PTCE FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about the PTCE.
What is the PTCE?
The PTCE, or Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam, assesses a candidate's knowledge of pharmacy practice. It is administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and is one of two exams that satisfy the requirements for becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) in the United States (the other being the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)). It asks 90 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, 80 of which are scored, and PTCB sets the passing score at 1,400 on a scale of 1,000 to 1,600.
What can you do with a Pharmacy Technician Certification?
With a Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT), individuals can work in various healthcare settings, such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, and long-term care facilities, assisting pharmacists in dispensing medications, managing inventory, and providing customer service. Additionally, certification may lead to higher job prospects, increased earning potential, and opportunities for career advancement within the pharmacy profession.
How do I get a PTCB Certification?
To obtain a Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification, which requires passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), there are several steps and requirements you must fulfill:
1. You must reside in the United States or its territories, as the certification is specific to this region.
2. You must satisfy one of PTCB's two eligibility pathways. Either complete a PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program — or be within 60 days of completing one when you apply — or complete at least 500 hours of equivalent work experience as a pharmacy technician, finished by the time you apply. A pharmacy degree is accepted in place of a recognized training program.
3. You must fully disclose any criminal history and any actions taken by State Boards of Pharmacy regarding your registration or licensure. Failure to report criminal history can result in your certification being taken away.
4. In addition to these steps, you must also comply with all PTCB Certification policies.
5. Finally, you must achieve a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE).
By meeting these criteria and successfully passing the PTCE, you will earn your PTCB Certification.
What is the difference between the PTCE and ExCPT?
Both exams lead to the same Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential and are accepted nationally, but they are set by two distinct organizations and test to different blueprints: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers the PTCE, and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers the ExCPT. The PTCE scores 80 of the 90 questions you see, spread across four knowledge domains; the ExCPT scores 100 of its 120, across five. The ExCPT's outline also covers ground the PTCE's does not, including compounding, unit dose, and repackaging. Fees and eligibility requirements differ too, and PTCB offers add-on pharmacy technician credentials such as immunization administration, sterile compounding, and an advanced CPhT. Neither certifying body limits its credential to a particular practice setting, so check what your state board of pharmacy and your employer require before you choose. See our blog post for a full breakdown.
How often is the PTCE offered?
The PTCE is typically offered year-round, and candidates can schedule their exam at a time and location that is convenient for them, based on test center availability.
How many times can I retake the PTCE?
You can keep retaking the PTCE until you pass, but the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board controls the pace and you must apply and pay the $129 fee again for each attempt. There is no wait before a second or third attempt, though you do have to wait for your official score report before reapplying; a fourth attempt requires a six-month wait. After four attempts, PTCB has to review and approve evidence that you have prepared since your last attempt — six months or more of tutoring by a pharmacist or PTCB CPhT, a formal review course, an ASHP/ACPE-accredited training program, or a pharmacy technician associate degree — before you can apply again. Review the PTCB's exam retake policies.
What is the PTCE pass rate?
The PTCE pass rate was 69% in 2025, and has held at 69% or 70% every year since 2022. PTCB doesn't publish both the pass rate and the number of candidates who passed for every year, so where it gives one the figure below is derived from the other.
| Year | Exams Administered | Exams Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 42,344 | 29,805 | 70% |
| 2023 | 43,206 | 29,812 | 69% |
| 2024 | 46,725 | 32,543 | 70% |
| 2025 | 49,253 | 33,985 | 69% |
Pass the PTCE. Guaranteed.
Achievable is the best PTCE exam prep course: effective, personalized, and convenient. With Achievable, you'll spend less time studying and pass your exam the first time, or your money back.