100+ Free PEBC Pharmacist Practice Questions

Pass your Pharmacist Qualifying Examination (PEBC, Canada) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

1 / 100

Question 1

Score: 0/0

According to Hypertension Canada 2024 guidelines, what is the office blood pressure target for most adults with diabetes mellitus?

<140/90 mmHg

<130/80 mmHg

<150/90 mmHg

<120/70 mmHg

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: PEBC Pharmacist Exam

200

MCQ Questions (150 graded + 50 pretest)

PEBC Pharmacist Qualifying Examination page

4.5h

Approximate Testing Time

PEBC Part I exam structure

CAD $855

Part I Application Fee

PEBC fee schedule

50%

Clinical Care Weight (Part I)

PEBC 2026 Examination Blueprint

2026

Blueprint Edition

PEBC Examination Blueprint

PEBC reports the Part I MCQ as 200 questions over about 4.5 hours, with criterion-referenced scoring (cut-score not published). The 2026 blueprint allocates 50% to Clinical Care, 20% to Distribution, 12% to Professionalism, 11% to Knowledge and Expertise, 4% to Communication and Collaboration, and 3% to Leadership and Stewardship. The current Part I application fee is CAD $855 per the PEBC fee schedule. Passing both Part I and Part II OSCE leads to a Certificate of Qualification, used by provincial colleges of pharmacy for registration.

Sample PEBC Pharmacist Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your PEBC Pharmacist exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to Hypertension Canada 2024 guidelines, what is the office blood pressure target for most adults with diabetes mellitus?

A.<140/90 mmHg

B.<130/80 mmHg

C.<150/90 mmHg

D.<120/70 mmHg

Explanation: Hypertension Canada recommends a target of <130/80 mmHg for adults with diabetes to reduce cardiovascular and microvascular risk. Tighter control is supported by ACCORD/ADVANCE-derived analyses and Diabetes Canada concordance.

2Diabetes Canada recommends what general A1c target for most adults with type 2 diabetes?

A.≤6.0%

B.≤7.0%

C.≤7.5%

D.≤8.5%

Explanation: Diabetes Canada 2018/2024 guidelines target an A1c of ≤7.0% for most non-pregnant adults with type 2 diabetes to reduce microvascular complications. Targets can be individualized higher (e.g., ≤8.5%) in frail elderly or limited life expectancy.

3A 72-year-old man with non-valvular atrial fibrillation has no other CHADS2 risk factors. According to the CCS CHADS-65 algorithm, what is the most appropriate antithrombotic therapy?

A.No antithrombotic therapy

B.ASA 81 mg daily

C.Apixaban 5 mg twice daily

D.Warfarin INR 2.0–3.0

Explanation: The Canadian Cardiovascular Society CHADS-65 algorithm recommends a DOAC (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, or edoxaban) for any AFib patient ≥65 years, regardless of other risk factors. DOACs are preferred over warfarin in non-valvular AFib.

4Which of the following is recommended as first-line guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HFrEF in 2026 Canadian guidelines?

A.Digoxin + furosemide alone

B.ACEI/ARNI + beta-blocker + MRA + SGLT2 inhibitor

C.Calcium channel blocker + thiazide

D.ASA + statin only

Explanation: Current CCS HF guidelines recommend the four-pillar GDMT for HFrEF: ACEi/ARB or ARNI, evidence-based beta-blocker (bisoprolol, carvedilol, or metoprolol succinate), MRA (spironolactone or eplerenone), and an SGLT2 inhibitor (dapagliflozin or empagliflozin).

5A patient receives sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto). What is the minimum washout period required when switching from an ACE inhibitor?

A.No washout required

B.12 hours

C.36 hours

D.7 days

Explanation: A 36-hour washout is required between the last ACE inhibitor dose and the first dose of sacubitril/valsartan to avoid the increased angioedema risk from concurrent ACE and neprilysin inhibition. No washout is needed when switching from an ARB.

6Which laboratory parameter must be monitored before and during initiation of an MRA (spironolactone) in a patient with HFrEF?

A.Hemoglobin

B.Serum potassium and creatinine

C.ALT and AST

D.INR

Explanation: MRAs cause hyperkalemia, especially in renal impairment. Canadian HF guidelines advise checking potassium and creatinine at baseline, within 1–2 weeks of initiation or dose change, then periodically. Avoid initiating if K+ >5.0 mmol/L or eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m².

7A 60-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes and ASCVD has an A1c of 8.2% on metformin. According to Diabetes Canada, which add-on agent provides the best evidence for cardiovascular benefit?

A.Glyburide

B.Empagliflozin or liraglutide

C.Sitagliptin

D.Acarbose

Explanation: Diabetes Canada recommends adding an SGLT2 inhibitor with proven CV benefit (empagliflozin, canagliflozin) or a GLP-1 receptor agonist (liraglutide, semaglutide) as second-line therapy in T2D with established ASCVD, regardless of A1c.

8Which of the following is the most common adverse effect of metformin reported in early therapy?

A.Hypoglycemia

B.Gastrointestinal upset

C.Weight gain

D.Peripheral edema

Explanation: GI symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort) affect up to 30% of patients on metformin initiation. Tolerability improves with titration and taking with meals; extended-release formulations reduce GI effects.

9Metformin should be held or avoided when eGFR falls below which threshold?

