PassPulse Pharmacy TechnicianPrepare for the PTCE

How to become a certified pharmacy technician

Check your state board of pharmacy, qualify through a recognized training program or work experience (500 hours for the PTCE, 1,200 hours for the ExCPT), then pass one of the two national exams to earn the CPhT. BLS lists a high school diploma as the typical entry education.

Updated October 2026
$45,750
Median pharmacy tech payBLS, May 2025
471,200jobs
+6%growth 2025–35
HS diplomaentry education

The steps

  1. Check your state. Many boards require registration, licensure or certification.
  2. Qualify. PTCE: a PTCB-recognized program, or 500 hours of work experience. ExCPT: a training program within 5 years, or 1 year with 1,200 supervised hours in the last 3 years.
  3. Choose the exam. PTCE ($129, in person only) or ExCPT (online proctoring available).
  4. Pass it. PTCE needs 1,400 on 1,000 to 1,600; ExCPT needs 390 on 200 to 500.
  5. Renew every 2 years with 20 CE hours, including 1 hour of pharmacy law and 1 of patient safety.

PTCE or ExCPT

PTCE (PTCB)ExCPT (NHA)
Questions90 (80 scored)120 (100 scored)
Time2 hours total appointment2 hours 10 minutes
Passing score1,400 on 1,000–1,600390 on 200–500
Fee$129Listed in the NHA store
Pass rate69% (2025)62.22% (2024)
Work experience route500 hours1,200 hours within 1 year, in the last 3
Online proctoringNo, Pearson VUE centers onlyYes, live remote proctoring
Retakes60 day wait for attempts 2 and 3, then 6 months, no limit30 day wait, 3 attempts, then 1 year
RenewalEvery 2 years, 20 CE hours, $55Every 2 years, 20 CE hours, $55

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Passing the exam

Neither exam is a formality: 69% of PTCEs were passed in 2025 and 62.22% of ExCPTs in 2024. See is the PTCB exam hard.

PTCE FAQ

How long does it take to become a pharmacy technician?

It depends on your route. The PTCE work route needs 500 hours of experience; the ExCPT work route needs 1,200 hours within a year.

Do you need a degree to be a pharmacy technician?

No. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education.

Can you take the pharmacy tech exam online?

The ExCPT offers live remote proctoring. The PTCE is in person only at Pearson VUE centers.

Free PTCB practice questions

More PTCE guides

Sources
  1. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacy Technicians
  2. PTCB: Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
  3. PTCB Guidebook: Maintaining PTCB certifications
  4. NHA: Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
  5. NHA: CPhT renewal
  6. PTCB: Credentials by the numbers
  7. NHA annual pass rates 2024
  8. NABP: Task force report on pharmacy technician entry-level requirements

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PassPulse is an independent exam preparation tool. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Exam, credential and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the exams and materials described.

This page is for general information only. It is not official guidance from any certifying body, state agency or employer, and it is not legal, medical, career or financial advice. The information on this page may contain errors or omissions, or may be out of date: fees, policies, exam content and state rules change. Practice questions, answers and explanations on PassPulse may also contain errors. Always confirm current requirements and facts directly with the certifying body, your state, your employer or the manufacturer's instructions before you register, apply or act on them. Pass rates and statistics describe past candidates and do not predict your result.
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