Free Practice Questions for PEBC Tech QE Part I

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Key Facts: PEBC Tech QE Part I Exam

Part I (MCQ)

Written computer-based multiple-choice exam; Part II (OSPE) is a separate practical exam

PEBC - General Information

3 hours 45 minutes

Total Part I (MCQ) sitting time including orientation and post-exam survey

PEBC - About the Examination Part I

6 competency areas

PEBC's 2026 blueprint has six competency areas across five domains, based on NAPRA's 2024 competencies

PEBC - Qualifying Examination Blueprint

53%

Approximate share of Part I (MCQ) for Providing Care: Distribution, the highest-weighted area

PEBC - Qualifying Examination Blueprint

CAD $585

Examination fee for Part I (MCQ) for 2027 sittings

PEBC - Examination Dates and Fees

3 attempts

Candidates get three attempts per Part before Board-approved remediation is required

PEBC - General Information

Criterion-referenced

Passing score is a cut-score set by subject matter experts, not a fixed percentage

PEBC - Examination Scoring and Results

Free

Original practice questions with explanations in this bank

OpenExamPrep

The PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) is the written, computer-based exam pharmacy technicians must pass for PEBC certification in Canada. It is a single-day Prometric exam of Type A single-best-answer questions in a 3-hour-45-minute sitting; PEBC does not publish the number of questions. The 2026 blueprint weights Providing Care: Distribution at about 53% of Part I, followed by Clinical Care (17%) and Professionalism (13%). The 2027 Part I fee is CAD $585, candidates get three attempts per part, and Part II (OSPE) must be passed within three years. The passing score is a criterion-referenced cut-score set by subject-matter experts, not a fixed percentage. This free bank gives original Canadian-context practice across the technician scope of practice.

Sample PEBC Tech QE Part I Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PEBC Tech QE Part I exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 120+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A patient picks up a new prescription for amoxicillin 500 mg three times daily. The patient profile lists a documented allergy to penicillin with rash. What is the most appropriate first step for the pharmacy technician?

A.Dispense the prescription because amoxicillin is not penicillin

B.Flag the prescription and refer to the pharmacist before processing further

C.Counsel the patient to take diphenhydramine if a rash develops

D.Cancel the prescription and tell the patient to call the prescriber

Explanation: Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic, so a documented penicillin allergy is a clinical issue that must be addressed by the pharmacist before dispensing. Flagging the prescription and referring it to the pharmacist for clinical assessment is within the pharmacy technician's scope under the NAPRA Professional Competencies and is the safe, correct action.

2While processing a prescription, the technician notices the patient is already taking warfarin and the new prescription is for ciprofloxacin. What is the appropriate technician action?

A.Dispense the ciprofloxacin and remind the patient to monitor for bruising

B.Process the prescription and refer the interaction concern to the pharmacist for clinical review

C.Refuse to fill the prescription due to a major drug interaction

D.Suggest the patient stop the warfarin while taking the antibiotic

Explanation: Ciprofloxacin can potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, raising INR and bleeding risk. The technician's role is to identify the interaction (a Distribution/Clinical Care competency) and refer it to the pharmacist for therapeutic assessment. The technician does not counsel on therapy or change therapy.

3A patient brings in a prescription for metformin 500 mg twice daily. The technician notices the patient is also taking another prescription for metformin XR 1000 mg once daily that was filled last week. What is the most appropriate action?

A.Fill the new prescription as written

B.Identify the potential therapeutic duplication and refer to the pharmacist

C.Tell the patient to choose which one to take

D.Document the duplication and dispense both medications

Explanation: Two metformin products represent a therapeutic duplication that could lead to overdose, GI side effects, or hypoglycemia risk. Identifying duplications during prescription review and referring to the pharmacist is a core technician competency under Providing Care.

4A 4-year-old child is prescribed amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL, dose 200 mg three times daily. What dose volume should the technician verify on the prescription label?

A.2 mL three times daily

B.4 mL three times daily

C.5 mL three times daily

D.8 mL three times daily

Explanation: Using the ratio 250 mg / 5 mL = 50 mg/mL: 200 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 4 mL per dose. This calculation skill (ratio strength to volume) is part of Distribution/Clinical Care competencies.

5A patient asks the technician what they can take for a mild headache. The patient takes ramipril and ASA 81 mg daily. What is the appropriate technician action?

A.Recommend ibuprofen because it is more effective than acetaminophen

B.Refer the OTC selection to the pharmacist for assessment

C.Recommend regular-strength acetaminophen 500 mg

D.Suggest the patient double their daily ASA dose

Explanation: Recommending an OTC product to a patient on chronic medications requires clinical assessment of interactions and contraindications (e.g., NSAID + ACE inhibitor + ASA increases renal/bleeding risk). Self-care recommendations are pharmacist activities under NAPRA; technicians refer the patient to the pharmacist.

