What is the passing rate for the pharmacy technician exam?

The passing rate for the main pharmacy technician exam (PTCB's PTCE) hovers around 70%, with specific years showing rates like 70% in 2024 and 2022, and 75% in 2023, while the NHA's ExCPT generally has a slightly lower rate, around 62-64% in recent years, though these figures can fluctuate by year and program. A passing score on the PTCB exam requires a scaled score of 1400 or higher, out of a possible 1000-1600, from 80 scored questions.

What percent do you need to pass the pharmacy technician exam?

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA). For the PTCB examination, a passing score of 1,400 is required, with the range of possible scores on the exam being between 1,000 and 1,600. While the NHA range is 200 to 500 with a passing score of 390.

How hard is a pharmacy tech test?

The score for the exam ranges between 1,000 and 1,600. To pass this credentialing examination, you need to attain a scaled score of 1,400 or above. While this may seem challenging at first glance, the pharmacy technician final exam actually has an average pass rate of approximately 71%.

How many people pass the PTCB first try?

Around 70-71% of people pass the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) on their first attempt, with about 7 out of 10 test-takers succeeding initially, though rates can fluctuate slightly year to year, notes. This means roughly 30% need a second or subsequent attempt, highlighting it's a challenging exam but achievable with good preparation, often involving experience and focused study using resources like apps or practice tests. 

How many questions can I get wrong on the PTCB?

To pass, you need a minimum score of 1,400. Because of the way the PTCB scores the exam, you will not know how many questions you have to get right to earn this score. Remember that only 80 of the 90 questions will count toward your test result.

What Is The Passing Score For Pharmacy Technician Exam? - CountyOffice.org

What is a good PTCB score?

Only 80 questions are scored in each test. A passing score is 1400 or higher. Scores range from 1000 to 1600.

Do you need to know top 200 drugs for PTCB?

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) strongly recommends mastering top brand and generic drug names, as detailed in the table below. Knowing drug names, classifications, and their uses is essential knowledge for the PTCE exam and in daily pharmacy practice.

What is the hardest part of the PTCB?

Factors that make the exam challenging:

• Wide range of topics - from law to math to pharmacy operations.
• Medication calculations - some questions require multi-step math.
• High emphasis on accuracy - small mistakes can change a correct answer.
• Questions framed in real-world scenarios, which can be harder than simple recall.

How to pass PTCB first try?

Create a structured study schedule using multiple resources like practice exams, flashcards, and official PTCB tools to reinforce knowledge retention. Focus study efforts on the four exam domains proportionally: Medications (40%), Patient Safety (26.25%), Order Entry (21.25%), and Federal Requirements (12.5%).

What is the pass rate for the PTCE in 2025?

In 2024, the PTCB and RxTechExam bundled our training, Official Practice Tools and Certification Exam (PTCE) to simplify training and certification. Through that collaboration, RxTechExam students have had stellar results – an 83% PTCE pass rate in 2025.

Who gets paid more, CNA or pharmacy tech?

Pharmacy technicians generally earn slightly more than CNAs, with median salaries around $43,000-$44,000 compared to CNA averages, which can range from $38,000-$45,000 but often start lower, though earnings vary significantly by location, experience, and employer, with CNAs potentially increasing pay through overtime. Both roles offer similar entry points, but pharmacy techs often see better pay in hospital or outpatient settings, while CNAs provide direct patient care in homes or facilities, with both roles serving as stepping stones in healthcare. 

Which pharmacy tech exam is easier?

The PTCE has a slightly higher pass rate than the ExCPT. Pass rates in 2023 were 63% for the ExCPT and 69% for the PTCE. The PTCE also has fewer test questions but has a shorter time limit. Both exams are scored similarly, with each question scored differently based on topic and difficulty.

What is the hardest part of being a pharmacy technician?

The hardest parts of being a pharmacy technician include managing high stress from multitasking, balancing speed with critical accuracy, dealing with difficult customers and insurance issues, and handling the physical demands of standing for long periods while facing potential understaffing and burnout, all while mastering complex drug knowledge and regulations.
 

