Career upgrade: Learn practical AI skills for better jobs and higher pay.
Level up
All Practice Exams

298+ Free ExCPT Practice Questions

Pass your Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately
~65-70% Pass Rate
298+ Questions
100% Free
1 / 298
Question 1
Score: 0/0

How many refills are permitted on a prescription for tramadol (Ultram)?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ExCPT Exam

65-70%

First-Time Pass Rate

NHA estimate

390/500

Passing Score

Scaled score

60-80 hrs

Study Time

Recommended

55%

Dispensing Process

Largest domain

$117-129

Exam Fee

NHA

2h 10m

Time Limit

NHA

The ExCPT has 120 total questions (100 scored + 20 pretest) with a 2 hour 10 minute time limit. A scaled score of 390 (out of 500) is required to pass. The Dispensing Process domain (55%) is the largest section. The exam is administered at PSI testing centers or via online proctoring. NHA certification is recognized in most states.

Sample ExCPT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ExCPT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 298+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which federal law requires pharmacists to offer counseling to Medicaid patients?
A.HIPAA
B.OBRA-90
C.Durham-Humphrey Amendment
D.Kefauver-Harris Amendment
Explanation: OBRA-90 (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990) requires pharmacists to offer counseling and perform Drug Utilization Review (DUR) for Medicaid patients. Many states have extended this requirement to all patients.
2Under HIPAA, Protected Health Information (PHI) may be disclosed without patient authorization for which of the following purposes?
A.Marketing campaigns
B.Employer background checks
C.Research without IRB approval
D.Treatment, Payment, and Operations (TPO)
Explanation: HIPAA permits disclosure of PHI without patient authorization for Treatment, Payment, and healthcare Operations (TPO). Marketing, employer requests, and unapproved research require written patient authorization.
3The Durham-Humphrey Amendment of 1951 established which important distinction?
A.Controlled substance schedules
B.Generic drug approval requirements
C.Prescription (legend) drugs vs. OTC drugs
D.Child-resistant packaging requirements
Explanation: The Durham-Humphrey Amendment (1951) created the distinction between prescription (legend) drugs that require a prescriber order and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can be sold without a prescription. Legend drugs must bear the label "Rx Only."
4The Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) requires child-resistant containers for most medications. Which of the following is an exception?
A.Ibuprofen tablets
B.Amoxicillin capsules
C.Lisinopril tablets
D.Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
Explanation: Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets are exempt from child-resistant packaging requirements because the medication must be quickly accessible during an emergency such as chest pain. Other exemptions include oral contraceptives in manufacturer packaging and patient-requested easy-open caps.
5Which federal law restricts the sale of pseudoephedrine and requires purchasers to show photo ID and sign a logbook?
A.Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA)
B.Controlled Substances Act
C.Drug Supply Chain Security Act
D.Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Explanation: The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) of 2005 restricts pseudoephedrine sales to prevent diversion for methamphetamine production. It limits purchases to 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per 30 days, requires valid photo ID, and mandates logbook signatures.
6A pharmacy technician notices that a coworker is discussing a patient's medication history in the break room with non-pharmacy staff. This is a potential violation of:
A.OBRA-90
B.Poison Prevention Packaging Act
C.Drug Supply Chain Security Act
D.HIPAA
Explanation: Discussing a patient's medication history with unauthorized individuals is a violation of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). PHI must only be shared on a need-to-know basis for treatment, payment, or operations purposes.
7The Kefauver-Harris Amendment of 1962 requires drug manufacturers to prove which of the following before a drug can be marketed?
A.Only safety
B.Only efficacy
C.Both safety and efficacy
D.Cost-effectiveness
Explanation: The Kefauver-Harris Amendment (1962) was passed in response to the thalidomide tragedy. It requires manufacturers to prove both safety and efficacy through adequate clinical trials before a drug can be approved by the FDA for marketing.
8Under OBRA-90, which task must a pharmacist perform before dispensing a new prescription to a Medicaid patient?
A.Verify the patient's income
B.Contact the prescriber for approval
C.Obtain prior authorization from the PBM
D.Perform a prospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR)
Explanation: OBRA-90 mandates that pharmacists perform a prospective Drug Utilization Review (DUR) before dispensing. This includes checking for drug-drug interactions, therapeutic duplication, incorrect dosage, and drug-allergy contraindications.
9The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) requires pharmacies to maintain which documentation for drug products they receive?
A.Patient consent forms
B.Prescriber verification records
C.Transaction information, transaction history, and transaction statements (T3)
D.Insurance billing receipts
Explanation: The DSCSA requires maintaining the "T3" documents: Transaction Information, Transaction History, and Transaction Statements. These documents trace the chain of custody from manufacturer to pharmacy, helping prevent counterfeit drugs from entering the supply chain.
10When federal and state pharmacy laws conflict, which standard applies?
A.Federal law always applies
B.State law always applies
C.The more stringent (stricter) law applies
D.The pharmacy may choose which to follow
Explanation: When federal and state pharmacy laws conflict, the more stringent (stricter) law applies. For example, if federal law allows 5 refills on a Schedule III drug but a state law allows only 3, the pharmacy must follow the state law limiting refills to 3.

About the ExCPT Exam

The ExCPT is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and certifies pharmacy technicians for retail and hospital pharmacy settings. It covers pharmacy law, the dispensing process, and drugs/drug therapy.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours 10 minutes

Passing Score

390/500 scaled

Exam Fee

$117-129 (NHA (PSI testing centers))

ExCPT Exam Content Outline

25%

Overview and Laws

Pharmacy law, controlled substances, federal regulations, scope of practice

55%

Dispensing Process

Prescription processing, calculations, compounding, billing, inventory, medication safety

20%

Drugs and Drug Therapy

Drug classifications, top drugs, interactions, OTC medications

How to Pass the ExCPT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 390/500 scaled
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Exam fee: $117-129

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ExCPT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus on the Dispensing Process (55% of exam) — calculations, prescription intake, compounding, and billing
2Master controlled substance schedules I-V and storage/disposal requirements
3Practice pharmacy math: ratio/proportion, concentrations, day supply, conversions
4Learn the top 200 drugs by generic and brand name, plus common drug interactions
5Know insurance billing terms: DAW codes, PA requirements, formulary restrictions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ExCPT pass rate?

The ExCPT has an estimated 65-70% first-time pass rate. The exam has 120 total questions (100 scored, 20 pretest) and requires a scaled score of 390 out of 500. The Dispensing Process domain at 55% is by far the largest section.

How many questions are on the ExCPT?

The ExCPT has 120 total questions: 100 scored and 20 unscored pretest questions. You have 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes). Questions are multiple-choice covering pharmacy law, dispensing processes, and drug therapy.

Is ExCPT or PTCE better?

Both certifications are valid, but PTCE (PTCB) is more widely recognized and accepted in all 50 states. ExCPT (NHA) is accepted in most states and may be preferred by some employers, especially in the NHA network. Check your state requirements and employer preferences before choosing.

How long should I study for the ExCPT?

Plan for 60-80 hours over 4-6 weeks. Focus heavily on the Dispensing Process (55% of the exam), especially pharmacy calculations, prescription processing, and medication safety. Master the top 200 drugs and controlled substance schedules.

How hard is the ExCPT?

The ExCPT is considered moderately difficult. The Dispensing Process section (55%) requires thorough knowledge of calculations, compounding, and insurance billing. Pharmacy law (25%) tests controlled substance schedules and federal regulations. With 60-80 hours of study, most candidates pass.