Free Practice Questions for PTCE
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Key Facts: PTCE Exam
69%
Pass Rate (2025)
PTCB Credentials by the Numbers
1,400
Passing Score
Scaled, out of 1,600
500 hrs
Work Experience Path
PTCB
35%
Medications Weight
Largest domain
$129
Exam Fee
PTCB
1h 50m
Time Limit
PTCB
The PTCE has 90 total questions (80 scored + 10 pretest) with a 1 hour 50 minute time limit. A scaled score of 1,400 (out of 1,600) is required to pass. The exam costs $129 and is administered in person at Pearson test centers. The Medications domain (35%) is the largest section. PTCB says regulators and employers in all 50 states, DC, Guam and Puerto Rico accept PTCB Certification.
Sample PTCE Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PTCE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 420+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1What is the generic name for the brand drug Lipitor?
2Which brand name corresponds to the generic drug escitalopram?
3The generic name for Synthroid is:
4Which of the following is the brand name for duloxetine?
5What is the generic name for Eliquis?
6Jardiance is the brand name for which generic medication?
7Which generic drug corresponds to the brand name Ozempic?
8The brand name Entresto contains which combination of generic drugs?
9What is the brand name for the combination drug sumatriptan/naproxen sodium?
10Which of the following is the correct generic name for the brand drug Brilinta?
About the PTCE Exam
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is administered by the PTCB and qualifies pharmacy technicians to work in retail, hospital, and specialty pharmacy settings. It covers medications, federal requirements, patient safety, and order processing.
Exam sponsor: PTCB (Pearson VUE). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
90 questions
Time Limit
1 hour 50 minutes
Passing Score
1,400/1,600 scaled
Reported exam pass rate: 69%. of 49,253 PTCEs administered in 2025 (PTCB Credentials by the Numbers) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
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.
Medications
Generic/brand names, drug classes, mechanisms, side effects, interactions
Federal Requirements
DEA regulations, controlled substances, FDA recalls, REMS, DSCSA
Patient Safety & Quality Assurance
Error prevention, high-alert meds, look-alike/sound-alike drugs
Order Entry & Processing
Calculations, sig codes, administration supplies, NDC and lot numbers, returns
Preparing for the PTCE Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 1,400/1,600 scaled
- Exam length: 90 questions
- Time limit: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Exam / certification fees: $129 Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 420 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
PTCE: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PTCE pass rate?
PTCB reports that 69% of the 49,253 PTCEs administered in 2025 passed (70% in 2024). PTCB publishes one overall rate, not a first-time rate. The exam has 90 total questions (80 scored, 10 unscored) and requires a scaled score of 1,400 on a 1,000-1,600 scale. Medications, at 35%, is the largest domain.
How many questions are on the PTCE?
The PTCE has 90 total questions: 80 scored and 10 unscored pretest questions. You have 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete the exam. Questions are multiple-choice covering medications, federal requirements, patient safety, and order processing.
How hard is the PTCE?
The PTCE is moderately challenging. The Medications domain (35%) requires memorizing hundreds of generic/brand name pairs, drug classes, and interactions. Study the four domains in proportion to their outline weights. Focus on commonly prescribed drugs and controlled substance schedules.
What is the difference between PTCE and ExCPT?
Both certify pharmacy technicians, but they are administered by different organizations. PTCE is from PTCB (Pearson VUE) while ExCPT is from NHA (PSI). PTCB says regulators and employers in all 50 states accept PTCB Certification; for the ExCPT, check your state board of pharmacy. PTCE has 90 questions; ExCPT has 120 questions.
How long should I study for the PTCE?
Study the four domains in proportion to their outline weights. Prioritize the Medications domain (35% of exam) — learn the top 200 drugs by generic/brand name. Then master pharmacy calculations (dosing, concentrations, day supply) and controlled substance schedules (I-V).