Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I find information about membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry? 
   To apply for QP eligibility, you must be EITHER a Chartered Chemist (CChem), OR  a Fellow (FRSC) or Member (MRSC) or Associate Member (AMRSC) who qualified on the basis of a formal course of study lasting not less than three years full-time or equivalent. You can find out how to apply for membership in the Members and Networks section of the RSC website.

2. Who should be my sponsor for my QP application?
   Please refer to the 'Guidance Notes for Applicants and Sponsors'. You need the support of a sponsor, who must be a member of one of the Joint Professional Bodies (Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Royal Society of Chemistry or Society of Biology). Your sponsor should be a practising QP who has known you professionally for the qualifying period of experience. If this is not possible, you may use a QA line manager provided that the sponsor's report is countersigned by the Qualified Person acting for the activities in which you are engaged. You may need more than one sponsor, for example if your experience has been gained in more than one company.
   Your sponsor is vitally important in your training and application for admission to the Register. Our expectation is that the sponsor acts as a mentor and supports you throughout your training, preparation and application.

3. How much detail should I include on the application form for sections 8 and 9 (Foundation knowledge elements and Additional knowledge elements)? 
   You should discuss this with your sponsor.

4. Which products and processes are eligible as my area of expertise? 
   Any, as long as you have appropriate experience under a full manufacturer's authorisation (2001/83/EC, 2001/82/EC or 2001/20/EC).

5. Can I apply for QP eligibility if I only have experience in a bulk manufacture or research and development environment? 
   Under Article 49 of Directive 2001/83/EC, the relevant practical experience has to be gained in a facility that holds a full manufacturer's licence. As most API (bulk drug) and R & D do not usually require a manufacturer's licence, they cannot be used as areas of relevant experience to satisfy the practical experience requirements. Some APIs do require a manufacturer's authorisation, and appropriate experience is acceptable.

6. Can I apply with experience of veterinary products?
   You can apply for QP eligibility under the permanent provisions with appropriate experience under a manufacturer's authorisation for veterinary products (2001/82/EC). The VMD can also appoint QPs independently. 

7. If I have gained broad practical experience across all areas of the Study Guide, what should I choose as my specialist area of expertise? 
   You should discuss this with your sponsor.

8. Will the JPB Assessment Panel be selected for my own area of expertise?
   Assessors are selected for the Panel on the basis of their breadth and depth of knowledge and practical experience across the range of products and processes, and can assess candidates from any area of expertise.

9. Does my PhD count towards the educational requirements of Article 49 of 2001/83/EC? 
   No, a UK PhD is not admissible under Article 49 of 2001/83/EC. Article 49 requires "the possession of a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualifications awarded on completion of a university course of study". As a PhD is a period of research, and not a taught course, it does not qualify towards fulfilment of this statement.

10. Where can I study the theoretical knowledge requirements for Qualified Persons? 
    You may wish to undertake personal study to satisfy the theoretical knowledge requirements of the Study Guide. A number of academic institutions and commercial companies offer courses. It is not compulsory to take a course, and the Joint Professional Bodies do not recommend or endorse particular courses. For information, there is a list of available courses on the RSC website.

11. How long will it take for my QP application to be processed? 
    This depends on a number of factors, including the quality of your initial application. Typically the assessment process takes from two to six months. The application is reviewed by two assessors who decide whether to invite you for an assessment interview. 

12. Can I reserve an assessment slot? 
    You will be invited to attend a formal assessment once the application has been reviewed and approved by the assessors. You cannot reserve an assessment date in advance. Dates are offered on a first-come first-served basis. However, we try to accommodate applicants' preferences where possible.

13. Can I change the date of my interview, once agreed?
    You should contact the Registration Officer as soon as possible. If you cancel at short notice, this can result in inconvenience to other applicants and assessors. If you wish to cancel an assessment date with less than 6 weeks notice, there will be a cancellation fee of £250, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

14. At the QP interview, who will my assessors be?
    We do not inform you which assessors will be present. There may also be an observer at your assessment. This may be a new assessor in training, or occasionally a representative of the MHRA or VMD will observe a day of assessments. The observer is there to see the process, and will take no part in your assessment.

15. What is the pass rate for QP assessments? 
    In 2011, the pass rate under the permanent provisions was 60%.

16. After the interview, can I have a copy of the questions I was asked? 
    We do not publish lists of questions asked at QP assessments. 

17. What feedback will I get if I fail? 
    The assessors will tell you the result after the assessment. They will give you direct feedback, and you can ask for clarification. They will also give you advice on what to do before reapplying. Typically, they will advise you to discuss with your sponsor and draw up a training plan. You will be advised formally of the assessment outcome in a letter from the RSC.

18. I failed my assessment and the assessors recommended that I reapply in (for example) twelve months time. Do I need to send another application form and fee?
    The time recommended by the assessors is for guidance only, and you can reapply when you and your sponsor feel that you are ready. Your reapplication will be assessed as a new application. As you will have gained additional knowledge and practical experience, you need to complete a new application form to reflect this, and you should explain how you have addressed the concerns of the assessors for your previous application. The same fee is payable for each application.

19. Do you assess members from outside the UK? 
    We will assess an application for eligibility to act as a QP whether you are resident in the UK, Europe or rest of the world. However, you must fulfil the requirements of Directives 2001/83/EC, 2001/82/EC or 2001/20/EC with respect to your qualifications and experience. If you are not intending to act as a QP in the UK, and intend to seek nomination as a QP on a Manufacturer's Authorisation issued by another EU Member State, you may wish first to contact the competent authority for that state (refer to the European Medicines Agency). If you have already been named as a QP on a Manufacturer's Authorisation in another Member State and intend to seek nomination as a QP in the UK, you should not apply to the JPB. The holder of the Manufacturer's Authorisation should apply to the competent authority on the UK (MHRA or VMD) to add you to the authorisation.

20. How can I apply under the transitional provisions?
    The requirements for eligibility under the transitional provisions of 2001/83/EC are described in the Guidance Notes. Since the changes in legislation relating to veterinary products in 2005, you can no longer apply under the transitional provisions of 2001/82/EC. You should contact the VMD for advice.

21. I am eligible under the transitional provisions of the Clinical Trials Directive (2001/20/EC) or the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (2004/24/EC amending 2001/83/EC). Can I apply for an entry on the Register? 
    If you have been accepted by the MHRA under the transitional arrangements to act as a QP for investigational medicinal products or traditional herbal medicinal products, and have been named as a QP on an appropriate manufacturer's authorisation, you can apply for a certificate and a Register entry. Certification by the RSC is not essential in these circumstances, but a certificate will give you a permanent record of your QP status. If you have the relevant qualifications and practical experience under these manufacturer's authorisations, you are eligible to apply under Category A. Please refer to the Guidance Notes.    

22. What is the RSC's policy for charging retention fees to remain on the Register?  
    All members listed in the Register pay an annual retention fee of £25 per year. This is requested at the same time as the membership subscriptions. If you do not pay the retention fee, you will not be listed in the Register. 

23. Does the RSC publish information on QP salaries? 
    The RSC produces a remuneration survey that lists information about QP salaries. You can find it in the members' section of the RSC website.

24. How does the RSC CPD scheme work for QPs? 
    We have a CPD scheme for members from when you join and throughout your career. There is a section relating to QPs in the members' section of the RSC website.  

25. How many QPs are registered with the RSC? 
    In January 2012 there were 653 QPs registered. This includes 348 QPs who qualified via the permanent provisions.