PTCB vs ExCPT: which pharmacy tech exam to take
By the Steady Ground team ·
In some states, pharmacy technicians must pass a national exam. There are two big ones. So the first question many people ask is: PTCB vs ExCPT, which should I take? The short answer is the one your state and your boss accept. Here's how they compare.
Meet the two exams
- PTCE is run by PTCB, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Pass it, and you're a CPhT.
- ExCPT is run by NHA, the National Healthcareer Association. Pass it, and you're also a CPhT.
Both are national exams from groups that pharmacy boards recognize. Both cover the math you'll use to work out doses. So brush up on your math either way.
PTCB vs ExCPT, side by side
Number of questions
The PTCB exam has 90 questions and takes about 2 hours. The ExCPT has 100 questions.
Who can take it
This is the biggest difference. To sit for the PTCB exam, you need one of these:
- A recognized training program, or
- 500 hours of work experience.
To sit for the ExCPT, you need:
- A training program, or
- 1,200 hours of supervised work.
So if you learn on the job instead of in school, you can reach the PTCB exam much sooner. 500 hours is a lot less than 1,200.
Cost
The PTCB exam costs $129. You pay again each time you retake it. PTCB also sells official practice tests for $29 to $65. These are optional.
Pass rates
NHA says about 63% of people who took the ExCPT passed in 2025. That means more than 1 in 3 didn't. Whichever exam you choose, study properly.
Which one does your state accept?
This is the question that really decides it. Rules change a lot from state to state.
Texas accepts either exam. PTCB says regulators in all 50 states accept its credential. But your state may also have other rules, like a training program, a minimum age or a state license. Look up your state board of pharmacy before you pay for anything.
Keeping your certification
PTCB certification renews every 2 years for $55. Your state may want classes too. Texas asks for 20 hours every 2 years. Put the dates in your calendar now so you don't forget.
Do you need school first?
Not always. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says many pharmacy technicians train on the job. Some states require an approved program, though. Florida, for example, wants a program of at least 160 hours.
So before you pay for school, call a few chain, grocery and hospital pharmacies. Ask if they'll train you. If they will, the 500-hour route to the PTCB exam could save you the cost of tuition.
What the job pays
The median pay for pharmacy technicians is $45,750 a year, or about $22 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,020 or less. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects about 44,700 openings a year.
For every step in order, read our pharmacy technician guide. Want a healthcare job with a bigger paycheck later? See what it takes to become a registered nurse. Or take the career quiz.
Quick answers
Is the PTCB or ExCPT easier?
Neither is officially easier. The bigger difference is who can take them. Without a program, PTCB asks for 500 hours of work experience. ExCPT asks for 1,200 supervised hours.
Do all states accept the PTCB exam?
PTCB says regulators in all 50 states accept its credential. Your state may still have other rules, so check your board of pharmacy.
How much does the PTCB exam cost?
$129, and you pay again for each retake.
Where these facts come from
We checked these sources when we wrote this post. Rules and fees change, so check them before you pay for anything.
- PTCB: certified pharmacy technician (opens in a new tab)
- NHA: pharmacy technician certification (opens in a new tab)
- PTCB: state regulations and map (opens in a new tab)
- Texas State Board of Pharmacy: technician applicants (opens in a new tab)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: pharmacy technicians (opens in a new tab)