evidence, if requested, of an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement prior to returning to practise.

I am a registered pharmacist in Northern Ireland, but I work as a lecturer, not in direct healthcare. How does this affect me?

The statutory requirement is for all registered pharmacists who are practising in Northern Ireland to have a professional indemnity arrangement in place.

In such circumstances, a pharmacist must ensure that their employer’s indemnity arrangement is appropriate and relevant to the pharmacist’s scope of practice.

What about Good Samaritan acts?

A Good Samaritan act is where clinical assistance is given in a medical emergency, which a pharmacist may happen upon in a personal rather than professional situation. The legislation requires a pharmacist to have professional indemnity arrangement for actions or deeds undertaken as part of their employment or self-employment. Good Samaritan acts sit outside this requirement.

However, pharmacists should seek advice from their professional association, union or insurer, in relation to any insurance cover required for Good Samaritan acts.

What is vicarious liability?

The principle of vicarious liability is that an employer can be liable for the wrongs (e.g. negligence) committed by an employee in the course of their employment. It does not mean that the employee is no longer liable for their own negligence including meeting any indemnity requirements.

How will Pharmaceutical Society NI check that a professional indemnity arrangement is in place?

Pharmacists applying to join, be restored to or be retained on the register will be required to complete the indemnity arrangement declaration, confirming that:

• they have professional indemnity arrangement in place that is appropriate to their scope of practice and can provide evidence of this indemnity cover, if requested; or

• if they are not practising at the time of the application, that they will have an indemnity arrangement in place before starting to practise.

The Pharmaceutical Society NI will not routinely seek evidence of professional indemnity arrangements but may request a copy of the professional indemnity arrangement or such other information deemed necessary to determine that an appropriate indemnity arrangement is in place within a specified timeframe.

The statutory requirement for pharmacists to have an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement is a condition of registration with the Pharmaceutical Society NI. Failure to satisfactorily complete the indemnity insurance declaration may result in an application to join, be restored to or be retained on the register being refused.

A pharmacist who is practising must promptly inform the Registrar when an appropriate indemnity arrangement ceases, in accordance with Article 6 of The Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Indemnity Arrangements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014. In such cases, the Registrar will seek assurances that the pharmacist will not practise until an appropriate indemnity arrangement is restored.

A pharmacist must be able to provide information regarding their indemnity arrangement on request to any person wishing to access their services.

What is an appropriate professional indemnity arrangement?

It is for individual pharmacist to assure themselves of the appropriateness of their professional indemnity cover.

Appropriate cover means that the professional indemnity arrangement in place is appropriate to the pharmacist’s role, scope of practice and the risks involved with their practice. The professional indemnity arrangement must be sufficient to meet the costs of litigation and any successful claim for compensation.

Levels and types of professional indemnity arrangement will vary from professional to professional and advice should be sought from specialist insurers/advisors on the appropriateness of professional indemnity arrangements having regard to the pharmacist’s circumstances.

Pharmacists should ensure that they understand the terms of their Professional Indemnity arrangement and should declare all relevant information to their indemnity provider which may influence a provider’s decision whether to offer cover.

An independent review on the introduction of regulator led indemnity arrangements recommended to the UK government that:

‘Provided that there has been full disclosure of relevant facts, in the event that personal cover for self-employed practice is alleged to be inappropriate, pharmacists should be entitled to rely on the defence that they have acted in accordance with the proposals of their insurer or indemnifier.’^[1]

It is anticipated that this situation will apply to complaints received by the Pharmaceutical Society NI.

How will the Pharmaceutical Society NI judge appropriateness?

Pharmacists should assure themselves of the appropriateness of their professional indemnity arrangement.

The Pharmaceutical Society NI will investigate any complaint made whereby evidence is produced of an inappropriate professional indemnity arrangement.

During the course of an investigation, we will rely upon the advice of appropriately qualified insurance and indemnity experts.

What is the difference between insurance and professional indemnity?

Public liability insurance can cover compensation claims if you’re sued by a member of the public for injury or damage, while professional indemnity insurance can cover compensation claims if you’re sued by a client for a mistake that you make in your work.

