About the ExCPT
Key Takeaways
The ExCPT is administered by NHA as an alternative to PTCE for pharmacy technician certification.
Exam format: 120 questions (100 scored + 20 pretest) in 2 hours 10 minutes.
Passing scaled score is 390 on a scale of 200 to 500.
The exam application fee is $129 in the NHA store; score reports for PSI test-center and remote exams arrive within 48 hours.
More flexible eligibility: training program OR 1,200 hours work experience.
About the ExCPT Exam
Quick Answer: The ExCPT is a 120-question (100 scored), 130-minute exam with a passing score of 390 (on a 200-500 scale) and a $129 exam fee. It qualifies you as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). You need a training program or 1,200 hours of work experience.
The ExCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and serves as an alternative to the PTCB's PTCE for pharmacy technician certification.
Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians |
| Administered By | NHA (PSI testing centers or live remote proctoring) |
| Questions | 120 multiple-choice (100 scored + 20 pretest) |
| Time Limit | 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes) |
| Passing Score | 390 scaled score (range: 200-500) |
| Cost | $129 (NHA store) |
| Testing Options | In-person at PSI centers or live remote proctoring |
What Does the CPhT Credential Allow?
Passing the ExCPT and earning CPhT certification qualifies you to:
- Work as a certified pharmacy technician in retail, hospital, and specialty pharmacies
- Assist pharmacists with medication dispensing and preparation
- Handle controlled substances under pharmacist supervision
- Process prescriptions and manage medication orders
- Meet employer requirements that require national certification
Note: Both PTCE and ExCPT lead to the CPhT credential. State rules for pharmacy technicians vary, so check your state board of pharmacy to confirm it accepts the ExCPT before you apply.
ExCPT vs PTCE Comparison
| Feature | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 100 scored + 20 pretest | 80 scored + 10 pretest |
| Time | 2 hours 10 minutes | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Passing Score | 390/500 | 1,400/1,600 |
| Cost | $129 | $129 |
| Pass Rate | 62.75% (NHA, 2025) | 69% (PTCB, 2025) |
| Experience Option | 1,200 hours in a one-year period within the last 3 years | 500 hours |
| Renewal | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
Eligibility Requirements
To take the ExCPT, you must have a high school diploma or GED AND meet ONE of these pathways:
| Pathway | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pathway 1 | Complete a pharmacy technician training program within the last 5 years |
| Pathway 2 | Have 1,200+ hours of supervised pharmacy work experience within the last 3 years |
Additional Requirements
- Must have a valid high school diploma or GED (high school students may test up to 12 months before graduation for a Provisional Certification)
- Must comply with all NHA policies
Exam Structure by Domain
The NHA test plan (2023 job analysis, used for exams scheduled on or after July 9, 2025) has five domains and 100 scored items:
| Domain | Description | Scored Items |
|---|---|---|
| Role, Responsibilities, and General Duties | Technician vs pharmacist tasks, security, inventory, storage, recalls | 15 |
| Laws | Laws and regulations (9), controlled substances (6) | 15 |
| Drugs and Drug Therapy | Drug classification (8), frequently prescribed medications (5) | 13 |
| Dispensing Process | Intake and entry (13), preparing and dispensing (13), calculations (7), compounding, unit dose and repackaging (10) | 43 |
| Medication and Patient Safety and Quality Assurance | Error prevention, look-alike/sound-alike and high-alert drugs, QA checks | 14 |
Retake Policy
| Attempt | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| 1st attempt | N/A |
| 2nd attempt | 30-day waiting period |
| 3rd attempt | 30-day waiting period |
| After 3 attempts | Must wait 1 year before retaking |
Certification Renewal
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Validity | 2 years |
| CE Hours Required | Check NHA's current rules |
| Pharmacy Law | Check NHA's current rules |
| Patient Safety | Check NHA's current rules |
| Renewal Fee | $55 |
| Reinstatement | Within 1 year of expiration (plus recertification and reinstatement fees); after 1 year, retake the exam |
How many questions are on the ExCPT exam, and how many are scored?
100 questions, all scored
100 scored questions plus 20 pretest questions
90 scored questions plus 10 pretest questions
80 questions, all scored
What is the passing scaled score for the ExCPT?
300 on a scale of 200 to 500
390 on a scale of 200 to 500
70% correct
1,400 on a scale of 1,000 to 1,600
Which organization administers the ExCPT exam?
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
NHA (National Healthcareer Association)
DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.