What is the PTCE?
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is a computer-based exam given by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB.) Tests are administered at Pearson VUE test centers nationwide or, due to COVID-19, you can take a proctored exam from your home computer. Visit the PTCB website to see a complete list of temporary adjustments in effect for COVID-19.
If you choose to take your exam at one of the Pearson testing centers, take note to:
- Be sure to dress comfortably. Take a jacket in case the room is cold.
- You will not be permitted to take anything in the testing room with you except materials (pencil, calculator, scratch paper) that is provided by the testing center.
- Be sure to have your ID with you and arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your testing appointment.
Exam Outline
You have two hours to complete the exam. It contains 90 multiple-choice questions. 10 of these 90 questions will be unscored and are randomly distributed throughout exam.
Per the current 2020 PTCE Exam Outline, you can expect the exam to contain questions from these four domains.
- Medications 40% (approximately 36 questions)
- Federal Requirements 12.5% (approximately 10 to 12 questions)
- Patient Safety and Quality Assurance 26.25% (approximately 23 to 25 questions)
- Order Entry and Processing 21.25% (approximately 19 questions)