Pennsylvania MPJE 2026 Practice Exam – 190 Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Pennsylvania Pharmacy Law,
Federal Regulations, Controlled Substances, Pharmacist Licensure,
Prescription Dispensing & Pharmacy Operations
Section 1: Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) - Schedules and Registration
Question 1
A pharmacy technician receives a call from a prescriber's office requesting a verbal order for
a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient with terminal cancer. Under federal law,
which of the following is the most appropriate action?
A. Accept the verbal order and document it immediately
B. Accept the verbal order only if the prescriber agrees to send written confirmation within 7
days
C. Refuse the verbal order, as Schedule II prescriptions cannot be accepted verbally
D. Accept the verbal order if the pharmacist determines there is an emergency situation
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Federal law permits oral Schedule II prescriptions only in genuine emergency
situations, with written confirmation required within 7 days. Cancer patients receiving
hospice care may meet emergency criteria.
Question 2
Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances Act and
registering practitioners who prescribe controlled substances?
,A. FDA
B. DEA
C. NABP
D. State Board of Pharmacy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Drug Enforcement Administration enforces the CSA and maintains
registration for practitioners, pharmacies, and distributors handling controlled substances.
Question 3
A pharmacy's DEA registration expires on June 30. The pharmacist-in-charge realizes this on
July 5. What is the legal status of controlled substance dispensing during the lapse?
A. Dispensing may continue while renewal is pending
B. Dispensing may continue for 30 days after expiration
C. Dispensing controlled substances is prohibited until renewal is granted
D. Dispensing may continue if the pharmacy notifies the DEA within 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A valid DEA registration is required for any controlled substance activity. Once
expired, the pharmacy must cease all controlled substance dispensing until renewal is
approved.
Question 4
,A physician prescribes a Schedule III medication with authorization for refills. Under federal
law, what is the maximum number of refills permitted and within what time period?
A. 3 refills within 3 months
B. 5 refills within 6 months
C. 5 refills within 12 months
D. 11 refills within 12 months
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Federal regulations limit Schedule III-V prescriptions to a maximum of 5 refills
within 6 months from the date of the original prescription.
Question 5
A pharmacy receives a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance written on a
prescription pad that lacks the prescriber's DEA number. The prescriber's DEA number is well
known to the pharmacy. What should the pharmacist do?
A. Fill the prescription since the prescriber is known to the pharmacy
B. Fill the prescription and add the DEA number from pharmacy records
C. Refuse to fill the prescription until a corrected prescription is provided
D. Fill the prescription if the patient confirms the prescriber's identity
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A valid Schedule II prescription must contain all required elements including the
prescriber's DEA number. The pharmacist cannot add missing information.
, Question 6
Which of the following best describes the concept of "corresponding responsibility" under
federal law?
A. The pharmacy must correspond with prescribers before filling all controlled substance
prescriptions
B. The pharmacist has a duty to ensure controlled substance prescriptions are issued for
legitimate medical purposes
C. The prescriber alone bears responsibility for legitimate medical purpose
D. The DEA has responsibility to verify all controlled substance prescriptions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility means the pharmacist shares with the prescriber
a duty to ensure prescriptions serve a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of
professional practice.
Question 7
A pharmacy is completing its biennial controlled substance inventory. Which of the following
is required under federal law?
A. Inventory must be taken on May 1 of odd-numbered years
B. Inventory must be maintained at the registered location for at least 2 years
C. Inventory must be sent to the DEA within 30 days
D. Inventory must include only Schedule II substances
Correct Answer: B
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Pennsylvania Pharmacy Law,
Federal Regulations, Controlled Substances, Pharmacist Licensure,
Prescription Dispensing & Pharmacy Operations
Section 1: Federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) - Schedules and Registration
Question 1
A pharmacy technician receives a call from a prescriber's office requesting a verbal order for
a Schedule II controlled substance for a patient with terminal cancer. Under federal law,
which of the following is the most appropriate action?
A. Accept the verbal order and document it immediately
B. Accept the verbal order only if the prescriber agrees to send written confirmation within 7
days
C. Refuse the verbal order, as Schedule II prescriptions cannot be accepted verbally
D. Accept the verbal order if the pharmacist determines there is an emergency situation
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Federal law permits oral Schedule II prescriptions only in genuine emergency
situations, with written confirmation required within 7 days. Cancer patients receiving
hospice care may meet emergency criteria.
Question 2
Which federal agency is responsible for enforcing the Controlled Substances Act and
registering practitioners who prescribe controlled substances?
,A. FDA
B. DEA
C. NABP
D. State Board of Pharmacy
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Drug Enforcement Administration enforces the CSA and maintains
registration for practitioners, pharmacies, and distributors handling controlled substances.
Question 3
A pharmacy's DEA registration expires on June 30. The pharmacist-in-charge realizes this on
July 5. What is the legal status of controlled substance dispensing during the lapse?
A. Dispensing may continue while renewal is pending
B. Dispensing may continue for 30 days after expiration
C. Dispensing controlled substances is prohibited until renewal is granted
D. Dispensing may continue if the pharmacy notifies the DEA within 24 hours
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A valid DEA registration is required for any controlled substance activity. Once
expired, the pharmacy must cease all controlled substance dispensing until renewal is
approved.
Question 4
,A physician prescribes a Schedule III medication with authorization for refills. Under federal
law, what is the maximum number of refills permitted and within what time period?
A. 3 refills within 3 months
B. 5 refills within 6 months
C. 5 refills within 12 months
D. 11 refills within 12 months
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Federal regulations limit Schedule III-V prescriptions to a maximum of 5 refills
within 6 months from the date of the original prescription.
Question 5
A pharmacy receives a prescription for a Schedule II controlled substance written on a
prescription pad that lacks the prescriber's DEA number. The prescriber's DEA number is well
known to the pharmacy. What should the pharmacist do?
A. Fill the prescription since the prescriber is known to the pharmacy
B. Fill the prescription and add the DEA number from pharmacy records
C. Refuse to fill the prescription until a corrected prescription is provided
D. Fill the prescription if the patient confirms the prescriber's identity
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A valid Schedule II prescription must contain all required elements including the
prescriber's DEA number. The pharmacist cannot add missing information.
, Question 6
Which of the following best describes the concept of "corresponding responsibility" under
federal law?
A. The pharmacy must correspond with prescribers before filling all controlled substance
prescriptions
B. The pharmacist has a duty to ensure controlled substance prescriptions are issued for
legitimate medical purposes
C. The prescriber alone bears responsibility for legitimate medical purpose
D. The DEA has responsibility to verify all controlled substance prescriptions
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Corresponding responsibility means the pharmacist shares with the prescriber
a duty to ensure prescriptions serve a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of
professional practice.
Question 7
A pharmacy is completing its biennial controlled substance inventory. Which of the following
is required under federal law?
A. Inventory must be taken on May 1 of odd-numbered years
B. Inventory must be maintained at the registered location for at least 2 years
C. Inventory must be sent to the DEA within 30 days
D. Inventory must include only Schedule II substances
Correct Answer: B
