The PTCE in 2026, verified
Updated
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is PTCB’s CPhT exam: 90 questions, 1h50m, $129, pass at 1,400 on a 1,000–1,600 scale — in person only. Every number on this page is checked against ptcb.org and dated.
PTCE at a glance
Verified against the sources below
- Questions80 scored + 10 unscored, mixed in and unidentified
- 90 multiple-choice ptcb.org
- TimeThe exam clock inside a 2-hour appointment (5-min tutorial + 5-min survey)
- 1h50m ptcb.org
- CostApplication + one attempt; every retake is the same fee
- $129 ptcb.org
- Passing scoreScaled range 1,000–1,600
- 1,400 ptcb.org
- Where1,400+ Pearson VUE centers; online testing is discontinued
- In person only ptcb.org
- ResultsPreliminary result on screen; the official score posts to your PTCB account
- 1–3 weeks PTCB help center
The 2026 content outline, on the page
Effective 2026-01-06. PTCB publishes this as a PDF; here it is as a table, weights exact to two decimals, with each domain’s official knowledge areas and the matching free quiz.
| Domain | Weight | ~Scored questions | Knowledge areas | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Medications | 35% | ≈28 of 80 |
| Free quiz |
| 2. Federal Requirements | 18.75% | ≈15 of 80 |
| Free quiz |
| 3. Patient Safety & Quality Assurance | 23.75% | ≈19 of 80 |
| Free quiz |
| 4. Order Entry & Processing | 22.5% | ≈18 of 80 |
| Free quiz |
| Total | 100% | 80 scored | ||
What changed in January 2026
The outline that took effect 2026-01-06 reshaped the exam. Most prep sites — including pages stamped “updated 2026” — still teach the retired weights. If your study material says Medications is 40% of the exam, it’s describing an exam that no longer exists.
Weights, then → now
- Medications40%35% ▼
- Federal Requirements12.5%18.75% ▲
- Patient Safety & Quality Assurance26.25%23.75% ▼
- Order Entry & Processing21.25%22.5% ▲
2020 outline (retired Jan 5, 2026) shown struck through.
Added
- new DSCSA track-and-trace
- new drug take-back programs
- new drug stability
Removed
- gone alligation
- gone NTI medications
- gone non-sterile compounding
Also gone: online at-home testing. The PTCE is in person at Pearson VUE centers only.
PTCB vs. PTCE — org vs. exam
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) is the certifying organization. PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) is the exam it administers. Passing the PTCE earns the CPhT(Certified Pharmacy Technician) credential. “PTCB exam,” “PTCB test,” and “PTCE” all name the same exam — this page covers that exam, and the credential’s renewal fees live on the cost page.
Common questions
How many questions are on the PTCB exam?
90 multiple-choice questions, of which 80 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest items. The unscored questions are mixed in and never identified, so treat every question as if it counts — you can’t tell them apart.
How long is the PTCB exam?
The exam clock runs 1h50m. Your Pearson VUE appointment is booked for two hours: a 5-minute tutorial, 110 minutes of exam, and a 5-minute exit survey. Budget the full two hours plus check-in time with photo ID.
What is on the PTCB exam?
Four domains, weighted by the 2026 outline: Medications (35%), Federal Requirements (18.75%), Patient Safety & Quality Assurance (23.75%), Order Entry & Processing (22.5%). The full table above breaks each domain into its official knowledge areas, with a practice quiz per domain.
Can you take the PTCB exam at home or online?
No. The PTCE is in-person only, at 1,400+ Pearson VUE test centers. PTCB previously offered online proctored testing (OnVUE) and discontinued it — pages that still say you can test from home are out of date. Verified 2026-08-04 on ptcb.org.
What is the difference between PTCB and PTCE?
PTCB is the organization — the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. The PTCE is its exam: the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam. Pass the PTCE and you earn PTCB’s CPhT credential. When people say “the PTCB exam,” they mean the PTCE.