United States · Certification exam
Start with the free official outlines from PTCB and NHA. They tell you exactly what's on each exam. Most people also complete a training program, which is one of the ways to qualify for both exams. If you want more practice, the official practice tests and the apps below are the ones people use. We checked each one's price and what's free in October 2026.
The current outline took effect on January 6, 2026. It gives the four knowledge areas with their weights and marks which topics involve calculations. Use it as your study checklist if you're taking the PTCE.
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Lists the 100 scored questions across five domains, with every task and knowledge area. It applies to ExCPT exams from July 9, 2025. Compounding and the technician's role get more weight here than on the PTCE.
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Finishing a program on this list is one of the two ways to qualify for the PTCE. Programs range from colleges to online and employer-run courses. Check a program here before you pay for it.
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One practice exam built from retired PTCE questions, made to look and feel like the real thing. You get an explanation after each answer and a score report at the end. There's only one version, so PTCB suggests taking it once, close to your exam. It's $10 off if you buy it with your CPhT application.
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More than 300 former PTCE questions and a deck of 400 flashcards. You can choose the length and difficulty of each session, timed or untimed, and use it as often as you like.
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NHA's own prep for the ExCPT: an online study guide, practice tests you can take up to six times, and a bundle of both. NHA says none of it is required to sit the exam.
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The most-rated PTCE app on the App Store: 4.7 stars from about 4,800 ratings. Premium unlocks more than 890 questions, flashcards, a math review and short videos. It covers the PTCE only, not the ExCPT. The store lists several prices for similar plans, so check the price before you subscribe.
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4.7 stars from about 2,600 ratings on the App Store. Premium unlocks 1,000 PTCE questions, three full mock exams and quizzes built from your missed questions. It also includes Pocket Prep's other medical exam banks.
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4.8 stars from about 1,300 ratings on the App Store. The developer says it has more than 1,500 questions. It offers a money-back pass guarantee, but terms apply, so read them first.
Checked October 2026
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Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.