The ExCPT Exam
The Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians
The Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) is a nationally accredited certification exam for pharmacy technicians offered by the National Healthcareer Association, an ATI company. The purpose of the ExCPT is to: (1) evaluate the knowledge and skills associated with the performance of tasks required for professional practice as a pharmacy technician and (2) provide a means for recognizing pharmacy technicians who continue to demonstrate their qualifications by complying with ICPT requirements and adhering to high professional standards.
In order to take the ExCPT, candidates must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Have not been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony
- Have not had any registration or license revoked, suspended or subject to any disciplinary action by a state health regulatory board.
The ExCPT is a computerized exam composed of 110 multiple choice questions. Ten of the 110 questions are pre-test questions. These questions will not count towards your final score. The remaining 100 questions fall under three general areas:
- Regulations and Technician Duties (approximately 25 percent): Candidates may expect questions on general technician duties; federal and state law; federal, state and agency rules and regulations, etc.
- Drugs and Drug Products (approximately 23 percent): Candidates may expect questions on drug classification, dosage forms, brand and generic drug names, etc.
- The Dispensing Process (approximately 52 percent): Candidates may expect questions on prescription information including preparing and dispensing prescriptions, pharmacy calculations, sterile products, repackaging, etc.
A complete outline of ExCPT exam content and scoring information is available here.
The ExCPT is offered over 310 days a year at over 550 psi/LaserGrade Testing Centers located throughout North America and overseas at colleges, training schools, and certification-related locations. psi/LaserGrade is one of only two computer-based testing companies in the world authorized to administer all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airman Knowledge Tests. As such, many of their test facilities are located at local or regional airport locations and have the highest test security available.
To register for the ExCPT, candidates must call the LaserGrade toll free number 1-800-211-2754 to arrange a test date, time and location. To find testing sites closest to you, click here. Exams can usually be taken within one to two days following registration. For more information on ExCPT registration, click here.
The exam lasts for two hours and includes an exit survey at the end of the exam. On the survey, candidates are allowed to rate the exam registration procedures, the testing facility and the testing experience. This information is reviewed by the ICPT staff and referred to the Certification Governing Committee.
Candidates who fail the exam will be eligible to retake the exam four weeks after their test date. The ICPT also offers a diagnostic report to indicate how you performed on each section of the test.
Exam candidates must bring a valid photo ID. Valid forms of ID include: a valid passport, driver's license, US Armed Forces photo identification or a non-driver's identification issued by a state department of motor vehicles. Candidates may not bring any paper, books, cell phones, calculators, pagers, scanners, cameras or PDAs with them into the examining room. Candidates will be inspected for any unauthorized materials, and all personal belongings will be locked securely prior to the exam. The testing site may also be videotaped for additional security.
Candidates will be supplied with two blank sheets of paper and a pencil to assist in the completion of the exam. A calculator is also available on the computer.
The ExCPT costs $105.
For more information on the ExCPT, registration information and exam preparation consult the official web site: www.nationaltechexam.org.
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