NCCT NCPT Certification Exam | National Certified Phlebotomy
Technician Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
2026/2027
Question 1
Which DEA form is required for a pharmacy to order or transfer
Schedule II controlled substances?
• A. DEA Form 41
• B. DEA Form 106
• C. DEA Form 222
• D. DEA Form 363
Correct Answer: C. DEA Form 222
Detailed Rationale: DEA Form 222 is specifically required for the
ordering, purchasing, or transferring of Schedule II controlled
substances between registrants. DEA Form 41 is for
destruction/disposal of controlled substances, Form 106 is for theft or
significant loss, and Form 363 is for narcotic treatment programs.
Question 2
If a prescription is written for Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL suspension with
the sig: "1 tsp po tid x 10 days," what is the total volume in milliliters
that the pharmacy must dispense?
• A. 50 mL
• B. 100 mL
, • C. 150 mL
• D. 300 mL
Correct Answer: C. 150 mL
Detailed Rationale: One teaspoon (tsp) is equivalent to 5 mL. The
dosage is 1 tsp (5 mL) three times a day (tid), which equals 15 mL per
day. Multiply 15 mL/day by 10 days to get a total volume of 150 mL.
Question 3
According to USP Chapter <795>, what is the standard beyond-use date
(BUD) for a non-aqueous topical formulation (such as an ointment)
when the active ingredient is a manufactured commercial product?
• A. 14 days when stored in a refrigerator
• B. 30 days or the earliest expiration date of any API, whichever is
earlier
• C. 6 months or the earliest expiration date of any API, whichever is
earlier
• D. 24 hours at room temperature
Correct Answer: C. 6 months or the earliest expiration date of any API,
whichever is earlier
Detailed Rationale: Per USP <795>, for non-aqueous formulations (like
ointments or creams made from commercial tablets/capsules), the BUD
is not later than 6 months or the earliest expiration date of any active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API), whichever comes first.
Question 4
,Which FDA publication is the standard reference used by pharmacists
and technicians to determine the therapeutic equivalence of brand-
name and generic drug products?
• A. Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR)
• B. United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary (USP-NF)
• C. Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence
Evaluations (The Orange Book)
• D. Red Book
Correct Answer: C. Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic
Equivalence Evaluations (The Orange Book)
Detailed Rationale: The Orange Book, published by the FDA, lists
approved drug products along with therapeutic equivalence evaluations
(e.g., AB-rated generics). The Red Book focuses on drug pricing, USP-NF
on compounding standards, and PDR on prescribing info.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of using Tall Man lettering on drug labels
in a pharmacy?
• A. To make prescription labels look more visually appealing to
patients.
• B. To help differentiate look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) drug names
to prevent medication dispensing errors.
• C. To indicate that a drug is a controlled substance.
• D. To highlight the expiration date of the medication.
, Correct Answer: B. To help differentiate look-alike, sound-alike (LASA)
drug names to prevent medication dispensing errors.
Detailed Rationale: Tall Man lettering (e.g., hydrOXYzine and
hydrALAZINE) uses mixed-case letters to highlight the dissimilarities
between look-alike, sound-alike drug names, reducing medication
errors.
Question 6
Under USP Chapter <797> standards, a sterile compounding cleanroom
suite must maintain which minimum ISO classification level for its buffer
area?
• A. ISO Class 5
• B. ISO Class 7
• C. ISO Class 8
• D. ISO Class 9
Correct Answer: B. ISO Class 7
Detailed Rationale: Under USP <797>, the buffer area (where primary
engineering controls like laminar airflow hoods are housed) must
maintain at least ISO Class 7 air quality. The primary engineering control
itself must be ISO Class 5.
Question 7
Which federal legislation enacted in 1970 requires most prescription
and OTC medications to be packaged in child-resistant containers unless
specifically requested otherwise by the patient or prescriber?
• A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Technician Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
2026/2027
Question 1
Which DEA form is required for a pharmacy to order or transfer
Schedule II controlled substances?
• A. DEA Form 41
• B. DEA Form 106
• C. DEA Form 222
• D. DEA Form 363
Correct Answer: C. DEA Form 222
Detailed Rationale: DEA Form 222 is specifically required for the
ordering, purchasing, or transferring of Schedule II controlled
substances between registrants. DEA Form 41 is for
destruction/disposal of controlled substances, Form 106 is for theft or
significant loss, and Form 363 is for narcotic treatment programs.
Question 2
If a prescription is written for Amoxicillin 250 mg/5 mL suspension with
the sig: "1 tsp po tid x 10 days," what is the total volume in milliliters
that the pharmacy must dispense?
• A. 50 mL
• B. 100 mL
, • C. 150 mL
• D. 300 mL
Correct Answer: C. 150 mL
Detailed Rationale: One teaspoon (tsp) is equivalent to 5 mL. The
dosage is 1 tsp (5 mL) three times a day (tid), which equals 15 mL per
day. Multiply 15 mL/day by 10 days to get a total volume of 150 mL.
Question 3
According to USP Chapter <795>, what is the standard beyond-use date
(BUD) for a non-aqueous topical formulation (such as an ointment)
when the active ingredient is a manufactured commercial product?
• A. 14 days when stored in a refrigerator
• B. 30 days or the earliest expiration date of any API, whichever is
earlier
• C. 6 months or the earliest expiration date of any API, whichever is
earlier
• D. 24 hours at room temperature
Correct Answer: C. 6 months or the earliest expiration date of any API,
whichever is earlier
Detailed Rationale: Per USP <795>, for non-aqueous formulations (like
ointments or creams made from commercial tablets/capsules), the BUD
is not later than 6 months or the earliest expiration date of any active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API), whichever comes first.
Question 4
,Which FDA publication is the standard reference used by pharmacists
and technicians to determine the therapeutic equivalence of brand-
name and generic drug products?
• A. Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR)
• B. United States Pharmacopeia–National Formulary (USP-NF)
• C. Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence
Evaluations (The Orange Book)
• D. Red Book
Correct Answer: C. Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic
Equivalence Evaluations (The Orange Book)
Detailed Rationale: The Orange Book, published by the FDA, lists
approved drug products along with therapeutic equivalence evaluations
(e.g., AB-rated generics). The Red Book focuses on drug pricing, USP-NF
on compounding standards, and PDR on prescribing info.
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of using Tall Man lettering on drug labels
in a pharmacy?
• A. To make prescription labels look more visually appealing to
patients.
• B. To help differentiate look-alike, sound-alike (LASA) drug names
to prevent medication dispensing errors.
• C. To indicate that a drug is a controlled substance.
• D. To highlight the expiration date of the medication.
, Correct Answer: B. To help differentiate look-alike, sound-alike (LASA)
drug names to prevent medication dispensing errors.
Detailed Rationale: Tall Man lettering (e.g., hydrOXYzine and
hydrALAZINE) uses mixed-case letters to highlight the dissimilarities
between look-alike, sound-alike drug names, reducing medication
errors.
Question 6
Under USP Chapter <797> standards, a sterile compounding cleanroom
suite must maintain which minimum ISO classification level for its buffer
area?
• A. ISO Class 5
• B. ISO Class 7
• C. ISO Class 8
• D. ISO Class 9
Correct Answer: B. ISO Class 7
Detailed Rationale: Under USP <797>, the buffer area (where primary
engineering controls like laminar airflow hoods are housed) must
maintain at least ISO Class 7 air quality. The primary engineering control
itself must be ISO Class 5.
Question 7
Which federal legislation enacted in 1970 requires most prescription
and OTC medications to be packaged in child-resistant containers unless
specifically requested otherwise by the patient or prescriber?
• A. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