6A prescription reads 'levothyroxine 100 mcg po daily' for a patient. The technician sees the prescriber wrote '0.1 mg' on the original script. Are these doses equivalent?

A.No, 0.1 mg is 10 mcg

B.Yes, 0.1 mg equals 100 mcg

C.No, 0.1 mg is 1000 mcg

D.Yes, both are equal to 50 mcg

Explanation: 1 mg = 1000 mcg, so 0.1 mg = 100 mcg. The doses are equivalent. Verifying unit conversions on prescription labels is a core technician competency to prevent dispensing errors.

7A prescription is presented for sildenafil 50 mg as needed. The patient profile shows the patient is taking nitroglycerin spray for angina. What should the technician do?

A.Dispense the sildenafil and counsel on timing

B.Flag the contraindication to the pharmacist immediately

C.Tell the patient to stop using nitroglycerin

D.Reduce the sildenafil dose to 25 mg

Explanation: PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil) combined with nitrates (nitroglycerin) can cause severe, life-threatening hypotension. This is a major contraindication that must be flagged to the pharmacist immediately. Identifying contraindications and escalating to the pharmacist is a Providing Care competency.

8A pediatric patient weighing 18 kg is prescribed acetaminophen 15 mg/kg per dose. The available product is 80 mg/mL infant drops. What volume should the label indicate per dose?

A.1.7 mL

B.2.7 mL

C.3.4 mL

D.5.0 mL

Explanation: Dose = 18 kg × 15 mg/kg = 270 mg. Volume = 270 mg ÷ 80 mg/mL = 3.375 mL, rounded to 3.4 mL. Weight-based pediatric calculations are essential Distribution skills.

9A patient with chronic kidney disease (eGFR 25 mL/min) brings in a new prescription for ibuprofen 400 mg three times daily. What is the appropriate technician action?

A.Process and dispense as written

B.Flag to the pharmacist due to renal precaution with NSAID use

C.Substitute naproxen as an alternative

D.Counsel the patient to drink extra water with the medication

Explanation: NSAIDs reduce renal blood flow and can worsen renal function in CKD. The technician should flag the prescription for pharmacist clinical review. Identifying patient-specific factors (renal function) that affect therapy is part of Providing Care.

10A prescription reads 'metoprolol tartrate 50 mg po BID'. The patient profile shows a separate active prescription for metoprolol succinate 100 mg po daily. What is the most appropriate action?

A.Dispense both prescriptions

B.Flag to the pharmacist as a possible therapeutic duplication

C.Cancel the new prescription

D.Inform the patient they can choose one

Explanation: Metoprolol tartrate (immediate-release) and succinate (extended-release) are the same drug in different salt/release forms. Concurrent prescriptions could indicate intended switch or unintended duplication. The technician flags it for pharmacist clarification.

About the PEBC Tech QE Part I Exam

The PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) is the written, computer-based multiple-choice part of the national exam that pharmacy technicians must pass for PEBC certification, which provincial regulators require for registration. It is a single-day exam at Prometric test centres (or by remote proctoring), and every question is a Type A single-best-answer item that assesses one specific competency. PEBC's 2026 blueprint, used from the September 2026 sitting, is based on NAPRA's 2024 Professional Competencies for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice and has six competency areas. Providing Care: Distribution carries about 53% of Part I, reflecting the technician's central role in prescription processing, calculations, compounding, verification and inventory. Candidates must also pass Part II (OSPE) within three years. The passing score is a criterion-referenced cut-score set by subject-matter experts, not a fixed percentage.

Exam sponsor: Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC), delivered via Prometric computer-based testing 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 exam of Type A single-best-answer questions. Items map to the six competency areas of PEBC's 2026 blueprint, weighted most heavily toward Providing Care: Distribution. Part II (OSPE) is a separate practical exam and is not covered by this bank.

Time Limit

The Part I (MCQ) sitting is 3 hours and 45 minutes total, including the computer-based testing orientation, the examination period and a post-exam survey, with roughly 30 minutes for admission beforehand.

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced with no fixed published percentage. A panel of subject matter experts sets the cut-score representing the number of correct items needed to meet the minimum performance standard, and scores are standardized so the pass standard is comparable across exam administrations.

Exam / Certification Fees

The Part I (MCQ) fee is CAD $585 for 2027 sittings. Part II (OSPE) is a separate CAD $1,240, re-scoring Part I costs CAD $100, and Prometric charges CAD $60 plus HST to reschedule or cancel.

