Which pharmacy tech exam is easier?

The NHA ExCPT is generally considered easier, especially for retail-focused techs, as it's more about technician roles and less intense on complex hospital-level calculations and drug mechanisms than the PTCB's PTCE, though the PTCE has a slightly higher pass rate and is the "gold standard" preferred by many employers, so "easier" depends on your focus and goals.

Which test is easier, PTCB or ExCPT?

As you weigh your options, keep in mind that both exams will require you to commit time to study, but neither test is unnecessarily challenging. 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.

Which pharmacy tech certification is best?

The PTCB's Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) is generally considered the "best" and most recognized certification, opening up the most opportunities, though the NHA's ExCPT is also widely accepted and respected; the best choice depends on employer preference and career goals, with PTCB often leading to more advanced roles, while both validate essential knowledge for patient safety. 

What is the difference between Ptce and ExCPT?

Different eligibility requirements:

If you opt to meet eligibility requirements using professional experience, consider how your experience relates to the criteria for each exam. While the PTCE exam requires 500 hours of work experience, the ExCPT requires 1,200 hours.

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%.

80 PTCB Practice Questions | Full Mock Exam | Pass the PTCE in 2025

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. 

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. 

What if I fail PtCE?

The PTCE is very reliable, so candidates who fail should expect to fail again unless they increase their knowledge through extra preparation. You will need to apply and pay the current exam fee for each PTCE attempt.

Is NHA easier than PTCB?

The NHA ExCPT is generally perceived as easier, focusing more on retail/practical duties and having a lower pass rate (around 63%), while the PTCB PTCE is considered harder and more comprehensive, covering broader hospital/clinical knowledge with a higher pass rate (around 70%), but is the industry gold standard, opening more doors, especially for hospital roles. Choose NHA for a potentially quicker entry into retail, but PTCB for wider recognition and career advancement. 

Do certified pharmacy techs get paid more?

Highest-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Pharmacy Technicians

Interestingly, the 10 top-paying locations in the U.S. are all in California except for one in Washington, according to the BLS. In fact, the Golden State is the highest paying in the country.

What type of pharmacy tech makes the most money?

The highest-paying pharmacy technician jobs involve specialized roles like Pharmacy Technician Informaticist, Program Director, or working in settings like hospitals and outpatient centers, with top earners potentially exceeding $70k-$100k+ by advancing into management or specific niches like compounding, with states like Alaska and California often paying more. Roles focusing on data, training, and complex clinical environments offer better compensation than typical retail. 

Which 3 month course is best?

The best 3-month courses focus on high-demand tech, business, and healthcare fields, with popular options including Digital Marketing, UI/UX Design, Data Analytics, Full Stack Development, Project Management, and IT Support, leading to quick career shifts or boosts. For hands-on roles, certifications in Medical Billing/Coding, HVAC Tech, or as a Phlebotomist/Dental Assistant offer fast entry into stable careers, while skills in areas like Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and HR Essentials provide strong foundational knowledge for future-proof jobs. 

What are the two pharmacy tech exams?

The quick answer to how to become a certified pharmacy technician is to earn your CPhT certification by passing one of the recognized exams. There are two organizations that offer recognized CPhT exams – the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

What does ExCPT stand for?

"ExCPT" stands for the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, a computer-based test administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) to certify individuals as pharmacy technicians, a widely recognized credential alongside the PTCB's PTCE, focusing on technician duties, laws, drug knowledge, and patient safety. 

How many questions to pass ExCPT?

Requirements to Pass the ExCPT Exam

The ExCPT exam has to be taken at a testing center, an NHA-affiliated school, or with a Live Remote Proctor. To pass the ExCPT exam, you must answer at least 80 of the 100 scored questions correctly.

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.
 

What if I fail the NHA exam?

If you didn't pass your NHA certification exam, you might be feeling discouraged. It happens, and the best thing you can do is prepare and try again. You can reapply to sit for the exam up to three times, with at least 30 days between each test.

Which pays more, pharmacy or nursing?

RN to Pharmacist: Salary

Salary-wise, RNs make an average of $98,430 per year, while the average pharmacist's salary is higher at $137,210 per year. However, your actual wage can vary based on factors like education, years of experience, the type of healthcare settings you are employed in, and geographic location.

How many questions do you need right to pass PTCB?

Scoring Methods

The PTCB is scored on a scale of 1,000 to 1,600. 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's the hardest year of pharmacy school?

The third year curriculum consists mainly of therapeutics classes. The main difference between therapeutics courses taken during P2 year and courses taken during P3 year is that P3 year's courses are much more difficult.

How many attempts do you get at the PTCB 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.

Does CVS or Walgreens pay pharmacy techs more?

Generally, pay between CVS and Walgreens for pharmacy technicians is very comparable, with slight variations depending on location, experience, and specific role (like Certified Tech or Lead Tech), but some data suggests CVS might offer slightly higher hourly rates for technicians, though both face criticism for low starting wages in retail. CVS Health showed higher average hourly pay for technicians in one comparison ($17.65 vs $16.60 at Walgreens), while Pharmacy Technician Guide showed slightly wider ranges for both, with CVS potentially higher overall ($24k-$44k vs $23k-$42k). 

What's higher than a pharmacy tech?

Pharmacists require significantly more education than pharmacy technicians. To become a pharmacist, you must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited school or university.

Is it worth becoming a certified pharmacy tech?

Working a pharmacy technician job gives you a good opportunity to work in healthcare without having to spend thousands of dollars or multiple years in school or training programs. Pharmacy technicians are well respected, earn a decent living, get great benefits, and enjoy excellent job security.