PHARMACY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION (PTCB) – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Medications and Classifications*
*Federal Requirements and Regulations*
*Patient Safety and Quality Assurance*
*Order Entry and Processing Management*
*Pharmacy Math and Calculations*
*Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding*
*Pharmacy Information Systems*
*Inventory Management*
*Introduction*
This comprehensive practice assessment is designed to evaluate the core
competencies required for pharmacy technician certification. The exam assesses a
candidate's mastery of clinical knowledge, federal regulatory compliance, and safety
protocols essential for pharmacy practice. The assessment utilizes a blend of
foundational theory and scenario-based multiple-choice questions to mirror the
,complexity of real-world pharmacy environments. Candidates are tested on their
ability to perform precise calculations, apply ethical decision-making, and ensure
patient safety through rigorous quality assurance. By focusing on practical application
and critical thinking, this exam ensures that professionals are prepared to support
pharmacists effectively and provide high-quality care to patients.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances
Act?
A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B. 🟢 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
D. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
🔴 RATIONALE: The DEA is the primary federal agency tasked with enforcing the
Controlled Substances Act and overseeing the legal distribution of narcotics and
dangerous drugs.
2. A patient presents a prescription for Lisinopril. This medication is primarily
classified as a(n):
,A. Beta-blocker
B. Calcium channel blocker
C. 🟢 ACE inhibitor
D. Diuretic
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril belongs to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor class, commonly used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
3. How many milliliters are in a 4-ounce bottle of cough syrup?
A. 30 mL
B. 60 mL
C. 🟢 120 mL
D. 240 mL
🔴 RATIONALE: Based on the conversion factor of 1 ounce = 30 mL, a 4-ounce
bottle contains 120 mL (4 x 30).
4. Which of the following DAW codes should be used when the prescriber permits
generic substitution, but the patient requests the brand-name product?
A. DAW 0
B. DAW 1
, C. 🟢 DAW 2
D. DAW 3
🔴 RATIONALE: DAW 2 is used when the physician authorizes a generic, but the
patient specifically requests the brand-name medication.
5. What is the maximum number of refills allowed on a Schedule III (CIII)
controlled substance prescription?
A. Zero
B. 🟢 Five
C. Eleven
D. As many as needed within one year
🔴 RATIONALE: Federal law permits CIII and CIV prescriptions to be refilled up to
five times within six months from the date the prescription was written.
6. A pharmacy technician is cleaning a laminar airflow workbench. In which
direction should the cleaning occur?
A. 🟢 Back to front, side to side
B. Front to back, side to side
C. Circular motions from the center outward
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Medications and Classifications*
*Federal Requirements and Regulations*
*Patient Safety and Quality Assurance*
*Order Entry and Processing Management*
*Pharmacy Math and Calculations*
*Sterile and Non-Sterile Compounding*
*Pharmacy Information Systems*
*Inventory Management*
*Introduction*
This comprehensive practice assessment is designed to evaluate the core
competencies required for pharmacy technician certification. The exam assesses a
candidate's mastery of clinical knowledge, federal regulatory compliance, and safety
protocols essential for pharmacy practice. The assessment utilizes a blend of
foundational theory and scenario-based multiple-choice questions to mirror the
,complexity of real-world pharmacy environments. Candidates are tested on their
ability to perform precise calculations, apply ethical decision-making, and ensure
patient safety through rigorous quality assurance. By focusing on practical application
and critical thinking, this exam ensures that professionals are prepared to support
pharmacists effectively and provide high-quality care to patients.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances
Act?
A. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
B. 🟢 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
D. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
🔴 RATIONALE: The DEA is the primary federal agency tasked with enforcing the
Controlled Substances Act and overseeing the legal distribution of narcotics and
dangerous drugs.
2. A patient presents a prescription for Lisinopril. This medication is primarily
classified as a(n):
,A. Beta-blocker
B. Calcium channel blocker
C. 🟢 ACE inhibitor
D. Diuretic
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril belongs to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor class, commonly used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
3. How many milliliters are in a 4-ounce bottle of cough syrup?
A. 30 mL
B. 60 mL
C. 🟢 120 mL
D. 240 mL
🔴 RATIONALE: Based on the conversion factor of 1 ounce = 30 mL, a 4-ounce
bottle contains 120 mL (4 x 30).
4. Which of the following DAW codes should be used when the prescriber permits
generic substitution, but the patient requests the brand-name product?
A. DAW 0
B. DAW 1
, C. 🟢 DAW 2
D. DAW 3
🔴 RATIONALE: DAW 2 is used when the physician authorizes a generic, but the
patient specifically requests the brand-name medication.
5. What is the maximum number of refills allowed on a Schedule III (CIII)
controlled substance prescription?
A. Zero
B. 🟢 Five
C. Eleven
D. As many as needed within one year
🔴 RATIONALE: Federal law permits CIII and CIV prescriptions to be refilled up to
five times within six months from the date the prescription was written.
6. A pharmacy technician is cleaning a laminar airflow workbench. In which
direction should the cleaning occur?
A. 🟢 Back to front, side to side
B. Front to back, side to side
C. Circular motions from the center outward
