ExCPT FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about the ExCPT.
What is the ExCPT?
The ExCPT, or Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians, is used to assess a candidate's knowledge of pharmacy practice. This exam is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is one of two possible exams that can be taken to satisfy the requirements for becoming a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) in the United States (the other being the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)).
What can you do with a pharmacy technician certification?
A pharmacy technician certification enables you to work behind the counter at a pharmacy or in another medical setting, lawfully managing and dispensing medications. Pharmacy technicians play a crucial role in supporting pharmacists and are in high demand across various healthcare environments, including clinics, hospitals, and retail pharmacies such as Walgreens or CVS. A certification can help you break into the pharmacy field and increase your earning potential.
What is the difference between the PTCE and ExCPT?
Both exams lead to the same Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential and are accepted nationally, but they are set by two distinct organizations and test to different blueprints: the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers the ExCPT, and the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) offers the PTCE.
The ExCPT scores 100 of the 120 questions you see, spread across five domains; the PTCE scores 80 of its 90, across four. The ExCPT's outline also covers ground the PTCE's does not, including compounding, unit dose, and repackaging. Fees and eligibility requirements differ too. PTCB offers add-on pharmacy technician credentials such as immunization administration, sterile compounding, and an advanced CPhT, which the NHA does not award directly, though NHA CPhT holders can add certifications through third-party organizations.
Neither certifying body limits its credential to a particular practice setting, so check what your state board of pharmacy and your employer require before you choose. For more information, see our blog post on the differences between the PTCE and ExCPT.
How often is the ExCPT offered?
The ExCPT is offered both remotely and in-person throughout the year. However, exam date availability may vary depending on your nearest PSI testing center.
How many times can I retake the ExCPT?
You can keep retaking the ExCPT until you pass, but the National Healthcareer Association controls the pace. You must wait at least 30 days between attempts, and you get three attempts on that cadence — after a third failure, every further retake requires a one-year wait. Each attempt means re-registering and paying the full exam fee again.
What is the ExCPT pass rate?
The ExCPT pass rate was 63% in 2025, and has held between 62% and 64% over the past four years. NHA publishes the pass rate rather than the number of candidates who passed, so the counts below are derived from its published rate for each year.
| Year | Exams Administered | Exams Passed | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 13,390 | 8,590 | 64% |
| 2023 | 15,609 | 9,880 | 63% |
| 2024 | 16,519 | 10,278 | 62% |
| 2025 | 22,441 | 14,082 | 63% |