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Have you got the right PDA membership following the November 2023 assessment?

The PDA has membership categories for all students and exam candidates, whatever the outcome and whenever they sat their assessment.

Tue 5th December 2023 The PDA

In November, trainee pharmacists and some re-sitters sat their assessment exam; the results will be announced on Tuesday 5 December 2023.

The PDA has once again reviewed its membership arrangements, adjusted internal systems, and undertook significant work with underwriters to ensure that whether a trainee or a re-sitter, there is a PDA membership policy available for everyone.

Early Careers membership categories

Student and trainee membership – FREE

Supporting future pharmacists with free student and trainee membership continues to be a key objective for the PDA. Therefore, membership for pharmacy students is FREE for all four years of study.

FREE trainee pharmacist membership is also given to the incoming cohort of new graduates who become trainees (commencing training in 2023 to end in 2024).

Potential pharmacist membership – FREE

There are a variety of circumstances in which individuals may find themselves no longer a student, not currently on a foundation training scheme, but still working towards becoming a pharmacist. For example:

  • Unsuccessful in the November 2023 examinations.
  • Eligible but have chosen not to sit the autumn assessment.
  • Waiting to re-sit the exams after a previous attempt or having never sat the exam since being signed off the training scheme (including in Northern Ireland).

The PDA refers to individuals in these circumstances as ‘potential pharmacists’ to differentiate them from those currently on a formal training scheme. The ‘potential pharmacists’ membership category was created to support members with benefits that match those of trainee pharmacists.

Newly Qualified (NQ) membership – FREE

The PDA’s newly qualified policy provides up to 3 months of membership FREE for those who join immediately after they have successfully passed their assessment examination. This helps to alleviate the financial pressure for new registrants at a time when they are paying the costs of an exam, registration, etc. Those who have passed the autumn 2023 assessment can join the PDA as NQ members from now until 29 February 2024.

First-year Qualified (FYQ) membership – £99

After 29 February 2024, or at the expiry of a newly qualified membership, PDA members (other than those in GP practice) can renew as first-year qualified members for a reduced price of just £99 for their first full year of membership.

NQ pharmacists who are working in GP practice should join a normal GP practice membership category.

If you are unsure of the right category of membership at the FYQ application stage, please contact the PDA Support Centre.

Membership for those that passed the assessment

Those that passed the assessment should apply for FREE newly qualified membership.

The policy will expire on 29 February 2024 at which time you will need to renew to a first-year qualified policy unless you work in a GP practice. The PDA will send you a reminder when it is time to renew your membership.

Membership for those that did not pass the assessment

If you are currently on a trainee pharmacist policy, please apply for the potential pharmacist policy. You will also have access to PDA Education’s support for your future assessment re-sit.

Not yet a member?

If you passed 

  • You should apply for the FREE newly qualified policy which will be valid until 29 February 2024.

If you did not pass

  • Join the PDA as a potential pharmacist now. Membership is FREE and includes access to PDA Education’s support for your future assessment re-sit.

Learn more

DOWNLOAD the MEMBERSHIP FLOWCHART here

thumbnail of Autumn assessment flowchart 2023 – Copy

Not yet a PDA member? 

If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.

Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.

JOIN THE PDA TODAY

Read about our key member benefits here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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