About the PTCB Exam
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCB or PTCE) gives people who want to build careers in the healthcare field of pharmacy tech the chance to obtain the credentials necessary to do so. It assesses your knowledge to ensure you’re qualified to work alongside pharmacists and other healthcare providers.
To be able to obtain your PTCB certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) certification, you have to:
- Have earned a passing score on the PTCE
- Live in the United States or its territories
- Have completed a PTCB-recognized education or training program
- Provide full disclosure of licensure actions or criminal history
If you’re getting ready to take the test, it’s important to know all about PTCB test prep so you can tackle the exam with confidence. Learn more about the PTCE and how you can help yourself prepare to pass it.
Are You Eligible to Take the PTCB Exam?
One of the first things you need to check is that you’re eligible to take the exam. To be able to take the PTCE, you have to have either completed a PTCB-recognized education or training program or have had equivalent work experience as a pharmacy tech. The minimum to qualify is 500 hours of experience.
What Is the PTCB Exam Format?
The PTCB exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, 10 of which are unscored. These unscored questions aren’t identified in the test, however, and they’re randomly distributed throughout it.
What Are the Types of Questions on the PTCB Exam?
The questions are divided into four knowledge categories:
- Medication safety
- Patient safety and quality assurance
- Order entry and processing
- Federal requirements
You will be asked questions about controlled substances, compounding, pharmacy law, classifications, conversions, and a variety of other subjects related to each of the four knowledge domains. For each question, you will be given four answers to choose from.
Is There a Time Limit?
You have two hours to complete the PTCE exam. You also have ten minutes for PTCE exam preparation and another 10 minutes for a post-exam survey. One of the many reasons why PTCB exam preparation is so crucial is that it allows you to become comfortable with the format so that you don’t need to waste time learning the exam’s technicalities.
Is the Exam Online or in Person?
The pharmacy technician exam is an online test that’s administered nationwide. You can’t take it from your home. When you register for it, you will be given a choice of available Pearson VUE test centers and can select the one that’s most convenient for you.
How Is the PTCB Exam Scored?
Only 80 questions are scored in each test. A passing score is 1400 or higher. Scores range from 1000 to 1600. In each exam, the 80 questions are broken down as follows:
- 32 cover medications
- 21 cover patient safety
- 17 cover order entry and processing
- 10 cover federal requirements
The scoring is based on a modified Angoff method, in which a panel of experts assesses each question to determine the percentage of already certified pharmacy technicians who would answer it correctly. Scores are scaled to address changes in difficulty each year.
How Can You Register for the PTCB Exam?
Before registering for the exam, you need to have your application approved. To complete this step, you need to sign up for a PTCB account via the official website and provide proof that you meet the requirements.
You will then need to submit the application and pay the fee. Once your application has been approved, you can select from the available test centers and choose a date that works for you.
Can You Retake the Exam?
You can retake the exam. You will have to wait 60 days from the previous exam date for the first two retakes. After that, you will have to wait six months in between attempts. If you fail the test four times, you won’t be able to retake it unless you provide evidence of test prep activities.
How to Prepare for the PTCB Exam
Some strategies can make a difference when preparing for the exam. One of the most important is to focus on the top 200 drugs. Yes, there may be more obscure medications on the test, but knowing the top 200 can help you tackle even these more difficult questions with confidence.
Because there are so many terms you’ll need to know, flashcards work very well during PTCB test prep. They can help you get a solid grasp of the vocabulary you may encounter during the exam.
Practice tests are essential as well. Many PTCB test prep courses online offer a substantial number of practice tests that can give you a sense of where your weaknesses are and what you should focus on when studying. Take as many practice tests as you can, and make sure that the online courses you take provide detailed answer explanations.
You also need to ensure that you have quality study guides. Guides approved by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board can offer the most up-to-date information.
Free PTCB Test Preparation Options
PTCB test prep doesn’t have to cost you any money. Many online study guides are available for free. You can also choose to participate in freeCE’s Pharmacy Technician Bootcamp, which covers all test subjects and offers instructional videos, practice tests, and even interactive materials.
Self-paced courses are available, too. These allow you to study and work through the material at your own speed.
Choose Affordable Continuing Education
If you’re getting ready to take the PTCB test, RxCe can help. We offer a wide selection of courses that can assist you in tackling any gaps in knowledge that you’ve noticed while doing PTCB test prep.
With affordable prices and qualified professionals curating the information to ensure you’re prepared for your exam, RxCe can make the PTCB certification process a bit easier. Learn more about the options available for PTCB exam preparation.
