Free Practice Questions for PEBC Part I (MCQ)

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Key Facts: PEBC Part I (MCQ) Exam

About 4.5 hours

Single-day computer-based testing time at Prometric for Part I (MCQ)

PEBC - Pharmacist Qualifying Examination

6 competencies

Part I blueprint follows the six 2024 NAPRA entry-to-practice competencies

PEBC - Qualifying Examination Blueprint

About 50%

Providing Care: Clinical Care is the highest-weighted competency area

PEBC - Qualifying Examination Blueprint

CAD $855

2026 PEBC fee for the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ)

PEBC - Examination Dates and Fees

Criterion-referenced

No fixed pass percentage; an expert panel sets a standardized cut score

PEBC - Examination Scoring and Results

Standalone and case-based

MCQ items mix standalone questions with case-based clusters plus unscored pretest items

PEBC - Frequently Asked Questions

About 86%

Canadian reference graduates' first-time pass rate (2021-2023 administrations)

PEBC - Examination Scoring and Results

100

Free original practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

The PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ) is the multiple-choice part of Canada's national pharmacist licensing exam, delivered on computer at Prometric in about 4.5 hours. It is built to a blueprint from the 2024 NAPRA entry-to-practice competencies: Clinical Care is weighted around 50%, Product Distribution around 20%, Professionalism around 12%, Knowledge and Expertise around 11%, Communication and Education around 4%, and Leadership and Stewardship around 3%. The exam is criterion-referenced with no published pass percentage; a subject-matter expert panel sets the cut score and results are standardized across administrations. The 2026 fee is CAD $855, and the exam blends standalone and case-based questions plus unscored pretest items. This 100-question bank provides original practice modelled on the blueprint, emphasizing Canadian therapeutics, pharmaceutical calculations, drug distribution, law and ethics.

Sample PEBC Part I (MCQ) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PEBC Part I (MCQ) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 58-year-old man with newly diagnosed hypertension and type 2 diabetes (eGFR 70 mL/min, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio elevated) needs first-line antihypertensive therapy. Which class is most appropriate to start?

A.Thiazide diuretic

B.ACE inhibitor

C.Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker

D.Alpha-blocker

Explanation: In a patient with diabetes and albuminuria, an ACE inhibitor (or ARB) is preferred first-line because it lowers blood pressure and provides renal protection by reducing intraglomerular pressure and albuminuria. Hypertension Canada and Diabetes Canada guidelines recommend ACEi/ARB in this setting.

2A 64-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has an A1C of 8.2% on metformin. Which add-on agent best reduces cardiovascular risk per current Diabetes Canada guidance?

A.Glyburide

B.An SGLT2 inhibitor or GLP-1 receptor agonist with proven CV benefit

C.A DPP-4 inhibitor

D.Acarbose

Explanation: For people with type 2 diabetes and clinical cardiovascular disease, Diabetes Canada recommends adding an SGLT2 inhibitor or GLP-1 receptor agonist with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit, independent of A1C target, because these agents reduce major adverse cardiovascular events.

3A patient starting atorvastatin asks which symptom would most warrant contacting a health professional promptly. Which should the pharmacist counsel on?

A.Mild headache on the first day

B.Unexplained muscle pain with dark urine

C.A metallic taste

D.Occasional mild constipation

Explanation: Unexplained muscle pain or weakness with dark (tea-coloured) urine can signal rhabdomyolysis, a rare but serious statin adverse effect that requires prompt medical assessment and creatine kinase testing. Patients should be told to report these symptoms.

4A 72-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation, CHADS-65 positive, and an eGFR of 55 mL/min is to start anticoagulation. Which is generally preferred over warfarin for non-valvular AF in Canadian guidance?

A.A direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC)

B.Aspirin 81 mg daily

C.Low-dose unfractionated heparin

D.Clopidogrel

Explanation: For most patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation requiring anticoagulation, CCS guidelines recommend a DOAC over warfarin because of comparable or superior stroke prevention with lower intracranial bleeding risk and no routine INR monitoring. Dose is adjusted for renal function.

5A patient with asthma uses a salbutamol inhaler more than 4 times per week and wakes at night with symptoms twice a month. According to current asthma management, what change is most appropriate?

A.Continue salbutamol alone as needed

B.Add or optimize inhaled corticosteroid-containing controller therapy

C.Switch to oral prednisone daily

D.Add a long-acting muscarinic antagonist as monotherapy

Explanation: Frequent reliever use and nighttime symptoms indicate inadequate control. Current asthma guidance emphasizes inhaled corticosteroid-containing therapy (ICS or ICS-formoterol) as the controller foundation rather than relying on a short-acting beta-agonist alone.

