Nursing & Healthcare Practice Questions

PTCB Practice Questions

PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)Free PTCB practice test questions covering medications, federal requirements, patient safety, order entry, and pharmacy calculations. Every question includes a detailed explanation so you learn the reasoning, not just the answer.

90
Total Questions
2 hours
Time Limit
1,400 (scale 1,000-1,600)
Passing Score
$129
Registration Fee

Free Sample Questions

Here are 5 free sample questions from our full bank of 400+ PTCB practice questions. Try them out below — click "Show Answer" to reveal the correct response and explanation.

1

A patient is prescribed metoprolol tartrate 50 mg twice daily. Which of the following conditions is metoprolol MOST commonly used to treat?

AA) Type 2 diabetes
BB) Hypothyroidism
CC) Hypertension
DD) Peptic ulcer disease
2

Under federal law, how long must a pharmacy retain records for Schedule II controlled substances?

AA) At least 2 years
BB) At least 1 year
CC) At least 5 years
DD) At least 6 months
3

A technician notices that a bottle of warfarin 5 mg tablets has been stored next to a bottle of warfarin 1 mg tablets on the same shelf. What is the BEST action to reduce the risk of a dispensing error?

AA) Leave them as is since both are warfarin
BB) Remove the lower strength from stock entirely
CC) Alert the pharmacist but take no further action
DD) Separate the strengths and apply tall-man lettering or warning labels
4

Which DEA form is used by a pharmacy to order Schedule II controlled substances from a wholesaler?

AA) DEA Form 41
BB) DEA Form 222
CC) DEA Form 106
DD) DEA Form 224
5

A physician orders an IV infusion to deliver 1,500 mL of normal saline over 8 hours. What is the infusion rate in mL/hour?

AA) 187.5 mL/hr
BB) 200 mL/hr
CC) 150 mL/hr
DD) 175 mL/hr

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About the PTCB

Format & Structure

Total Questions
90
Time Limit
2 hours
Format
Computer-based

Scoring & Cost

Passing Score
1,400 (scale 1,000-1,600)
Registration Fee
$129

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PTCB and the PTCE?

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is the organization that administers the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, better known as the PTCE. Passing the PTCE earns you the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential, which is recognized in all 50 states and required by many employers and several state boards of pharmacy.

What's the format of the PTCE?

The PTCE is a computer-based, 2-hour exam with 90 multiple-choice questions. Only 80 of those are scored -- the other 10 are unscored pretest questions mixed in at random. Content is split across four knowledge domains: Medications (about 40%), Federal Requirements (about 12.5%), Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (about 26.25%), and Order Entry and Processing (about 21.25%).

What score do I need to pass the PTCE?

You need a scaled score of 1,400 to pass. Scores are reported on a scale from 1,000 to 1,600, and the scaling accounts for slight differences in difficulty between exam versions. You won't get a percentage-correct breakdown, but your score report will show how you performed in each knowledge domain, which helps if you need to retake it.

How much does the PTCE cost?

The PTCE costs $129 to register as of 2026. You'll schedule your appointment through PTCB's online portal and sit the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. If you need to reschedule, do it at least 24 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting the fee.

How long should I study for the PTCB?

Most candidates study between 4 and 8 weeks, putting in roughly 1-2 hours a day. If you already work in a pharmacy, you may need less -- the daily workflow already reinforces a lot of the content. New learners usually benefit from a structured review that walks through the top 200 drugs, pharmacy math, and federal law. Practice questions are the best way to find your weak spots before the real thing.

What are the prerequisites to take the PTCE?

As of 2020, PTCB requires candidates to complete a PTCB-recognized education program OR have equivalent work experience (at least 500 hours). You also need a high school diploma or GED, disclosure of any criminal or state board actions, and compliance with PTCB's certification policies. Check the current requirements on PTCB's website before you apply, since the pathways have been updated more than once.

What happens if I fail the PTCE?

You can retake the PTCE, but there's a waiting period. You must wait 60 days before the second and third attempts, and 6 months before a fourth or later attempt. Each retake requires a new application and the full registration fee. Use the domain breakdown on your score report to focus your study time on the areas where you struggled most.

How do I maintain my CPhT certification?

Once you're certified, you'll need to recertify every 2 years by completing 20 hours of continuing education, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 hour of patient safety. At least half of those CE hours must come from pharmacy-technician-specific programs. PTCB tracks your CE through their online portal, so it's easy to upload certificates as you complete them.

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