ExCPT vs PTCE 2026: The Definitive Comparison
If you want to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), you have two paths: the ExCPT administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or the PTCE administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Both exams lead to the same CPhT credential. Both are accepted in all 50 states. But the exams differ in format, content emphasis, cost, eligibility requirements, and career implications. This guide breaks down every difference so you can make an informed choice.
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Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Administering Organization | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) |
| Total Questions | 120 (100 scored, 20 pretest) | 90 (80 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours 10 minutes | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Passing Score | 390 / 500 (scaled) | 1,400 / 1,600 (scaled) |
| Pass Rate | ~63-64% | ~69-70% |
| Exam Fee | $125 | $129 |
| Testing Centers | PSI Testing Centers | Pearson VUE (+ online proctoring) |
| Online Testing Option | No | Yes (OnVUE remote proctoring) |
| Credential Earned | CPhT | CPhT |
| Accepted In | All 50 states + DC | All 50 states + DC |
| Recertification Cycle | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| CE Required | 20 hours / 2 years | 20 hours / 2 years |
| Renewal Fee | ~$55 | $49 |
| Advanced Certifications | None | Yes (CSPT, CPhT-Adv) |
| Exam Updated | July 9, 2025 | January 6, 2026 |
Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility pathways differ significantly between the two exams.
ExCPT (NHA) Eligibility
You must meet one of these pathways:
Pathway 1: Training Program
- High school diploma or GED
- Completion of an NHA-approved pharmacy technician training program
Pathway 2: Work Experience
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 1,200 hours of supervised pharmacy technician work experience
PTCE (PTCB) Eligibility
You must meet one of these pathways:
Pathway 1: PTCB-Recognized Education/Training Program
- High school diploma or GED
- Completion of a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician program
Pathway 2: Equivalent Work Experience
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 500 hours of supervised pharmacy technician work experience
Key Eligibility Differences
| Requirement | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Education | High school diploma/GED | High school diploma/GED |
| Work Experience (if no formal training) | 1,200 hours | 500 hours |
| Minimum Age | 18 | None specified |
| Background Check | May be required by state | May be required by state |
| Felony Restrictions | Drug-related felonies may disqualify | Drug-related felonies may disqualify |
The PTCB requires significantly less work experience (500 hours vs 1,200 hours) for candidates without formal training. This is a major difference if you are entering through the on-the-job training pathway.
Content Domain Comparison
Both exams test pharmacy technician knowledge, but the emphasis and organization differ.
ExCPT Content Domains (Updated July 2025)
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Medications | 40% |
| Federal Requirements & Patient Safety | 25% |
| Order Entry & Processing | 20% |
| Patient Care & Communication | 15% |
PTCE Content Domains (Updated January 2026)
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Medications | 40% |
| Patient Safety & Quality Assurance | 26.25% |
| Order Entry & Processing | 21.25% |
| Federal Requirements | 12.5% |
What the Domain Differences Mean
Both exams place the heaviest emphasis on Medications at 40%. Beyond that, the differences are revealing:
- The ExCPT combines Federal Requirements with Patient Safety into a single 25% domain and adds a unique Patient Care & Communication domain (15%) that does not exist on the PTCE.
- The PTCE separates Federal Requirements (12.5%) from Patient Safety & Quality Assurance (26.25%), giving more weight to safety and QA processes.
- The ExCPT emphasizes practical workflow and patient interaction more heavily, reflecting NHA's focus on retail pharmacy practice.
- The PTCE emphasizes systems-level safety and quality improvement processes, reflecting PTCB's alignment with hospital and institutional pharmacy settings.
Bottom line: If you work in retail pharmacy, the ExCPT content may feel more familiar. If you work in a hospital or institutional setting, the PTCE content alignment may feel more natural.
Pass Rate Comparison
| Metric | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Pass Rate | ~63-64% | ~69-70% |
| Formal Program Graduates | ~70-72% | ~75-78% |
| OJT/Work Experience Only | ~55-58% | ~62-65% |
| First-Time Pass Rate | ~65% | ~71% |
| Retake Pass Rate | ~50-55% | ~55-60% |
Why the PTCE Has a Higher Pass Rate
The ~6-7 percentage point gap is not necessarily because the PTCE is an easier exam. Contributing factors include:
- Lower OJT threshold -- PTCB requires only 500 hours of work experience, but the larger proportion of PTCE candidates come through formal training programs (which have higher pass rates).
- More study resources -- The PTCB ecosystem has more textbooks, practice exams, and study courses available, giving candidates more preparation options.
- Online testing availability -- PTCE candidates can take the exam from home via Pearson VUE's OnVUE platform, potentially reducing testing center anxiety.
- Fewer total questions -- 90 questions in 110 minutes is less mentally fatiguing than 120 questions in 130 minutes.
