Pharmacy Technician Practice Test 2026
Free Pharmacy Technician written-exam practice modeled on the PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). Covers medications (names, classes, dosing, interactions, storage), federal requirements and DEA controlled substances, patient safety and quality assurance, pharmacy calculations, and order entry and processing. The real PTCE is given in English; Chinese and Spanish here are study aids. Practice every question free, then sit a 90-question mock scored to the real 70% pass line.
π― Practice by Topic
Drug Names, Classes & Indications
PTCE Domain 1 (part) β generic and brand names, drug classifications and what each class treats, indications of common medications, and therapeutic duplications.
Dosing, Interactions, Side Effects, Storage & Stability
PTCE Domain 1 (part) β strengths, doses, dosage forms and routes of administration; drug interactions and contraindications; side/adverse effects and allergies; drug stability; and proper storage (temperature, light, restricted access).
Federal Requirements & DEA Controlled Substances
PTCE Domain 2 (18.75%) β federal storage/handling/disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances; DEA controlled-substance schedules (C-I to C-V), prescriptions, refills, ordering (DEA Form 222/CSOS), loss/theft and destruction; restricted-drug programs (pseudoephedrine, REMS); FDA recalls; and DSCSA serialization/tracing.
Patient Safety & Quality Assurance
PTCE Domain 3 (23.75%) β high-alert and look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medications; error-prevention strategies (Tall Man lettering, leading zeros / no trailing zeros, bar codes, avoiding error-prone abbreviations); issues requiring pharmacist intervention (DUR, ADE); event reporting (MedWatch, VAERS, RCA); types of prescription errors; and infection prevention.
Pharmacy Calculations & Sig Codes
PTCE Domain 4 (part) β pharmacy calculations: ratios and proportions, percentage strength, dilution (C1V1 = C2V2), alligation, days supply, weight-based (mg/kg) dosing, IV flow rate, and unit conversions; plus Sig codes, Roman numerals, and common pharmacy abbreviations. Each calculation is shown step by step.
Order Entry, Equipment, NDC & Inventory
PTCE Domain 4 (part) β equipment and supplies for drug administration; lot numbers, expiration/beyond-use dates, and National Drug Code (NDC) numbers; and procedures for identifying and returning dispensable, non-dispensable, and expired medications (return to stock, reverse distribution).
π What to Bring
- β
A valid government photo ID (name matches your registration)
- β
Your PTCB / PTCE scheduling confirmation
- β
Proof of eligibility (completed PTCB-recognized education/training program)
PTCB requires completing a recognized education/training program (or equivalent work experience) to be eligible.
π How to Schedule
- 1
Meet PTCB eligibility & apply
Complete a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician education/training program, then apply for the CPhT through your PTCB account.
- 2
Schedule the PTCE at a Pearson VUE center
Once approved, schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE test center or via online proctoring; pay the exam fee.
- 3
Take the exam (English)
The PTCE is 90 questions in about 1 hour 50 minutes, delivered in English; you receive a scaled score (1400 to pass).
π‘ Test Day Tips
- β’Medications (35%) is the biggest domain β know common brandβgeneric pairs (e.g. atorvastatin=Lipitor), drug classes by suffix (-pril, -sartan, -olol, -statin, -prazole), and their indications. Learn the classic drug interactions (warfarin + NSAIDs, grapefruit + statins/CCBs).
- β’Master the pharmacy calculations (ratio/proportion, percentage strength, dilution, alligation, days supply, mg/kg, IV rate) and Sig codes (bid/tid/qid, PRN, PO, gtt, Roman numerals). Know the DEA schedules C-I to C-V and refill rules (C-II = no refills; C-IIIβC-IV = up to 5 refills within 6 months).
- β’π΄ The PTCE is given in ENGLISH only. Use the Chinese/Spanish explanations here to learn the concepts, then master the key English drug names and terms so you can read the exam confidently.
π Study Handbook
All practice questions are based on the sections below. Click any to read the official source.
π Official Resources
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) β
Administers the CPhT credential and the PTCE β eligibility, application, the content outline, and recertification. The exam is offered in English.
Pearson VUE β PTCB test centers β
Delivers the PTCE at test centers and via online proctoring.
Check your state pharmacy technician requirements β
Registration/licensure requirements vary by state board of pharmacy β many require or recognize the PTCB CPhT.
β Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Pharmacy Technician test, and how many do I need to pass?
The Pharmacy Technician knowledge test has 90 questions. You must answer 63 correctly (70%) to pass.
How many questions can you miss on the Pharmacy Technician test?
You can miss up to 27 of the 90 questions and still pass.
What should I bring to the Pharmacy Technician test?
A valid government photo ID (name matches your registration) Your PTCB / PTCE scheduling confirmation Proof of eligibility (completed PTCB-recognized education/training program) β PTCB requires completing a recognized education/training program (or equivalent work experience) to be eligible.
How do I schedule and take the Pharmacy Technician test?
1. Meet PTCB eligibility & apply: Complete a PTCB-recognized pharmacy technician education/training program, then apply for the CPhT through your PTCB account. 2. Schedule the PTCE at a Pearson VUE center: Once approved, schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE test center or via online proctoring; pay the exam fee. 3. Take the exam (English): The PTCE is 90 questions in about 1 hour 50 minutes, delivered in English; you receive a scaled score (1400 to pass).