Should I get insurance or an indemnity arrangement?

To meet the requirements of the legislation, either insurance or a professional indemnity arrangement is acceptable.  However, whichever form is chosen must be appropriate for the nature and risks of your practice.

Where can I find guidance or support to help me choose an appropriate provider?

Practicing pharmacists must assure themselves that they have professional indemnity arrangement in place that is appropriate to their scope of practice. The Pharmaceutical Society NI cannot advise about the level and type of arrangement you will need.

Pharmacists should seek advice from their professional body, trade union/defence organisation, specialist insurer (if appropriate) or their employer.

[1]  F Scott (2010) Independent review of the requirement to have insurance or indemnity as a condition of registration as a healthcare professional.  Available at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/216297/dh_117457.pdf .

 

Change of address – it is the registrant’s responsibility to ensure that their contact details remain up to date. To change your address, portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

 

Change of name and/or title – it is the registrant’s responsibility to ensure that their personal details remain up to date. To change your name and/or title, portal.psni.org.uk/Account/Login

Important information relevant to your application is available here 

 

Change of email address – it is the registrant’s responsibility to ensure that their contact details remain up to date. To change your email address, please send an email to registration@psni.org.uk stating your name, registration number and the email address that you want to use.

 

The registration year in Northern Ireland runs from 1 June to 31 May annually therefore to retain registration you will be required to complete the retention process (including paying registration fees) on 01 June every year after first registration.

Registrants, who wish to be voluntarily removed from the register of Pharmaceutical Chemists in Northern Ireland, may apply to leave in accordance with Regulation 7(6) of the Council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (Fitness to Practise and Disqualification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012. Normally, registrants who are subject to fitness to practise procedures will not be permitted to remove their name from the register by voluntary request.

Each application is processed by the Registrar in accordance with these Regulations.

If a registrant wishes to withdraw near the end of a retention year, a correctly completed withdrawal application (with a removal date no later than 31 May) must be received no later than midnight on 10 May. Any late applications will only be accepted at the discretion of the Registrar.

In order to be removed from the register you submit an application for withdrawal via the online portal. Any registrant leaving by voluntary request must be able to produce evidence they have met their obligations for Continuing Professional Development whilst on the register as set out in the CPD framework.

Once an application to withdraw by request is received, the registrant will receive an automated acknowledgement. If a registrant does not receive an acknowledgement, they should contact the Society seeking confirmation. The Society will inform the registrant if their application to withdraw by request from the register has been successful or is on hold for any reason, e.g. pending fulfilment of CPD obligations.

Please note that these applications take approximately 21 days to process.

Once withdrawal from the register has been confirmed, the original registration certificate must be returned to the Society within 14 days. If the registration certificate cannot be returned for any reason, you must email the registration department at registration@psni.org.uk for advice. 

Below is a list for each calendar year detailing the applications granted for voluntary withdrawal from the register.

Please check the register, phone registration at 02890326927 or email registration@psni.org.uk to check the current status of any pharmacist.

Voluntary removal lists:

Voluntary removals 2020

Voluntary removals 2019

Voluntary removals 2018

Voluntary-removals-2017

Voluntary-removals-2016

Voluntary removals 2015

Voluntary removals 2014

Voluntary removals 2013

Reporting the death of a registrant – information regarding this process is available here 

Removal of registrants for non-payment of fees

The registration year in Northern Ireland runs from 01 June to 31 May annually therefore to retain registration you will be required to complete the retention process (including paying registration fees) on or before 01 June every year after first registration.

All registrants are contacted individually by letter to offer annual retention at their current registered address. It is every registrant’s responsibility to update the Registrar on any change to their address.

The annual fee is due on or before the 01 June of each calendar year. Statutory notification will be given (normally 01 July), as defined in the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 to those pharmacists who have not paid their retention fee by that date. Following this notice, the names of those registrants who have not paid their fees are submitted to Council. The Registrar will request Council to instruct the removal from the register of those registrants who remain unpaid two months after the statutory notice has been given. There is an additional fee payable for registrants removed from the register for non-payment of fees before restoration to the register.