Which pharmacy tech test is easier?

The NHA ExCPT is generally considered easier, especially for retail-focused techs, while the PTCB (PTCE) is more comprehensive, difficult, and the industry "gold standard", preferred by hospitals and offering more advanced certifications, with slightly higher pass rates for the PTCE in recent years despite its complexity. The ExCPT focuses more on technician roles and retail, while the PTCE delves deeper into medication knowledge, calculations, and critical thinking, making it harder for some but better for career growth.

What's 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.

What are the different pharmacy tech tests?

There are two exams nationwide that can make you a CPhT. There is the ExCPT (exam for the certification of pharmacy technicians) through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and PTCE (pharmacy technician certification exam) through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

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%.

What's the difference between PTCB and PtCE?

The key difference is that PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) is the organization, while PTCE (Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam) is the exam they administer to help technicians earn the CPhT credential, meaning you take the PTCE through the PTCB to become a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT). Essentially, PTCB is the governing body that sets standards, and the PTCE is the test that proves competency for that certification. 

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Q&A | HOW MUCH I MAKE?

Which one is harder, 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. 

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%).

Who gets paid more, CNA or pharmacy tech?

Generally, Pharmacy Technicians (Pharm Techs) earn slightly more than Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), with Pharm Techs averaging around $35k-$40k+ and CNAs around $26k-$45k+, but salaries vary significantly by state, experience, and setting (hospitals often pay more). Pharm Techs focus on dispensing medications and work in pharmacies, while CNAs provide direct patient care (bathing, feeding) in homes or facilities, making Pharm Tech roles potentially more lucrative and offer a different career path.
 

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.

Which exam is best for pharmacy?

GPAT (Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test):

Organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA), GPAT is the most recognized national-level entrance exam for admission to Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm) programs in AICTE-approved institutions.

What happens if you fail the pharmacy tech exam?

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.

Are CPhT and PTCB the same?

CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician) is the credential you earn, while PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) is a major organization that offers the most recognized exam (PTCE) to achieve that CPhT credential. Think of PTCB as the provider of the test and CPhT as the designation you get after passing, though other bodies like the NHA also offer pathways to the CPhT credential. 

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. 

What score do I need to pass ExCPT?

The ExCPT uses a scaled scoring system that ranges from 200 to 500, with official passing scores set at 390 or higher.

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.

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). 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Which 3 month course is best?

The best 3-month courses focus on high-demand tech, healthcare, and business skills, with top options including IT Support (Microsoft/Google), Data Analytics (Google/IBM), Project Management (Google), Medical Billing & Coding, and UX Design, often leading to quick entry into well-paying roles like IT Specialist, Bookkeeper, or Analyst with average salaries from $60k-$90k+. Other strong choices are Digital Marketing, Cybersecurity fundamentals, and specialized areas like Front-End Web Development (Meta), providing practical skills for fast career growth. 

What is the strongest skill as a pharmacy technician?

Pharmacy technicians need to have strong attention to detail and possess excellent communication skills. They also need to be able to work efficiently under pressure and manage their time effectively, especially during busy periods.

What other jobs can I get as a pharmacy technician?

As a pharmacy technician, you can branch into specialized roles like compounding, informatics, research (drug safety), or veterinary pharmacy, or move to different settings like hospitals, long-term care, or mail-order pharmacies, with opportunities for remote work in areas like insurance/claims processing, sales, or patient access coordinator roles, leveraging your medication knowledge into fields like medical assisting, dental assisting, or even pharmaceutical sales.