A.<60 mL/min/1.73 m²

B.<45 mL/min/1.73 m²

C.<30 mL/min/1.73 m²

D.<15 mL/min/1.73 m²

Explanation: Health Canada and Diabetes Canada advise against initiating metformin if eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² and recommend dose reduction at eGFR 30–44 mL/min/1.73 m². The risk is lactic acidosis from accumulation.

10A patient with chronic stable angina is started on a beta-blocker. Which of the following is the most appropriate beta-blocker monitoring parameter?

A.Resting heart rate target 55–60 bpm

B.Resting heart rate target 90–100 bpm

C.Random glucose >10 mmol/L

D.INR 2.0–3.0

Explanation: For anti-anginal beta-blockade, target resting heart rate is approximately 55–60 bpm to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and ischemia, while avoiding symptomatic bradycardia.

About the PEBC Pharmacist Exam

The Pharmacist Qualifying Examination is the national licensure assessment for pharmacists in Canada (all provinces except Quebec). It is delivered in two parts: Part I is a 200-question MCQ exam (150 graded + 50 unscored pretest) administered over approximately 4.5 hours, and Part II is an 11-station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Both parts are mapped to the NAPRA 2024 Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice and the PEBC 2026 Examination Blueprint. Successful candidates who complete both parts receive a Certificate of Qualification, which is required by provincial regulators for licensure. Our practice covers Part I MCQ.

Questions

200 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 4.5 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced (cut-score not publicly disclosed)

Exam Fee

CAD $855 (PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada))

PEBC Pharmacist Exam Content Outline

50%

Providing Care: Clinical Care

Patient-specific therapy decisions across cardiology (Hypertension Canada, CCS AFib/HF), endocrine (Diabetes Canada A1c targets), respiratory, infectious disease, mental health, pain, geriatrics (Beers), pediatrics, pregnancy/lactation, drug interactions, and lab interpretation.

20%

Providing Care: Distribution

Prescription processing and review, sterile and non-sterile compounding under NAPRA Model Standards, controlled substances under the CDSA, dispensing accuracy, inventory, and product handling.

12%

Professionalism

NAPRA Code of Ethics, PIPEDA and provincial privacy law (PHIPA, HIA, PIPA), CDSA obligations, scope of practice with provincial variation, and ISMP Canada incident reporting.

11%

Knowledge and Expertise

Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics (half-life, clearance, volume of distribution), drug classes, mechanism of action, and biopharmaceutics.

Communication and Collaboration

Patient counseling, motivational interviewing, interprofessional collaboration, and culturally safe communication.

Leadership and Stewardship

Antimicrobial stewardship, deprescribing, quality improvement, and resource stewardship.

How to Pass the PEBC Pharmacist Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced (cut-score not publicly disclosed)
Exam length: 200 questions
Time limit: Approximately 4.5 hours
Exam fee: CAD $855

Keys to Passing

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

PEBC Pharmacist Study Tips from Top Performers

1Anchor Clinical Care prep on Canadian guidelines: Hypertension Canada (BP targets), Diabetes Canada (A1c ≤7.0%), CCS (AFib CHADS-65, HFrEF GDMT), and CTS (asthma/COPD)

2Memorize NAPRA Model Standards for sterile (non-hazardous) and hazardous compounding plus ventilation and PPE requirements

3Use SI units throughout your practice: serum creatinine in µmol/L, glucose in mmol/L, and calculate eGFR with the appropriate Canadian formula

4Learn Beers Criteria geriatric medications and Canadian deprescribing.org algorithms (PPIs, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics) for stewardship questions

5Know provincial scope-of-practice variation: Alberta APA full prescribing, Quebec/BC/ON minor ailments programs, and CDSA Schedule I narcotic requirements

6Drill the NAPRA Code of Ethics, PIPEDA plus provincial privacy law (PHIPA in ON, HIA in AB, PIPA in BC), and ISMP Canada incident reporting

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on PEBC Part I MCQ?

PEBC lists Part I as 200 multiple-choice questions (150 graded + 50 unscored pretest) administered over approximately 4.5 hours. Items are mapped to the 2026 PEBC Examination Blueprint.

What score do I need to pass PEBC Part I?

PEBC uses criterion-referenced scoring set by a standard-setting panel. The specific cut-score is not publicly disclosed. Candidates receive pass or fail results with diagnostic feedback by competency.

What topics are tested on PEBC Part I MCQ?

The 2026 blueprint allocates 50% to Clinical Care, 20% to Distribution, 12% to Professionalism, 11% to Knowledge and Expertise, 4% to Communication and Collaboration, and 3% to Leadership and Stewardship.

How much is the PEBC Part I exam fee?

The PEBC Part I (MCQ) application fee is CAD $855 per the current PEBC fee schedule. Part II OSCE is approximately CAD $1,915, bringing the typical total to about CAD $2,770.

Do I also need to pass Part II OSCE?

Yes. Provincial regulators require both Part I MCQ and Part II OSCE for the Certificate of Qualification. The OSCE has 11 stations and tests applied clinical skills, communication, and ethics in patient scenarios.

How should I study for PEBC Part I?

Weight your prep to the blueprint: spend the most time on Clinical Care (50%) using Canadian guidelines (Hypertension Canada, Diabetes Canada, CCS, CTS), then Distribution (20%) and Professionalism (12%). Practice in SI units (mmol/L, µmol/L) and the NAPRA 2024 competency framework.