The Top 5 PTCB Exam Study Guides

This article has been updated for 2024! Please click here: Top 5 PTCB Study Guides for 2024

After completing an accredited pharmacy technician training program, the next critical step is to obtain your Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential. We’ve compiled a list of the best 5 PTCB exam study guides to help you pass the exam and earn your CPhT.

This highly-regarded credential is required in the vast majority of states, and it also provides pharmacy technicians with more job opportunities and higher earning potential. The CPhT designation is required in many states for employment as a pharmacy technician.

Before becoming a certified pharmacy technician, certain requirements must be met. Taking and passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) is one of these important requirements.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is in charge of administering the PTCE, which is recognized in all 50 states. The PTCB develops national standards for pharmacy technicians to improve medication safety and patient care.

The PTCE is a nationally recognized pharmacy technician certification exam and over 283,000 CPhTs are currently active.

To be eligible for the PTCB certification, you must not only pass the exam but also meet certain requirements. Per the PTCE you must:

• Have a high school diploma or the equivalent (usually a GED or diploma from a foreign country)
• Fully disclose any criminal and license actions or registrations brought against you by the State Board of Pharmacy.
• Comply with applicable policies for the PTCB Certification

Following the completion of your pharmacy tech program and meeting the requirements of your state board of pharmacy, the next step is to prepare for and pass the PTCE.

Preparing with reputable, well-respected study guides can mean the difference between passing and failing your exam. Simultaneously, these guides will assist you in gaining the confidence you require to take the exam.

We strongly recommend that you use a good PTCE study guide (or two!) to help you pass this important exam.

The exam’s content is both difficult and extensive. Most programs and study materials cover everything required to have a thorough understanding and to be an excellent pharmacy technician.

It is critical to consider your best options and to understand your most effective study method to better prepare and manage your time. A career as a pharmacy technician necessitates a significant amount of math, memorization, and pharmacy knowledge.

The exam is designed to assess the most critical knowledge and understandings to best prepare you for daily real-world application in a pharmacy setting. When studying, you’ll need a strategy to make the most of your time, practice enough material, and really understand what you’re learning.

You can pass the PTCE exam on your first attempt if you focus, practice, and plan carefully!

Below we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 PTCE study exam guides for 2022 that are available

5 Best PTCB Exam Study Guides

1. PTCB Exam Study Guide 2022-2023: Comprehensive Review Questions, Practice Quizzes, and Answer Explanations for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Test 1st Edition

Ascencia’s PTCB exam study guide has been updated for 2022-2023. This guide contains everything you need to pass the PTCB exam, including:

• A synopsis of the topics covered on the PTCB
• Online flashcards, cheat sheets, and other resources available.
• Pharmacy technicians with years of experience share their best practices.

The exam prep book follows the official PTCE framework. Among the topics discussed are:

• Compounding Pharmaceuticals
• Pharmacology
• Pharmacy Math
• Assisting the Pharmacist
• Pharmacy Law and Ethics
• Administration and Management of the Pharmacy

The guide also includes a comprehensive practice test with detailed answer explanations to help you prepare for the exam.

All of these are excellent resources for giving you an advantage on the exam!

2. PTCB Exam Study Guide 2021-2022: Prep Book with Practice Test Questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE): [6th Edition]

This exam guide was created by Test Prep Books experts for PTCB exam takers looking to get a high score, and it included the following features and benefits:

• A quick overview of the exam
• Test-taking strategies – how to pass the exam
• Introduction to the test – learn what is on the exam
• Medications – include pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, therapeutic equivalence, and medication storage
• Federal Prescription Requirements
• Patient safety and quality assurance
• Order entry and processing

There are also practice questions and detailed answers to the questions.

3. PTCB Exam Study Guide 2022: Pharmacy Technician Certification

This excellent exam guide gets right to the point, providing you with everything you need to pass the exam on the first try and is up to date with the most recent test outline.

Among the important topics are:

• Pharmacology
• Classifications of drugs and their interaction
• Medical terminology
• Abbreviations for pharmacies
• Law and regulations governing pharmacies
• Compounding, both sterile and non-sterile
• Medication security
• Pharmacy math.
• Quality control in pharmacies
• Medication filling and order entry
• Inventory control
• Reimbursements and billing
• Information systems

It also includes two full practice tests as a trial run.

4. PTCE: Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Premium: 4 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (Barron’s Test Prep)

With this exam guide written by skilled educators at Barron’s, you can will improve your understanding with a thorough review based on the most recent exam blueprint.

This guide contains three complete practice tests, as well as a pretest to help you focus and another complete practice test online.

The most recent exam blueprint of major topics and knowledge domains is thoroughly reviewed.

There are practice questions at the end of each chapter to help you remember what you’ve learned.

The appendices cover the top 200 medications, common vitamins, and natural supplements, commonly used medical terminology, pharmacy abbreviations, and other topics.

The online practice provides:

• Continued preparation with a full-length practice test on Barron’s Online Learning Hub
• A timed test option can be used to simulate the exam experience
• Detailed answer explanations and expert advice
• Scoring to monitor your learning progress

5. Pharmacy Technician Certification Study Guide 2021-2022: PTCB Exam Secrets Book, Full-Length Practice Test, Step-by-Step Review Video Tutorials: [3rd Edition] Study Guide Edition

This study guide is an excellent all-around solution for preparing for the PTCB exam.

The guide not only includes comprehensive printed materials but also includes step-by-step video materials to help you learn concepts more deeply.

The guide is organized and laid out logically, allowing each section to flow naturally and keep you focused. There are practice test questions with detailed explanations, a thorough review of each test section, and test-taking tips and strategies included.

The Mometrix guide teaches you the concepts, principles, procedures, and vocabulary associated with the following PTCB exam sections:

• State requirements and practice standards
• Medications
• Abbreviations and terminology
• Administrative and management
• Federal requirements
• Inventory management
• Patient safety and quality assurance
• Billing and reimbursement
• Health and wellness
• Order entry and processing

Many of the concepts covered in the guide include links to online videos with step-by-step instructions provided by instructors.

Bonus: PTCB Exam Flashcards: PTCB Review Flash Cards Study Guide 2022-2023 with Practice Test Questions for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam [2nd Edition] Cards – December 31, 2021

This flashcard system may be the next best thing if you’re looking for a different way to prepare for this difficult exam!

Using a flashcard-based study system is a highly effective method of learning and remembering information.

Each section of the exam is covered by the flashcards with what is likely to appear on the PTCB exam. The flashcards cover the following topics:

• Study suggestions
• Medications
• Patient safety and quality assurance
• Federal legislation and regulations
• Order entry and processing

These portable, color-coded cards will give you an extra boost in passing the exam.

Conclusion: 

All of the top PTCB exam study guides for 2022 listed above will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to pass the PTCB exam.

Keep in mind that to obtain your CPhT credential from the PTCB, you must also:

• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED
• You must be at least 18 years old to participate
• Accept full responsibility for following all PTCB Certification rules, regulations, and policies
• Provide information about any criminal actions taken against you, as well as any previous State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions taken against your license.
• Take and pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam!

Having one or two of the PTCB Study exam guides discussed above, as well as your determination and focus, you’ll be well on your way to great success.