PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)

PTCB CPhT

Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) — Certified Pharmacy Technician

The national certification exam for pharmacy technicians. Most states require or strongly prefer PTCB certification to register and work as a pharmacy tech in retail and hospital pharmacies.

$1291 hour 50 minutes of testing (2-hour appointment)Required to practice

What's on the exam

PTCE Content Outline v1.4 (effective January 6, 2026)

Medications

35%

Generic and brand names · Therapeutic classes and indications · Side effects and interactions · Dosage forms and routes · Storage, stability, and handling · Therapeutic duplications

Federal Requirements

18.75%

Controlled substance schedules and handling · DEA prescription requirements · Recalls and FDA regulations · Hazardous substance handling and disposal · Restricted drug programs (REMS) · Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) serialization and tracing

Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

23.75%

Medication error prevention · High-alert and look-alike/sound-alike drugs · Issues requiring pharmacist intervention · Event reporting procedures · Hygiene and cleaning standards

Order Entry and Processing

22.5%

Pharmacy calculations · Days' supply and quantity calculations · Sig codes and prescription interpretation · NDC numbers, lot numbers, and expiration dates · Equipment and supplies for drug administration

Frequently asked questions

How much does the PTCB CPhT cost?

The PTCB CPhT costs $129. Plus any state registration/licensure fees.

How long is the PTCB CPhT and how many questions does it have?

90 items (80 scored, 10 unscored) — 1 hour 50 minutes of testing (2-hour appointment).

What do you need to pass the PTCB CPhT?

Scaled score of 1400 (range 1000–1600).

Can you retake the PTCB CPhT?

After 60 days for second/third attempts; 6 months thereafter; up to 4 attempts before special permission.

What is the best way to study for the PTCB CPhT?

Start from the official outline and your primary study materials: the exam is weighted by domain (Medications 35%, Federal Requirements 18.75%, Patient Safety and Quality Assurance 23.75%, Order Entry and Processing 22.5%). Once you've learned the material, spaced-repetition flashcards organized by those domains are an efficient way to retain it and refresh it before test day.

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