6A 40-year-old woman with an uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection has no allergies and normal renal function. Which is a recommended first-line empiric option in Canada?

A.Ciprofloxacin

B.Nitrofurantoin

C.Amoxicillin

D.Azithromycin

Explanation: Nitrofurantoin is a preferred first-line agent for uncomplicated cystitis in non-pregnant adults with adequate renal function because of high efficacy and low collateral resistance. Fluoroquinolones are reserved due to resistance and adverse-effect concerns.

7A patient is starting sertraline for major depressive disorder. Which counselling point about onset of effect is most accurate?

A.Mood usually improves fully within 2 days

B.Full antidepressant effect may take 4 to 6 weeks

C.It works only if taken at the first sign of low mood

D.It should be stopped abruptly once mood improves

Explanation: SSRIs such as sertraline typically require 4 to 6 weeks for full antidepressant effect, though some improvement may appear earlier. Setting this expectation supports adherence during the early weeks when side effects may precede benefit.

8A 55-year-old man has frequent heartburn for several weeks without alarm features, partially relieved by antacids. Which step is most appropriate before referral?

A.Begin a once-daily proton pump inhibitor trial with lifestyle advice

B.Start long-term high-dose H2 antagonist and PPI together

C.Recommend daily NSAIDs to reduce inflammation

D.Advise increasing late-night meals

Explanation: For typical GERD symptoms without alarm features, a trial of a once-daily proton pump inhibitor combined with lifestyle measures is appropriate. Persistent or alarm symptoms (dysphagia, bleeding, weight loss) warrant referral.

9A patient on warfarin presents with an INR of 5.5 and no bleeding. The therapeutic range is 2.0 to 3.0. Which action is most appropriate?

A.Give intravenous vitamin K and 4-factor PCC immediately

B.Hold one or more warfarin doses and recheck INR, with low-dose oral vitamin K if indicated

C.Double the next warfarin dose

D.Switch immediately to a higher warfarin dose

Explanation: For an INR of 4.5 to 10 without bleeding, guidelines recommend holding warfarin and monitoring, sometimes with a small dose of oral vitamin K; routine high-dose vitamin K is not needed. INR is rechecked and warfarin resumed at an adjusted lower dose once in range.

10A pregnant patient in her first trimester asks about a safe option for occasional headache. Which analgesic is generally considered the preferred choice?

A.Ibuprofen

B.Acetaminophen

C.Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)

D.Naproxen

Explanation: Acetaminophen at recommended doses is generally the preferred analgesic in pregnancy. NSAIDs are usually avoided, particularly in the third trimester, due to risks such as premature ductus arteriosus closure and oligohydramnios.

About the PEBC Part I (MCQ) Exam

The PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ) is the multiple-choice component of the national licensing examination required to register as a pharmacist in Canada (except Quebec, which has its own process). It is a single-day, computer-based exam delivered at Prometric test centres in English or French, and it is the written counterpart to Part II, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The exam is built to a blueprint based on the 2024 NAPRA Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice, covering six competency areas, with Providing Care: Clinical Care carrying the highest weight, followed by Product Distribution. Questions blend standalone items with case-based clusters and emphasize applying knowledge to make safe clinical and dispensing decisions rather than recalling isolated facts. The exam is criterion-referenced with no fixed pass percentage, and it is distinct from the optional PEBC Evaluating Examination, which is a separate knowledge-screening exam earlier in the pathway.

Exam sponsor: Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), delivered at Prometric test centres. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

A single-day, computer-based multiple-choice examination. Items are a mix of standalone and case-based single-best-answer questions, each assessing one specific NAPRA entry-to-practice competency, with unscored pretest items embedded among scored items.

Time Limit

About 4.5 hours of testing time in one day at a Prometric test centre.

Passing Score

No fixed pass percentage is published. The exam is criterion-referenced: a panel of subject-matter experts sets a passing (cut) score, and candidate scores are placed on a standardized scale so the standard is comparable across administrations.

Exam / Certification Fees

CAD $855 (2026) for the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ), paid to PEBC. Prometric rescheduling or cancellation is $60 plus HST, and re-scoring (hand scoring) is $100.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

50%

Providing Care: Clinical Care / Patient Care

The dominant area. Practice covers pharmacotherapy and clinical judgment across cardiovascular disease, diabetes and endocrine disorders, respiratory disease, infectious disease, mental health, pain, and GI conditions, including patient assessment, drug and dose selection, monitoring parameters, adverse-effect management and Canadian guideline-based care plans.