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.

53%

Providing Care: Distribution

The highest-weighted area in Part I (MCQ). Covers prescription intake and processing, product preparation including non-sterile and sterile compounding and aseptic technique, verification and release, packaging and labelling, and inventory and drug-distribution management. Practice includes pharmaceutical calculations (doses, concentrations, dilutions, days supply, IV and compounding math).

17%

Providing Care: Clinical Care

Gathering and verifying patient information (including best possible medication histories), measuring physical attributes and performing ordered point-of-care tests, supporting the care plan, and identifying when to refer to the pharmacist.

13%

Professionalism

Canadian pharmacy legislation (the Food and Drugs Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Regulations in force from October 1, 2026, and provincial rules), ethical principles, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and a culture of patient safety and continuous quality improvement.

Knowledge and Expertise

Using professional judgment and evidence-informed technical decision making in the best interests of the patient, utilizing authoritative Canadian compendia and drug references.

Leadership and Stewardship

Promoting public and community health and wellness, supporting disease prevention, immunization clinics, harm reduction, and safe medication disposal.

Communication and Collaboration

Effective verbal and non-verbal communication, working in partnership with patients, interprofessional collaboration with the pharmacy team and healthcare providers, and documentation standards.

Preparing for the PEBC Tech QE Part I Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced with no fixed published percentage. A panel of subject matter experts sets the cut-score representing the number of correct items needed to meet the minimum performance standard, and scores are standardized so the pass standard is comparable across exam administrations.
Assessment: A single-day, computer-based multiple-choice exam of Type A single-best-answer questions. Items map to the six competency areas of PEBC's 2026 blueprint, weighted most heavily toward Providing Care: Distribution. Part II (OSPE) is a separate practical exam and is not covered by this bank.
Time limit: The Part I (MCQ) sitting is 3 hours and 45 minutes total, including the computer-based testing orientation, the examination period and a post-exam survey, with roughly 30 minutes for admission beforehand.
Exam / certification fees: The Part I (MCQ) fee is CAD $585 for 2027 sittings. Part II (OSPE) is a separate CAD $1,240, re-scoring Part I costs CAD $100, and Prometric charges CAD $60 plus HST to reschedule or cancel. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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PEBC Tech QE Part I: Suggested Study Strategy

1Build your study plan around PEBC's 2026 blueprint and its six competency areas, spending the most time on Providing Care: Distribution, which is about 53% of Part I.

2Drill pharmaceutical calculations daily: concentrations and dilutions, ratio strengths (e.g., 1:1000), days supply, alligation, IV rates and pediatric weight-based doses, since calculation errors are easy to avoid with practice.

3Know your scope: many questions hinge on recognizing when a technician must refer to the pharmacist versus acting independently on a technical task.

4Review Canadian law, especially the Controlled Substances Regulations in force from October 1, 2026, which changed who may receive verbal controlled-substance prescriptions, when refills and transfers are allowed, and how destruction is done.

5Practise prescription-processing and product-release checks step by step, comparing the order, the label and the product to catch transcription, drug, strength and quantity errors.

6Use the official PEBC sample questions and demo tutorial to get comfortable with Type A single-best-answer phrasing and the on-screen calculator before exam day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination Part I?

It is the written, computer-based multiple-choice (MCQ) component of PEBC's national certification exam for pharmacy technicians in Canada. Every question is a single-best-answer item, and each assesses one specific NAPRA competency. Part II is a separate practical OSPE.

How many questions are on Part I and how long is it?

PEBC does not publish the number of Part I questions. Each question is worth one mark and assesses one competency. The full sitting is 3 hours and 45 minutes, including the orientation and a post-exam survey.

What is the passing score?

The passing score is criterion-referenced. PEBC does not publish a fixed percentage; a panel of subject matter experts sets the cut-score for the number of correct items needed to meet the minimum performance standard, and scores are standardized across administrations.

How much does Part I (MCQ) cost?

The Part I (MCQ) examination fee is CAD $585 for 2027 sittings. Part II (OSPE) is a separate CAD $1,240, international graduates pay additional evaluation fees, and Prometric charges CAD $60 plus HST to reschedule or cancel.

How many attempts do I get?

Candidates are permitted three attempts on each Part of the Qualifying Examination. After three unsuccessful attempts, Board-approved remediation is required before a fourth and final attempt. Both Parts must be completed within three years of one another.

Are these official PEBC practice questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep questions written for independent practice on the NAPRA pharmacy technician competencies and PEBC's blueprint areas. They are not copied from official PEBC or NAPRA materials; always review the official PEBC sample questions and blueprint as well.