ExCPT Practice Test
The ExCPT is the National Healthcareer Association’s pharmacy technician certification exam. It covers much of the same ground as the PTCE, with more weight on the dispensing process. Use these questions to practice drugs, law, safety and calculations for either exam.
90 questions in 1 hour 50 minutes on medications, law, safety and order entry, with a score report by domain and a worked explanation for every answer.
Or try the free medications drillA patient's 30-day supply of a blood pressure medication has been refilled about every 60 days for the past year. What does this most likely indicate?
ExCPT vs PTCB exam
| Detail | ExCPT (NHA) | PTCE (PTCB) |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | National Healthcareer Association (NHA) | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) |
| Questions | 120 (100 scored, 20 pretest) | 90 (80 scored, 10 unscored) |
| Time | 2 hours 10 minutes | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Passing score | 390 (maximum 500) | 1,400 (scale 1,000–1,600) |
| Biggest area | Dispensing process, 43 of 100 items | Medications, 35% |
What the ExCPT covers
- Role, responsibilities and general duties
- 15 items: technician vs pharmacist tasks, security, medication reconciliation, terminology.
- Laws
- 15 items: laws and regulations (9) and controlled substances (6).
- Drugs and drug therapy
- 13 items: drug classification (8) and frequently prescribed medications (5).
- Dispensing process
- 43 items: intake and entry (13), preparing and dispensing (13), calculations (7), compounding, unit dose and repackaging (10).
- Medication and patient safety and quality assurance
- 14 items.
Practice under the real time limit
90 questions in 1 hour 50 minutes on medications, law, safety and order entry, with a score report by domain and a worked explanation for every answer.
Or try the free medications drillCommon questions
How many questions are on the ExCPT?
120: 100 scored and 20 unscored pretest items, in 2 hours 10 minutes.
What score do I need to pass the ExCPT?
NHA exams are scored up to 500, and the minimum passing score is 390.
Should I take the ExCPT or the PTCB exam?
Check what your state board of pharmacy and your employer accept. The PTCE (PTCB) and ExCPT (NHA) both lead to a CPhT credential and cover similar content; the ExCPT weights the dispensing process most, while the PTCE weights medications most.
90 questions in 1 hour 50 minutes on medications, law, safety and order entry, with a score report by domain and a worked explanation for every answer.
Or try the free medications drillMore PTCB practice
Sources
Original independent practice written to PTCB’s content outline from FDA labels, federal regulations and ISMP guidance. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).