About the Exam

The ABPI Professional Examination has been in existence since 1969, and has evolved considerably over intervening years. The qualification has been formally accredited in the UK education system since January 2014.  The current qualification titles were adopted in January 2024.  The current qualification curriculum remains exactly the same as the Level 3 Diploma and Level 3 Certificate delivered previously.  The qualifications are accredited by SFJ Awards (formerly Industry Qualifications 2014-2020). 

The qualifications examine the skills and knowledge required to promote medicines. They cover different areas divided into units with credit values. In order to pass the Intermediate Professional Programme, you must achieve 31​ credits (made up of four mandatory ​units), and to pass the Advanced Professional Programme, at least 46 credits (made up of the mandatory units plus two or three disease area units). For traditional medical representatives, the Advanced Professional Programme for Industry Personnel is the appropriate examination, whereas for generic sales representatives the Intermediate Professional Programme for Industry Personnel is the most appropriate qualification.

The current ABPI Code of Practice requires representatives be examined on all units within one year of beginning employment in the promotion of medicines to prescribers and non-prescribers, and must achieve the qualification within two years of starting such employment. This time limit does not apply to candidates who are not representatives as defined by the current ABPI Code of Practice. See below to decide which Programme is right for you.

Medical Representatives:

Medical Representatives must sit and pass four mandatory units and two or three optional disease area units to combine to a total of at least 46 credits in order to obtain the Certificate of Achievement in the Advanced Programme. Credits are comprised as follows: 31 credits from the mandatory units and 15 credits from the optional units.

Once you have registered on this portal, you can find out more information about the units which comprise this qualification and the number of credits that can be gained from each optional unit. When you have chosen the right Programme for you, visit the 'Online Store' and purchase the relevant Programme - by purchasing a Programme, you are also purchasing the learning manuals which contain all the material you need to study before sitting examinations online in the required units.

Generic Sales Representatives:

Generic Sales Representatives must sit four mandatory units to combine to a total of 31 credits in order to achieve the Certificate of Achievement in Intermediate Programme. 

Once you have registered on this portal, you can find out more information about the units which comprise this qualification. When you have chosen the right Programme for you, visit the 'Online Store' and purchase the relevant Programme - by purchasing a Programme, you are also purchasing the learning manuals which contain all the material you need to study before sitting examinations online in the required units.