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Canada · Qualifying exam

The PEBC pharmacy technician OSPE (Part II)

Part II of the PEBC exam is the OSPE, the Objective Structured Practical Examination. You move through 11 stations of 6 minutes each, talking to actors, doing practical tasks and assessing a video. The pharmacy technician OSPE runs on the same day at centres across Canada, in person only, and PEBC says to expect about 6.5 hours there.

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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

The 11 stations

You get 2 minutes before each station to move and read the posted instructions. A warning sounds at 4 minutes 30 seconds. There are rest stations too, and you may not talk to other candidates, even there.

Station typeHow manyWhat you do
Interactive5Talk with a simulated patient or health professional to solve a problem, answer their questions and refer when it fits
Non-interactive4, one a technique demonstrationTasks such as screening new prescriptions, updating a patient record, checking prepared medications or compounding
Video1Watch a procedure and record your assessment of it
Pretest1, interactive or non-interactiveDoesn't count, and you won't know which one it is

How the day runs

  • Admission and registration: 30-60 minutes
  • Timing demonstration, washroom and wait: 60 minutes
  • First half: 80 minutes, then a 20-minute break
  • Second half: 80 minutes
  • Sign-out and sequestering: 30-90 minutes

Start times vary by time zone. If you arrive more than 30 minutes late, you may not be allowed to sit.

What to bring

  • Your PEBC Admission Card, printed on white paper. It's emailed about 3 weeks before, and an electronic copy isn't accepted.
  • Original, valid government photo ID, such as a passport, provincial driver's licence, provincial photo health card or permanent resident card.
  • A plain lab coat, dispensing jacket, uniform or scrubs, with any logos covered or removed.
  • Allowed items in one clear resealable bag: water in a clear bottle with the label off, and unwrapped snacks with no nuts.

PEBC supplies the pencils, eraser, calculator, ID badge and candidate notebook.

How is the pharmacy technician OSPE marked?

Pharmacy technicians and pharmacists assess you with standard criteria. An assessor in the room marks interactive stations and the technique demonstration; written stations are scored from your answer sheets, so fill bubbles completely. Some stations give you references, such as RxTx or Health Canada material, and you can use only what's provided.

A panel sets the pass mark for each OSPE from what a borderline candidate would score. Results are pass/fail, as they are for Part I.

When results come out →

Preparing for the OSPE

Watch PEBC's sample station videos and read its station formats. In every station, PEBC expects you to use professional and ethical judgement and to help the person while they're in front of you, not refer them away or promise to call back. Communication counts for far more in the OSPE than in Part I, so rehearse out loud with someone playing the patient.

If more people apply than there are seats, first-time takers get priority, and the rest move to the next exam. You can list up to six locations; to take the OSPE in French, choose the bilingual centre in Ottawa.

Sources: PEBC and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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