PTCE
Offered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is the exam for PTCB's Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. It is 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 unscored) with 1 hour 50 minutes of testing time, plus a short tutorial and survey.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Format
90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 unscored pretest)
Testing time
50
minutes
Sections
4
Passing score
1,400
Cost
$129 USD application and exam fee
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What the exam covers
Medications
Federal requirements
Patient safety and quality assurance
Order entry and processing
About the PTCE certification
The passing scaled score is 1,400 on a 1,000–1,600 scale. PTCB currently delivers the PTCE in person at Pearson VUE (online proctoring for PTCE has been suspended — confirm before you apply). An updated outline applies for applications on or after January 6, 2026; study the current content outline, not an old compounding-heavy list.
Who it’s for
Pharmacy technician students and technicians who completed a PTCB-recognized program or equivalent work experience.
- Testing time
- 1 hour 50 minutes of testing (plan about 2 hours including tutorial and survey)
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test centers (PTCE is not currently offered via online proctoring)
- Passing score
- 1,400 on a 1,000–1,600 scaled scale
- Validity
- 2-year CPhT recertification cycle with PTCB continuing education
- Prerequisites
- PTCB-recognized education/training or equivalent work experience, plus PTCB's disclosure and policy requirements
Official exam page· Details verified September 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Download the PTCE outline that matches your application date (the January 6, 2026 update changed some historical topics).
02
Drill drug names, strengths, and federal controlled-substance rules daily — medications and law are the usual fail points.
03
Practice order-entry math with the on-screen calculator only.
04
Take 90-item timed tests targeting 1,400 scaled, not a raw percentage.
05
Apply when you can sit inside the authorization window; the exam is in-person only.
FAQ
Is PTCE the same as ExCPT?
No. PTCE is PTCB. ExCPT is NHA's pharmacy technician exam. Many employers and states accept CPhT from either path — confirm with your board of pharmacy.
Can I take the PTCB exam at home?
Not the PTCE. PTCB has suspended online-proctored PTCE delivery; you schedule at a Pearson VUE center. Other PTCB credential exams may still offer OnVUE.
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