Wrapping up

You’ve now covered the core knowledge tested on the PTCE, including:

• Common medications and their uses
• Adverse effects, contraindications, and drug classifications
• Patient safety and error prevention
• Prescription processing and medication dispensing
• Key pharmacy laws and regulations

If you used the quizzes and assessments along the way, you’ve also had practice applying that knowledge in exam-style questions. The next step is registering for - and taking - the official PTCE.

Registering for the PTCE

To take the PTCE, you’ll first create an account with PTCB. Then you’ll submit an online application for the exam and pay the $129 fee. Once your application is approved, you can schedule your exam.

You can take the exam in either of these formats:

• At a physical test center
• As an online proctored exam

Other important information

• Your unofficial exam score appears on the screen immediately after you finish. Official scores are available within three weeks.
• You’ll need an approved form of identification to check in at the test center.
• You can download your PTCB certificate from your account. PTCB also offers digital badges that include details about your certification.
• To maintain your credential, you’ll need to renew your certification every 2 years.
• Plan to arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes before your exam time.

Other resources

Check out the Achievable Blog for study tips and test-day best practices.

Dump sheet

Many test takers use “dump sheets” as study supplements and as a way to create a legal reference during the exam. A dump sheet typically includes visual guides and condensed notes on key topics. The idea is to memorize the material ahead of time and then “dump” it onto your notepad at the beginning of the exam.

These are allowed in the test center as long as they are created after the test has started (and not during the initial tutorial). They aren’t required to succeed, but some test takers find them helpful.

You can certainly create your own, but here are Achievable’s PTCE dump sheets:

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Formulas

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Miscellaneous

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Miscellaneous (cont.)

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Medications - organ systems

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Medications - organ systems (cont.)

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Medications - Antibiotics

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Medications - Adverse effects

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - SIG codes

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Name stems

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Prescription processing

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Pharmacokinetic interactions

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Drug interactions

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Conversions

Download: PTCE Dump Sheet - Federal laws