Candidates must apply and pay for each PTCB credential exam attempt. Candidates who fail a PTCB credential exam must wait to receive their official score report before reapplying. Candidates have an unlimited number of exam attempts, although candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare for each attempt. PTCB exams are highly reliable, which means that candidates who fail the exam should expect to fail again unless they increase their knowledge of the exam content through additional preparation.
Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam® (PTCE®)
There is no retake wait period for the second and third exam attempts, but candidates must wait six (6) months for the fourth exam attempt. After four attempts, candidates must provide completion evidence to PTCB of acceptable preparation activities for review and approval before applying for additional attempts. Preparation activities completed prior to the most recent attempt will not be considered. Acceptable preparation activities for the PTCE® include any of the following:
- Six months or more of tutoring by a pharmacist or PTCB CPhT (PTCE Preparation Attestation Form required)
- Completion of a formal review course or non-accredited training program
- Completion of an ASHP/ACPE-accredited training program
- Graduation from a pharmacy technician associate degree (A.S.) program
Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician® (CSPT®) Exam
Candidates are limited to two exam attempts per 12-month candidacy window, and there is no retake wait period between attempts. If a candidate fails the CSPT exam twice within the candidacy window, they must wait until the end of the candidacy window, regardless of how much time remains in the window, to reapply. A new CSPT Competency Attestation Form is required for each 12-month candidacy window.
Certified Pharmacy Technician Educator™ (CPTEd™) Exams
There is no retake limit or wait period for either the multiple-choice or written exams. If a candidate fails to pass both within the 12-month candidacy window, they may reapply.
Assessment-Based Certificate Programs
Assessment-Based Certificate Programs do not require a waiting period between exam attempts.
Retake Policy v1.2 - March 2025