Professional registers
Pharmacy and dental registers compared: UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia
Short answer
- GPhC pharmacists
- 69,342 at 31 October 2026 1
- GPhC pharmacy technicians
- 28,964 at 31 October 2026 1
- GPhC pharmacies
- 13,320 at 31 October 2026 1
- GPhC renewal
- Annual 1
- GDC registrant types
- Dentists and six dental care professional titles 2
- Ontario register
- Part A provides patient care, Part B does not 5
Registers at a glance
| Regulator | Who is on it | Note |
|---|---|---|
| General Pharmaceutical Council (Great Britain) 1 | Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacies and training premises 1 | All renew annually 1 |
| General Dental Council (UK) 2 | Dentists and dental care professionals 2 | Specialist lists for dentists 2 |
| Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland 4 | Pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmaceutical assistants and internet suppliers 4 | Registration needed to practise or operate 4 |
| Ontario College of Pharmacists 5 | Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians 5 | Two-part register 5 |
| Ahpra (Australia) 6 | Pharmacy and dental practice among listed professions 6 | Conditions shown on the register 6 |
Great Britain: GPhC
The General Pharmaceutical Council says all pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy premises licensed to practise in Britain must renew their registration annually, and anyone can check their details and status online 1. At 31 October 2026 its registers held 69,342 pharmacists, 28,964 pharmacy technicians and 13,320 pharmacies 1.
The GPhC keeps a register of superintendent pharmacists acting for more than one organisation, publishes a list of registered pharmacies every three months, and links to an MHRA service for checking websites that sell medicines 1. The pharmacy list on the page was correct as of 30 September 2026 1.
United Kingdom: GDC
The General Dental Council registers dental professionals, sets standards and investigates fitness to practise complaints 3. Its glossary says a dentist is registered with the GDC to work in the UK, and that the term dental care professional covers six titles 2.
Temporary and specialist entries
The GDC offers temporary registration to dentists who hold a recognised overseas diploma, for purposes such as research 2. It keeps specialist lists in areas that include oral surgery, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics, restorative dentistry and special care dentistry 2.
The GDC site has a page on illegal practice and asks the public to report anyone who is not a dental professional practising dentistry 3.
Ireland and Ontario
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland says pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants must be registered with it to practise in Ireland, and pharmacies and internet list suppliers must be registered to open and operate 4. Its search covers the pharmacy, pharmacist and pharmaceutical assistant registers and the internet supply list 4.
The Ontario College of Pharmacists keeps a two-part register. Part A is for registrants who provide patient care and Part B for those who do not 5. Part A registrants must make a self-declaration of competency at each annual renewal and have a designated practice assessment site in Ontario 5. A Part A registrant may move to Part B at any time, but a Part B pharmacist must notify the College and complete two requirements, including a knowledge assessment, to move back 5.
Australia
Ahpra keeps the national list of registered practitioners, and pharmacy and dental practice are among its listed professions 6. A name on the list means the person may practise, and conditions that limit practice are published 6. Separate lists show practitioners who agreed not to practise and those cancelled or prohibited 6.
Common questions
How many pharmacists are registered in Great Britain?
69,342 at 31 October 2026, according to the GPhC 1.
Does a pharmacy itself need to be registered?
Yes in Great Britain, where pharmacy premises renew annually with the GPhC 1, and in Ireland, where pharmacies must be registered with the PSI 4.
Is a dental nurse on the GDC register?
Yes. Dental nurse is one of the six dental care professional titles 2.
What does Part B mean on the Ontario pharmacy register?
The registrant does not provide patient care 5.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@thecredentialregistry.com.
Sources
- General Pharmaceutical Council: Registers (last updated 3 November 2026)
- General Dental Council: Types of registrants
- General Dental Council: Home page
- Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland: Home
- Ontario College of Pharmacists: Part A and Part B Register
- Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency: Register of practitioners
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