Cost Comparison
Upfront Costs
| Cost Item | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Registration | $125 | $129 |
| NHA Study Package (optional) | $200-$350 | N/A |
| PTCB Practice Exam (optional) | N/A | $29-$48 |
| Retake Fee (if needed) | $125 | $129 |
Ongoing Costs
| Cost Item | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Renewal | ~$55 / 2 years | $49 / 2 years |
| CE Courses | $0-$200 / cycle | $0-$200 / cycle |
| Advanced Certification | N/A | CSPT: $89, CPhT-Adv: varies |
Total 10-Year Cost Comparison
| Scenario | ExCPT Path | PTCE Path |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Exam | $125 | $129 |
| 5 Renewal Cycles | $275 | $245 |
| 10-Year Total | ~$400 | ~$374 |
The cost difference over time is minimal. PTCB's lower renewal fee ($49 vs ~$55) slightly favors the PTCE long-term, but the ExCPT has a marginally lower initial exam fee.
Employer Acceptance
Who Prefers Which?
| Employer Type | Preference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large retail chains (CVS, Walgreens) | Both accepted equally | No preference in most locations |
| Independent pharmacies | Both accepted equally | May prefer whichever the owner is familiar with |
| Hospitals | Often prefer PTCB | PTCB has stronger hospital/institutional reputation |
| Federal government (VA, military) | PTCB preferred | Some federal positions specify PTCB certification |
| Mail-order pharmacies | Both accepted equally | Focus on certification, not which organization |
| Specialty pharmacies | PTCB slightly preferred | CSPT credential available only through PTCB |
| Compounding pharmacies | PTCB preferred | CSPT (sterile compounding) certification only through PTCB |
State Acceptance
Both ExCPT and PTCE are accepted in all 50 states plus DC. However, some states' pharmacy board regulations specifically reference "PTCB certification" in their statutes. In practice, NHA certification is accepted as equivalent in these states, but the PTCB wording gives some candidates peace of mind.
Important: Always verify with your specific State Board of Pharmacy to confirm which certifications they accept before registering for an exam.
Advanced Certification Opportunities
This is where the biggest difference lies for long-term career planning.
PTCB Advanced Certifications
PTCB offers two advanced credentials beyond the base CPhT:
1. CSPT (Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician)
- For pharmacy techs who prepare IV medications, chemotherapy, and other sterile products
- Requirements: Active CPhT + 1 year sterile compounding experience (with PTCB-recognized training) or 3 years CSP experience
- Exam: 75 questions (60 scored), 2 hours
- Salary impact: Typically $5,000-$12,000/year increase
- Annual renewal required
2. CPhT-Adv (Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician)
- For experienced techs demonstrating advanced competence across the full scope of pharmacy
- Requirements: Active CPhT for 4+ years + additional experience/education
- Benefits: Higher pay, leadership opportunities, management track eligibility
NHA Advanced Certifications
NHA does not currently offer advanced pharmacy technician certifications beyond the base CPhT. If you plan to specialize in sterile compounding, oncology, or pursue a leadership track, this is a significant consideration favoring PTCB.
Which Exam Should YOU Choose?
Choose the ExCPT if:
- You have 1,200+ hours of work experience and prefer to qualify through the NHA pathway
- Your employer specifically accepts or prefers NHA certification
- You work primarily in retail pharmacy and want content that reflects retail workflow
- You completed an NHA-approved training program
- You want a slightly lower initial exam fee ($125 vs $129)
- You do not plan to pursue advanced certifications like CSPT
Choose the PTCE if:
- You have 500+ hours of work experience and want to qualify sooner through OJT
- You work in or want to work in a hospital or institutional pharmacy
- You want access to advanced certifications (CSPT, CPhT-Adv) for career growth
- You prefer the option to take the exam online from home (Pearson VUE OnVUE)
- Your employer or state specifically references PTCB certification
- You want the highest pass rate and most available study resources
- You plan to work in a federal government pharmacy (VA, military)
Still Unsure? Ask These 3 Questions:
- What does your employer prefer? Ask your current or target employer which certification they prefer. Many will say "either," but some have a clear preference.
- Do you want advanced certifications? If yes, choose PTCB -- NHA does not offer them.
- How many work experience hours do you have? If you have 500-1,199 hours (without formal training), PTCB is your only option. If you have 1,200+, both are available.
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Switching Between Certifications
Can you switch from ExCPT to PTCE (or vice versa) after getting certified? Yes, but with caveats:
- You must take and pass the other exam -- there is no transfer or reciprocity between NHA and PTCB certifications.
- Your existing CE hours may transfer if they are from ACPE-accredited providers.
- You will pay the full exam fee for the new certification.
- Most candidates who switch do so because they want access to PTCB's advanced certifications (CSPT, CPhT-Adv).
The Bottom Line
Both the ExCPT and PTCE are legitimate, nationally recognized pathways to becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician. Neither is objectively "better" -- the right choice depends on your career goals, employer preferences, eligibility pathway, and long-term plans.
If you are primarily focused on retail pharmacy and want to get certified quickly, the ExCPT is a solid choice. If you want maximum career flexibility, hospital credibility, and access to advanced certifications, the PTCE has the edge.
Either way, the most important step is the same: start studying today.