Question 1
A patient's profile lists a penicillin allergy. Which new prescription must the technician flag for the pharmacist because it is a penicillin?
PTCB vs ExCPT: what is the difference?
The PTCB exam (the PTCE) and the ExCPT are separate pharmacy technician certification exams, run by different organizations. This page sets out what PTCB publishes about its own exam; the ExCPT's owner publishes its details.
| PTCB exam | 90 questions in 1 hour 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| PTCB fee | $129 |
| PTCB credential | CPhT, renewed every 2 years |
| Accepted | All 50 states, DC, Guam and Puerto Rico (PTCB) |
Start with your state
Rules on certification, registration and licensure vary by state and change over time. Some states have no requirement for technicians to register; others require training, experience and national certification. Check with the state board of pharmacy where you plan to work, and ask your employer which certification it wants.
What PTCB says about its certification
PTCB says its certification is accepted by regulatory bodies and employers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. The exam covers four domains:
- Medications: 35%
- Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: 23.75%
- Order Entry and Processing: 22.5%
- Federal Requirements: 18.75%
If you choose the PTCB exam
Practice the domains in their real proportions. Medications is the largest at 35%, so drug names, classes and interactions repay the most study time.
Try 3 questions
Question 2
Which task may a pharmacy technician handle without needing the pharmacist's judgment?
Question 3
A prescription for eye drops reads: ii gtt ou bid. Which label direction is correct?
Next step
Questions people ask
Is the ExCPT the same as the PTCB exam?
No. They are separate exams from different certifying organizations.
Which one does my state accept?
It depends on the state. Check with your state board of pharmacy and your employer; PTCB keeps a state regulations map.
Where is PTCB certification accepted?
PTCB says by regulatory bodies and employers in all 50 states, DC, Guam and Puerto Rico.