PTCE National exam

Try 10 realistic pharmacy technician questions aligned with the PTCE National exam.

Answer each question, then click “Check my score” at the bottom of the page. You’ll see your total score plus the correct answers for every item.

How this free practice exam works

This 10-question mini-exam is designed to mirror the style and cognitive level of the PTCE National exam, with a focus on pharmacy calculations, medication safety, order processing, inventory management, and pharmacy law basics.

Choose one answer for each multiple-choice question.
Click “Check my score” to see how you did.
Instant feedback shows which questions are correct or incorrect and reveals the right answers.

This practice content is for preparation only and is not endorsed or approved by PTCB, NABP, any state board of pharmacy, or testing provider. Always follow the most current PTCE content outline and your state’s pharmacy laws and guidance.

PTCE National exam (10 Questions)

Question 1

A prescription is written for amoxicillin 250 mg by mouth three times daily for 10 days. The pharmacy has 125 mg/5 mL suspension in stock. How many milliliters should be given per dose?

A. 5 mL B. 10 mL C. 7.5 mL D. 2.5 mL

Question 2

A prescriber wants the directions on a label to read “take one tablet by mouth twice daily.” Which SIG abbreviation is most appropriate for this instruction on the pharmacy label?

A. 1 tab po qd B. 1 tab po tid C. 1 tab po bid D. 1 tab po q4h prn

Question 3

A pharmacy technician is helping the pharmacist order Schedule II controlled substances from a wholesaler using a paper-based process instead of an approved electronic system. Which DEA form is typically used for this purpose?

A. DEA Form 41 B. DEA Form 106 C. DEA Form 224 D. DEA Form 222

Question 4

Which of the following medications must be stored in the refrigerator at 2–8 °C (36–46 °F) until dispensed, according to the manufacturer’s labeling?

A. Insulin glargine (unopened vials or pens) B. Levothyroxine tablets C. Lisinopril tablets D. Metoprolol tartrate tablets

Question 5

Under HIPAA, which action is an appropriate way for a pharmacy technician to protect a patient’s privacy?

A. Discussing a patient’s new prescription with a friend who is waiting in the lobby B. Calling the prescriber’s office to clarify directions while the patient waits C. Leaving a detailed message about medications on a public voicemail D. Printing a list of all patients with controlled substance prescriptions and posting it in the workroom

Question 6

A pharmacy technician receives a rejected insurance claim with a message indicating “refill too soon.” Which action is the most appropriate next step?

A. Override the claim and dispense the medication without contacting anyone B. Change the days’ supply on the claim until it goes through C. Inform the pharmacist and explain the situation to the patient, including when the refill will be covered D. Discard the prescription and ask the patient to obtain a new one from the prescriber

Question 7

A pharmacy technician is counting tablets for a prescription and notices that the tablets in the stock bottle look different from those in the counting tray for the same drug and strength from a previous fill. What should the technician do first?

A. Stop filling, check the stock bottle’s National Drug Code (NDC), and notify the pharmacist B. Continue filling because manufacturers often change tablet appearance C. Mix the remaining tablets together in one bottle to save space D. Dispense the medication and make a note to check it later

Question 8

When counting tablets from a stock bottle using a counting tray, which technique best helps maintain drug integrity and prevent cross-contamination?

A. Returning extra tablets to the stock bottle by pouring them directly from the tray into the bottle opening B. Using bare hands to separate tablets and count them precisely C. Reusing the same tray without cleaning when switching between different medications D. Using a spatula to move tablets and cleaning the tray between different medications as needed

Question 9

A liquid antibiotic for a child is reconstituted in the pharmacy. The manufacturer’s labeling states “store in refrigerator after reconstitution” and “discard after 10 days.” What beyond-use date should be placed on the prescription label if the medication is prepared on March 1?

A. March 8 B. March 11 C. March 10 D. March 15

Question 10

A patient brings a prescription written for Lipitor 20 mg once daily. The prescriber has not indicated “brand medically necessary.” The pharmacy’s formulary uses generic substitution whenever appropriate. What is the best action for the pharmacy technician?

A. Dispense Lipitor brand name only because that is what is written B. Change the dose to 10 mg and use the generic product C. Prepare the prescription using atorvastatin 20 mg and alert the pharmacist for final verification D. Refuse to fill the prescription until the prescriber rewrites it as a generic