How many times can I take the pharmacy tech exam?

Retake Policy

Candidates who fail a PTCB credential exam must wait to receive their official score report before reapplying. Candidates have an unlimited number of exam attempts, although candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare for each attempt.

What is the 5 percent rule in pharmacy?

The "5 rule" in pharmacy usually refers to either the "Five Rights of Medication Administration" (Right Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time) for patient safety or Lipinski's Rule of Five for drug development, predicting oral activity, though it can also refer to the DEA's "5% Rule" for dispensing controlled substances without a distributor license. These rules are critical for ensuring safe patient care, developing new medicines, and maintaining compliance with drug regulations. 

Can you use a calculator on the PTCB exam?

A calculator is built into the PTCB exam. A personal calculator may not be used under any circumstance. However, if a candidate requests a hand-held calculator and one is available at the test center, the candidate is permitted to use it upon request.

How to get 100% in every test?

To get 100% on every test, you need active learning, consistent habits, and error analysis, focusing on understanding concepts deeply (not just memorizing), practicing with mock tests to mimic exam conditions, using techniques like active recall and spaced repetition, and analyzing past mistakes to prevent repeats, ensuring you know the material so well you can perform without notes. It requires discipline and strategic effort, focusing on how you learn as much as what you learn, while also managing your body and mind with rest and nutrition. 

How to be a top 1% student?

To be a top 1% student, combine active, strategic learning (like active recall, spaced repetition, using external resources) with strong habits (consistent attendance, participation, managing health/time) and a growth mindset (believing in your ability to improve, seeing challenges as opportunities). It's about consistent, deliberate effort beyond basic requirements, focusing on deep understanding, and leveraging systems for efficient learning. 

How long should I study for PTCB?

We've had some students complete our course in as little as a week and go on to pass the certification exam. That's not the norm though. Most students complete their studies with our course, earning their certification in 6-8 weeks. That's studying a few hours a day, a few days a week.

Is pharmacy tech a lot of math?

There are many math concepts that are used in this career role such as addition and subtraction, fractions, determining percentages, weights, and even measurements. It is vital that you are skilled in math computation and have a strong background in math to ensure patients are receiving the correct dosage of medicine.

Can you use notes during the PTCB exam?

The PTCB exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions, including 10 unscored questions. Students have 2 hours to complete the CPhT exam including the test tutorial and practice questions that are provided. Students are not allowed to bring notes, scratch paper, or a calculator into the testing center.

What is the hardest certification exam to pass?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the United States

• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) ...
• Uniform Bar Examination/ California Bar. ...
• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Exam. ...
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) Exam. ...
• NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) ...
• GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

What is red flagged at pharmacy?

When a pharmacy "red flags" you, it means a pharmacist noticed suspicious signs (red flags) about your prescription, especially for controlled substances, suggesting potential abuse, diversion (selling/sharing), or fraud, triggering the pharmacist to investigate and potentially refuse to fill it until concerns are resolved. These flags are signs of possible patient harm or illegitimate prescriptions and require the pharmacist to use professional judgment, document their findings, and ensure legitimacy before dispensing. 

How to memorize drugs for pharmacy tech?

How to memorize the Top 200 (step‑by‑step)

1. Group by class. Learn common effects and uses once; apply to all members.
2. Learn the suffix patterns. ...
3. Drill brand and generic names daily. ...
4. Attach one primary use + one red‑flag effect to each drug as you go.
5. Spiral review.

What are the 4 P's of pharmacy?

The 4 Ps of pharmacy marketing are the foundational marketing mix: Product (medicines, services like immunizations), Price (cost, insurance, value), Place (physical store, online, delivery), and Promotion (advertising, education, community outreach). These elements help pharmacies strategically offer the right mix of goods and services, at the right cost, in accessible locations, and communicate their value to patients for better health outcomes and business success.