How many questions are on the PTCB exam?
90 multiple-choice questions, of which 80 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest questions. You won't know which are unscored, so answer all 90 seriously.
Exam Facts
How Hard Is the PTCE? Questions, Passing Score & Pass Rate
By the RxReflex Content Team · Last reviewed July 23, 2026
The PTCE is 90 multiple-choice questions (80 scored + 10 unscored) in 110 minutes, scored on a scaled range of 1,000–1,600 with a passing score of 1,400. The exam fee is $129. In 2025, the pass rate was 69% — roughly 3 in 10 candidates fail, usually on pharmacy math or the law-heavy domains.
How many questions are on the PTCE?
90 questions total — but only 80 count. The other 10 are unscored “pretest” questions PTCB is evaluating for future exams, and they're scattered randomly through the exam. You can't tell which is which, so treat every question as if it counts.
All 90 are multiple-choice with four options. There are no hot-spot, drag-and-drop, or fill-in questions on the PTCE — if a practice resource shows other formats, it's not simulating this exam.
What score do I need to pass the PTCE?
1,400, on a scaled range of 1,000–1,600. There's deliberately no fixed “number correct” or percentage — PTCB scales each exam form so a slightly harder form needs slightly fewer raw correct answers. As a rough planning target, aim to consistently score 80%+ on full-length practice runs; candidates passing comfortably at that level is the common experience.
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Exam tip
Don't chase the “how many can I miss?” number — it varies by exam form. Chase a stable practice percentage instead; it's the only signal you can actually control.
How long is the PTCE?
110 minutes for the exam itself — that's just over 70 seconds per question. The full appointment runs about 2 hours, including a short tutorial and a post-exam survey. You can flag questions and return to them until time expires.
- arrow_rightPace check: at question 45 you should have ~55+ minutes left.
- arrow_rightAnswer everything — there's no penalty for guessing on the PTCE.
- arrow_rightMath questions eat time; if a calculation stalls, flag it, move on, and come back.
What is the PTCE pass rate?
In 2025, PTCB administered about 49,000 exams with a pass rate of 69% — so roughly 3 in 10 attempts fail. The pass rate has hovered near 70% for years. The most common self-reported struggle areas are pharmacy math and the law-heavy material — which matters more than ever now that Federal Requirements grew to 18.75% of the 2026 exam.
If it doesn't go your way, it's recoverable: you can retake after a 30-day wait — see the 30-day comeback plan.
How much does the PTCE cost, and how long should I study?
The exam fee is $129 per attempt, paid to PTCB when you apply. Most candidates prepare for 4–12 weeks — closer to 4–6 if you already work in a pharmacy, closer to 8–12 if you're starting from scratch. Consistent short daily sessions beat weekend cramming: 20–30 focused minutes a day for six weeks outperforms two panicked weekends, because spaced repetition is how drug names actually stick.
PTCE exam facts — FAQ
What score do you need to pass the PTCE?
1,400 on a scaled range of 1,000 to 1,600. There is no fixed percentage — scoring is scaled per exam form.
How long is the PTCE?
110 minutes of exam time, inside an appointment of about 2 hours including the tutorial and survey.
What is the PTCE pass rate?
About 69% in 2025 (roughly 49,000 exams administered). Around 3 in 10 attempts fail, most commonly on pharmacy math and law topics.
How much does the PTCB exam cost?
$129 per attempt. If you need to retake, you pay the fee again for each attempt.
Is the PTCE all multiple choice?
Yes — every question is multiple-choice with four options. There are no drag-and-drop or hot-spot questions.
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Last reviewed July 23, 2026 by the RxReflex Content Team. Educational use only — not medical advice. Exam policies and fees are set by PTCB — always confirm details at ptcb.org. Verify clinical specifics with your pharmacist or a current label source such as DailyMed. RxReflex is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).