20%

Providing Care: Product Distribution

Safe, accurate dispensing. Practice covers pharmaceutical calculations (concentrations, dilutions, IV rates, doses, days supply), compounding, auxiliary labelling, NAPRA National Drug Schedules, storage and stability, and recognizing dosing, interaction or order problems before they reach the patient.

12%

Professionalism

Canadian pharmacy law, ethics and regulation, scope of practice, controlled-substance handling, privacy, informed consent, conflicts of interest, equity, diversity and inclusion, and patient-safety and quality-improvement culture.

11%

Knowledge and Expertise

Applied drug and biomedical knowledge: mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, key adverse effects, contraindications, drug interactions and using current evidence and Canadian references.

Communication and Education

Patient counselling and health education, motivational and plain-language communication, and clear collaboration with prescribers and other health professionals.

Leadership and Stewardship

Resource and workflow stewardship, supporting and supervising the pharmacy team, and contributing to safe, sustainable and effective practice.

Preparing for the PEBC Part I (MCQ) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No fixed pass percentage is published. The exam is criterion-referenced: a panel of subject-matter experts sets a passing (cut) score, and candidate scores are placed on a standardized scale so the standard is comparable across administrations.
Assessment: A single-day, computer-based multiple-choice examination. Items are a mix of standalone and case-based single-best-answer questions, each assessing one specific NAPRA entry-to-practice competency, with unscored pretest items embedded among scored items.
Time limit: About 4.5 hours of testing time in one day at a Prometric test centre.
Exam / certification fees: CAD $855 (2026) for the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ), paid to PEBC. Prometric rescheduling or cancellation is $60 plus HST, and re-scoring (hand scoring) is $100. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PEBC Part I (MCQ): Suggested Study Strategy

1Weight your studying to the blueprint: roughly half the exam is Clinical Care, so prioritize current Canadian therapeutic guidelines across cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory, infectious disease, mental health, pain and GI.

2Drill pharmaceutical calculations under time pressure: concentrations, dilutions, IV infusion rates, doses by weight or body surface area, and days supply are high-yield Product Distribution items.

3Use current Canadian references and guidelines because therapeutics and legislation change; PEBC updates questions to reflect current practice, so outdated study material can mislead you.

4Learn the NAPRA National Drug Schedules and provincial scope of practice, including which products are Schedule I, II, III or unscheduled, and what pharmacists may prescribe or administer.

5Practice single-best-answer technique: read the full stem, decide before looking at options, and choose the most appropriate action when several options are partly correct.

6Build stamina with timed mixed-topic practice so you can hold focus across about 4.5 hours, and flag and return to harder case-based clusters rather than stalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the PEBC Qualifying Exam Part I (MCQ)?

Part I (MCQ) is a single-day, computer-based exam with about 4.5 hours of testing time, delivered at Prometric test centres in English or French.

How many questions are on the PEBC MCQ exam?

PEBC does not publish a fixed number of scored questions. The exam is built to a competency blueprint and includes unscored pretest items that do not count toward your score. This practice bank provides 100 questions.

What is the passing score for the PEBC MCQ?

There is no fixed pass percentage. The exam is criterion-referenced: a panel of subject-matter experts sets the passing (cut) score, and scores are standardized so the standard is comparable across exam administrations.

What does the PEBC MCQ blueprint cover?

It is based on the 2024 NAPRA entry-to-practice competencies. Providing Care: Clinical Care is weighted highest at roughly 50%, then Product Distribution around 20%, Professionalism around 12%, Knowledge and Expertise around 11%, Communication and Education around 4%, and Leadership and Stewardship around 3%.

How is Part I (MCQ) different from the PEBC Evaluating Exam and Part II OSCE?

Part I (MCQ) is the multiple-choice component of the Qualifying Examination. Part II is the practical OSCE with simulated patient stations. The Evaluating Examination is a separate, earlier knowledge-screening exam, not part of the Qualifying Examination.

How much does the PEBC MCQ cost in 2026?

The 2026 fee for the Pharmacist Qualifying Examination - Part I (MCQ) is CAD $855, paid to PEBC by credit card. Prometric rescheduling or cancellation costs $60 plus HST, and re-scoring is $100.