ClassMetric

PTCB certification

The CPhT is PTCB’s national certification for pharmacy technicians. Many employers require it, and some states do too.

Pharmacy Tech Exam PrepSig codes and days supply The sigThe sig is a prescription's directions. Look for how much, which way, and how often. Their order can vary.Count itOne tablet, by mouth, twice a day, for thirty days. Two times thirty is sixty tablets.
90questions in 1 h 50 min
$129to apply and test
69%pass rate, 2025
$45,750median pay, May 2025

How to get it, step by step

  1. Check that you qualify

    You must live in the US or its territories and disclose any criminal or state board actions. Most states also regulate pharmacy technicians, so check your state board of pharmacy.1,7

  2. Choose your pathway

    Pathway 1 is a PTCB-recognized education or training program; you can apply up to 60 days before you finish. Pathway 2 is at least 500 hours of pharmacy tech work, done before you apply.1

  3. Apply and pay $129

    Create a PTCB account and apply. Once you’re approved, an email authorizes you to schedule the exam.1

  4. Pass the PTCE

    Take it at a Pearson test center: 90 questions in 1 hour 50 minutes, on the outline in effect since January 6, 2026. Our practice class helps you get ready.1,2

  5. Register with your state if required

    Your state board of pharmacy sets what you may do on the job. Where your state regulates techs, meet its rules too, which can include an exam, fees or a background check.1,7

  6. Renew every two years

    Earn 20 hours of continuing education each cycle, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 of patient safety, and pay the $55 renewal fee.4,5

Pharmacy Tech Exam Prep: lesson plan and practice →

The exam, and the money

The exam

Questions
90 multiple choice; 80 scored, 10 unscored1
Time
1 hour 50 minutes; plan on 2 hours with the tutorial and survey1
Content
4 domains; medications is the largest at 35%. Outline effective January 6, 20262
Passing score
1,400 on a scale of 1,000 to 1,6001
Where
In person at a Pearson test center, with a live proctor1
Fee
$129, paid for each attempt1,3
Retakes
Unlimited; no wait for a second or third try, 6 months before a fourth3

The money

To certify
$129 to apply and take the PTCE, paid for each attempt1,3
Renewal
$55 every two years, plus 20 hours of continuing education4,5
Typical pay
$45,750 a year, the median for pharmacy technicians (BLS, May 2025)7

Study for the exam

33 lessons in 4 chapters · about 5 minutes each

  1. 1Pharmacy math and order entry10

    Order Entry and Processing

    1. Pharmacy sig codes and days supply Lesson 1 · free
    2. Insulin and units
    3. Pharmacy math: ratio and proportion
    4. Conversions: mL, tsp, kg, lb
    5. Dilutions and percent strength
    6. mg/kg dosing for kids
    7. Roman numerals and pharmacy abbreviations
    8. NDC, lot and expiration dates
    9. Syringes, spacers and diabetic supplies
    10. Returns: credit, stock, reverse distribution
    22.50%
  2. 2Medications8
    1. Top 200 drugs: brand to generic
    2. Drug stems: -olol, -pril, -statin
    3. What each drug class treats
    4. Interactions and contraindications that matter
    5. Therapeutic duplication, caught in time
    6. Doses, dosage forms and routes
    7. Side effects, adverse effects, allergies
    8. Stability, storage and the fridge
    35%
  3. 3Federal law7

    Federal Requirements

    1. DEA schedules, C-I to C-V
    2. Controlled refills and transfers
    3. Ordering C-IIs and counting inventory
    4. Loss, theft, take-back and destruction
    5. Pseudoephedrine limits and REMS
    6. Hazardous waste and the P-list
    7. Recalls and DSCSA tracing
    18.75%
  4. 4Patient safety8

    Patient Safety and Quality Assurance

    1. Look-alike, sound-alike and Tall Man
    2. High-alert drugs: extra checks
    3. Error-prone abbreviations and trailing zeros
    4. When to get the pharmacist
    5. Types of prescription errors
    6. Reporting errors: MedWatch, VAERS
    7. Clean trays, clean hands
    8. Test day: PTCE at Pearson VUE
    23.75%

Built on PTCE Content Outline · 2026

Dosage calculation practice

The full class, $39 at launch.

Paid once, when it opens. Lesson 1 is free now.

  • Top 200 drugs, spaced
  • Endless calculations
  • Full mock exams

Not affiliated with PTCB or NHA.

Questions

Can you take the PTCB exam without going to school?

Yes, through Pathway 2: at least 500 hours of work as a pharmacy technician, finished before you apply. A pharmacy degree can also stand in for a recognized program.1

Can you take the PTCB exam online?

No. The PTCE is given in person at Pearson test centers, more than 1,400 of them nationwide, with a live proctor.1

Is PTCB certification national or state?

National: PTCB’s CPhT program is nationally accredited. Your state board of pharmacy still sets what techs may do, and most states regulate pharmacy technicians in some way.1,7

How long does it take to get PTCB certified?

Many pharmacy tech programs take a year or less; the work route needs 500 hours. After the exam, official results reach your PTCB account within three weeks.1,7

Is the PTCB exam hard?

In 2025, 69% of candidates passed, per PTCB. If you don’t pass, you can retake it with no wait for a second or third try, then six months before a fourth.3,6

Sources

Read on . Rules change, so check the source before you pay a fee or book a test.

  1. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) · PTCB
  2. Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) Content Outline · PTCB
  3. Retake Policy · PTCB
  4. Renewal Requirements · PTCB
  5. Recertification Policy · PTCB
  6. Credentials by the Numbers · PTCB
  7. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacy Technicians · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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