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

9 competencies

The blueprint follows the nine NAPRA pharmacy technician entry-to-practice competencies

PEBC - Qualifying Examination Blueprint

Product Distribution

The highest-weighted competency area in Part I (MCQ)

PEBC - Qualifying Examination Blueprint

CAD $575

Examination fee for Part I (MCQ)

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

100

Free original practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

The PEBC Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination Part I (MCQ) is the written, computer-based exam that pharmacy technicians must pass to be registered in Canada. It is a single-day Prometric exam of Type A single-best-answer questions; PEBC publishes no fixed count, but prep providers report roughly 150 items (about 120 scored) over a 3-hour-45-minute sitting. The blueprint follows the nine NAPRA pharmacy technician competencies, weighted most heavily toward product distribution (prescription processing, dispensing accuracy, compounding and inventory). The Part I fee is CAD $575, candidates get three attempts, 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 100-question 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 component of the national certification exam that pharmacy technicians must pass to become registered in Canada. It is a single-day exam delivered at Prometric centres, and every question is a Type A single-best-answer item that assesses one specific competency. The exam blueprint is based on the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice, organized into nine competency areas. Providing Care: Product Distribution carries the highest weighting in Part I, reflecting the technician's central role in prescription processing, dispensing accuracy, compounding and drug distribution. Candidates must also pass Part II (OSPE), a separate practical exam, within three years to complete certification. The passing score is criterion-referenced and set by subject matter experts rather than 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 (Type A single-best-answer). Items map to the nine NAPRA pharmacy technician competencies, weighted most heavily toward product 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 $575. Part II (OSPE) is a separate CAD $1,215 fee, and international graduates pay additional document-evaluation fees. Prometric may charge rescheduling or cancellation fees.

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.

43%

Providing Care: Product Distribution

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

15%

Patient Care

Gathering and verifying patient and prescription information, identifying when to refer to the pharmacist, recognizing the limits of the technician scope of practice, and supporting safe, accurate medication use for patients.

10%

Communication and Education

Professional communication with patients, prescribers and the pharmacy team, accurate documentation and record-keeping, and education within the technician role while referring drug-therapy questions to the pharmacist.

Ethical, Legal and Professional Responsibilities

Canadian pharmacy law, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Narcotic Control Regulations, privacy and PHIPA-style obligations, professional ethics, and the duties and accountabilities of a registered pharmacy technician.

Quality and Safety

Medication-safety practices, error prevention and reporting, independent double checks, look-alike/sound-alike strategies, and continuous quality improvement supporting a culture of patient safety.

16%

Collaboration, Practice Setting, Health Promotion and Knowledge Application

Intra- and inter-professional collaboration, managing the practice setting and resources, health promotion support, and applying knowledge, research, leadership and stewardship competencies in the pharmacy.

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 (Type A single-best-answer). Items map to the nine NAPRA pharmacy technician competencies, weighted most heavily toward product 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 $575. Part II (OSPE) is a separate CAD $1,215 fee, and international graduates pay additional document-evaluation fees. Prometric may charge rescheduling or cancellation fees. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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PEBC Tech QE Part I: Suggested Study Strategy

1Build your study plan around the PEBC blueprint and the nine NAPRA competencies, spending the most time on Providing Care: Product Distribution, which carries the highest weight in 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 specifics, especially the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Narcotic Control Regulations, and who may prescribe or transfer narcotics and targeted substances.

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 a fixed question count, but prep providers report roughly 150 items (about 120 scored plus pretest items) delivered in two blocks. 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 $575. Part II (OSPE) is a separate CAD $1,215 fee, international graduates pay additional document-evaluation fees, and Prometric may charge rescheduling or cancellation fees.

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 modelled on the NAPRA pharmacy technician competencies and the PEBC blueprint. They are not copied from official PEBC or NAPRA materials; always review the official PEBC sample questions and blueprint as well.