The below information is for permanent provisions; for applications via the transitional provisions, please refer to the Guidance Notes. In addition, the MHRA has issued information for Transitional IMP QPs (named as a QP in a valid application for a manufacturing authorisation for IMPs made prior to 1st May 2006 under the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations 2004). Further details are available on the MHRA website.
The Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) administer the application process on behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). Members should apply through their own professional body. This is a brief description of the application process; you will find more details in the application documents. If you have further questions, you should contact the QP Officer at the RSB,
RPS or
RSC.
Updated Study Guide
The updated version of the QP Study Guide and Guidance notes are now available, and as of 2 May 2022, all applications received are expected to be prepared against this new Study Guide.
As of April 2025, there has been a minor update to the Study Guide and Guidance Notes due to RSB's rebranding, however, this has not affected the contents of either document.
Further information regarding these updates, and what candidates need to do, can be found in the QP Newsletter and the FAQs.
Registration process
The JPB have been operating a registration process since October 2021. It is now mandatory that all candidates register with their professional body before they intend to fully apply. Even if you have previously started compiling your QP application prior to these updates, you are now required to submit a registration form and request the new application and sponsor forms.
To register, please complete the Registration Form (found below) and submit it to
qp@rsb.org.uk.
Further information regarding the Registration process can be found in the QP Newsletter and the FAQs.
1. Preparing to apply
You should first refer to the five application documents. The FAQs have been updated with guidance on Brexit and Covid-19:
QP Registration Form
QP Study Guide 2025
QP Guidance Notes
QP Code of Practice 2025
FAQs
Before you send your application, you need to ensure that you meet the requirements for qualifications and experience. The Guidance Notes set out the requirements for members of the three professional bodies. You will also need a sponsor, who will act as a mentor and ensure that you are ready for assessment, and who will provide a sponsor's report and verify the information you give on your application form.
2. Sending your application
You should send your completed form with your sponsor's report, and any certificates relating to QP educational courses to your QP Officer. There is a checklist at the end of the application form.
Once your application is submitted, your QP officer will be in touch to arrange payment of the fee. Fee details are at the bottom of this section.
3. Initial assessment
Your QP Officer will ensure that your application is complete and that you satisfy the requirements for qualifications and membership. Your application will then be sent to two assessors from the QP panel of assessors for your own professional body.
The members of each panel of assessors are experienced practising QPs, who attend appropriate training and CPD meetings throughout the year.
The assessors will review your application to ensure that your experience meets the requirements, and that you have covered all areas of the Study Guide. Occasionally the assessors will ask you (via the QP Officer) for further information, which is usually just for clarification or more detail.
4. Invitation to interview
When the assessors are satisfied, your QP Officer will contact you to agree an interview date. We aim to offer you a date within 6 months of receiving your application, although the average time for a straightforward application is three to four months (and sometimes less). If we receive a large number of applications, we will arrange extra interview dates.
If the assessors consider that you should not be invited for interview, your QP Officer will contact you and advise you how to proceed.
5. The interview
Your interview will be hosted by one of the three professional bodies. We have a joint programme of interviews and will offer you the first available date.
An interview panel is normally three assessors, one from each professional body, and the interview will be chaired by the assessor from you own professional body. Your QP Officer will attend and will note the questions. There may also be an observer (usually an assessor in training, but the MHRA and VMD have also observed interviews), who will take no part in the interview.
The assessors will ask questions in turn, which will include fact-based and scenario questions. When the interview is finished, your QP Officer will escort you from the room. After a discussion you will be asked to return and the assessors will tell you their decision.
6. The result
If you have satisfied the assessors, you are eligible for nomination to the Register of Eligible QPs of your professional body. Your QP Officer will write to you to confirm this and your QP certificate will follow (usually in three months as it is signed by all three professional bodies).
If you have not satisfied the assessors, they will tell you why and will advise you on how to proceed. This will be confirmed in a letter from the QP officer. You can make another application when you and your sponsor feel that you have addressed the concerns of the assessors at your interview.
Register fees
Application fee: £800
Annual retention fee: £25
Training course providers
Some educational establishments and commercial providers run courses aiming to equip prospective candidates with the body of knowledge set out in the Study Guide. It is not compulsory to take any course, and the Joint Professional Bodies do not accredit or endorse training courses. It is for you and your sponsor to decide on how to prepare for assessment, which may or may not include attendance at formal training courses.
This list of course providers is for information only.
Dr M Edwards
Director Postgraduate Formulation and Pharmaceutical Sciences
School of Science, University of Greenwich at Medway, Grenville, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB
Tel: + 44 (0) 208 331 8886
Fax: + 44 (0) 1634 883044
University of Greenwich
Mrs C A Bettany
Qualified Person Coordinator
NSF Health Sciences, The Georgian House, 22/24 West End, Kirkbymoorside, York YO62 6AF
Tel: +44 (0) 1751 432999
RSSL QP Training Advisor
RSSL Training & Consultancy
Reading Science Centre, Whiteknights Campus, Pepper Lane, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6LA
Mr D Parry
Inspired Pharma Training Ltd
1210 Parkview, Arlington Business Park, Theal, Reading RG7 4TY
Tel: + 44 (0) 1635 866699
Fax: + 44 (0) 1635 818589
QP Quandry
QPQuandary Ltd
110B Marion Crescent
Maidstone
ME15 7DU
Tel: 01622 477781
