What does the PTCE test?
The content outline that took effect on January 6, 2026 has four domains and 24 knowledge areas:
- Medications35%about 28 scored
- Federal Requirements18.75%about 15 scored
- Patient Safety23.75%about 19 scored
- Order Entry22.5%about 18 scored
| Domain | Share of the exam | About this many scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| Medications | 35% | 28 |
| Federal Requirements | 18.75% | 15 |
| Patient Safety and Quality Assurance | 23.75% | 19 |
| Order Entry and Processing | 22.5% | 18 |
The question counts are our arithmetic (share × 80 scored questions); PTCB does not publish counts per domain. Questions are mixed, not grouped by domain.
Source: PTCB, PTCE Content Outline (2026). Last verified October 13, 2026.
What changed in 2026?
- Nonsterile compounding, alligations and narrow therapeutic index drugs are no longer separate tested areas.
- A new knowledge area covers the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA): serialization, tracing and quarantine.
- Federal Requirements grew from 12.5% to 18.75% of the exam; Medications fell from 40% to 35%.
- The exam tests federal law, not state law.
Source: PTCB, PTCE Job Analysis Study. Last verified October 13, 2026.
How is the PTCE scored, and can you retake it?
- Only the 80 scored questions count. PTCB converts your result to a scaled score; it does not publish the raw-to-scaled conversion.
- A calculator is built into the exam; personal calculators are not allowed.
- You see an unofficial pass/fail result at the test center; the official score report follows in the PTCB account.
- Retakes: attempts 2 and 3 have no waiting period beyond the official score report, attempt 4 needs a 6-month wait, and later attempts need a documented preparation activity first.
Sources: PTCB CPhT page, scaled scores, retake policy. Last verified October 13, 2026.
How much does the PTCB exam cost?
It costs $129 to apply for CPhT certification and take the PTCE.
Source: PTCB, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Last verified October 15, 2026.
Who can take the PTCB exam?
You qualify in one of two ways.
You finished a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program (or will finish within 60 days of applying). Or you have at least 500 hours of work experience as a pharmacy technician, completed by the time you apply.
Source: PTCB, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). Last verified October 15, 2026.
How long does PTCB certification last?
Two years.
To renew your CPhT, you complete 20 hours of continuing education in each two-year cycle, including at least one hour of pharmacy law and one hour of patient safety.
Sources: PTCB, CPhT, PTCB Help Center, How do I recertify? Last verified October 15, 2026.
How should I prepare?
Start with the free PTCB diagnostic to see which domains cost you points, then build a day-by-day study plan to your exam date.
Learn each weak area with our PTCB lessons. Check your progress with the free full-length PTCB practice test. Want the key facts on paper? Get the free PTCB cheat sheet. The full question bank is included in every plan.
Our questions are original practice items written to the public content outline; they are not real PTCE questions. PTCB does not publish a drug list, so the drugs we use are our own choice of commonly dispensed medications. PTCB sells its own official practice tools on ptcb.org.
PTCB guides
- How do you become a pharmacy technician?
How to become a pharmacy technician: finish high school, train in a program or on the job, register with your state and pass the PTCB or ExCPT exam.
- How much does a pharmacy technician make?
Pharmacy technician salary: BLS puts median pay at $45,750 a year, or $22.00 an hour, in May 2025. See pay by state and setting, ranges and job outlook.
- PTCB vs ExCPT: which pharmacy technician exam should you take?
PTCB vs ExCPT: the PTCE has 90 questions, costs $129 and needs 1,400 to pass; the ExCPT has 120 questions and needs 390. Compare eligibility and renewal.
Sources
- PTCB, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
- PTCB, PTCE Content Outline, effective January 2026 (PDF)
- PTCB, PTCE Job Analysis Study
- PTCB Help Center, At a Glance: CPhT Exam
- PTCB Help Center, Scaled Scores and Equating
- PTCB Help Center, Retake Policy
- PTCB Help Center, Calculators
HealthcareExams is an independent study resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute), Elsevier/HESI, NCSBN or the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). TEAS and ATI TEAS are registered trademarks of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. HESI is a registered trademark of Elsevier Inc. NCLEX and NCLEX-RN are trademarks of NCSBN. PTCB, PTCE and CPhT are trademarks of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.