PTCB

Thepharmacytechniciancertificationexam(Ptce)

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is developed and administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), a nonprofit organization founded to advance medication safety by certifying qualified pharmacy technicians. Candidates who pass earn the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential, which demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and patients the knowledge needed to support safe and effective pharmacy operations. Many state boards of pharmacy require or recognize national certification for technician registration, and the credential supports career advancement into specialty and advanced roles.

Exam Pattern and Structure

The PTCE is a computer-based exam of 90 multiple-choice questions: 80 scored questions and 10 unscored questions that PTCB is evaluating for future exams. Unscored questions are mixed in with scored questions and look the same, so treat every question as if it counts. Each question has four answer options and a single best answer, and questions test both knowledge and its practical application, including calculations.

The appointment lasts about 2 hours: a 5-minute tutorial, 1 hour and 50 minutes for the exam itself, and a 5-minute post- exam survey. The exam is delivered at Pearson VUE test centers across the country.

The Four Knowledge Domains

The current PTCE content outline organizes the exam into four knowledge domains. Medications remains the largest domain, and federal requirements now carry a larger share than in earlier versions of the exam.

Medications

35%

Reviewed in Section 1

Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

23.75%

Reviewed in Section 3

Order Entry and Processing

22.5%

Reviewed in Section 4

Federal Requirements

18.75%

Reviewed in Section 2

Domain	Weight	KnowledgeAreas
Medications	35%	Genericandbrandnamesandclassifications;therapeuticduplications;drug
		interactionsandcontraindications;strengths dosageforms routes administration , , , ,
		andduration;sideeffects adverseeffects andallergies;indications;drugstability; , ,
		storage
FederalRequirements	1875% .	Handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and waste;
		controlledsubstanceprescriptionsandDEAschedules;controlledsubstance
		ordering storage records returns take-back loss and destruction; restricted drug , , , , , ,
		programs(pseudoephedrine REMS);FDArecalls;theDrugSupplyChainSecurityAct ,
PatientSafetyandQuality	2375% .	High -alert and look -alike/sound -alike medications; error prevention strategies; issues
Assurance		requiringpharmacistintervention;eventreporting;typesofprescriptionerrors;
		infectionpreventionandcleaningstandards
OrderEntryandProcessing	225% .	Calculations Sigcodes abbreviations Romannumerals andmedicalterminology; , , , ,
		equipmentandsuppliesfordrugadministration;lotnumbers expirationdates and , ,
		NDCnumbers;proceduresforreturningmedications

Scoring and Passing Criteria

The PTCE uses a scaled score from 1,000 to 1,600, and the passing score is 1,400. Scaling adjusts for small differences in difficulty between exam forms, so every candidate is held to the same standard. Only the 80 scored questions count, and there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question. With 110 minutes for 90 questions, the pace is a little over 1 minute and 10 seconds per question. Official score reports are generally available online within a few weeks of the exam.

Exam at a Glance

ExamAspect	Details
Administeredby	PharmacyTechnicianCertificationBoard(PTCB);deliveredatPearsonVUEtestcenters
Questions	90 multiple-choice questions: 80 scored and 10 unscored
Time	1 hour 50 minutes of testing within a 2 -hour appointment
Scoring	Scaled score of 1 ,000–1 ,600; 1 ,400 to pass
Eligibility	Completion of a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program (or equivalent pharmacy degree) or ,
	atleast500hoursofequivalentworkexperienceasapharmacytechnician
Fee	$129fortheapplicationandexam
Recertification	Every2years with20hoursofcontinuingeducationincluding1hourofpharmacylawand1hourof ,
	patientsafety