The Equivalence and exemption process is for pharmacists* who are working in primary care network (PCN) funded roles or for pharmacists who have been asked by their employer to demonstrate their competence in a primary care role.
The Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES) contract framework states that pharmacy professionals employed using NHS Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) funding must be either enrolled in, or have qualified from, one of the NHS-commissioned CPPE training pathways. These are the Primary care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP), the General practice pharmacist training pathway (GPPTP), the Clinical pharmacists in general practice education pathway (CPGPE) and the Medicines optimisation in care homes training for pharmacy professionals (MOCH). The current pathway is PCPEP. Pharmacists in these roles must also be a prescriber or complete separate training as an independent prescriber, which is also funded by the NHS.
Some pharmacists will be able to demonstrate they have the equivalent knowledge and experience as someone who has completed the PCPEP, and will therefore be granted exemption from either all or part of the pathway. The equivalence and exemption process allows pharmacists to demonstrate to the CPPE equivalence and exemption panel that they have equivalent knowledge, skills and experience to someone who has completed the PCPEP (and have completed an independent prescribing course).
Pharmacists who have already completed one of the CPPE extended primary care pathways (the PCPEP, GPPTP, CPGPE, or the MOCH training pathway) and an independent prescribing course meet the criteria for the PCN ARRS funding. They do not need to apply for equivalence and exemption because their statement of assessment and progression on their CPPE learning record is evidence of completion.
*Please note: The only circumstance in which pharmacy technicians in PCN ARRS roles are exempt from PCPEP is when they have previously completed the MOCH training pathway. Their certificate of completion of the MOCH pathway (the statement of assessment and progression) is evidence that they meet the criteria for the PCN ARRS funding.
Pharmacists who believe they have equivalent knowledge, skills and experience to those who have completed the PCPEP can apply for whole pathway equivalence and exemption.
Also, pharmacists who have completed an MSc in Advanced practice that has been accredited by NHS England can also apply for equivalence and exemption from the whole pathway. To check whether your MSc in Advanced practice is accredited, please see the list of accredited courses.
Please refer to the PCPEP whole pathway equivalence and exemption guidance.
Guidance on applying for whole pathway equivalence and exemption
Alternatively, if a pharmacist doesn’t have the equivalent knowledge and experience as someone who has completed the entire PCPEP, they may have enough relevant training and experience to apply for exemption from specific modules. Pharmacy technicians may also be eligible for module exemption.
Module exemption is available for Module 3: Clinical assessment skills, and/or Module 4: Leadership and management. Please refer to the Module 3 and Module 4 equivalence and exemption guidance.
Please note, Pharmacy professionals cannot apply for exemption from Modules 1, 2 or 5 and cannot apply for exemption from specific study days.
Guidance on applying for module 3 exemption (Clinical assessment skills)
Guidance on applying for module 4 exemption (Leadership and management)
Accessibility statement CPPE aims to ensure that all our programmes and services are accessible to all our customers. We have developed a short document explaining how we consider accessibility for our customers when developing our learning materials.
Our intention is that all our materials and processes meet the widest possible range of learning needs without anyone needing to request additional adjustments.
