PTCB Quiz Prep

Controlled Substance Dispensing Practice Questions

Updated · aligned to the 2026 PTCE outline

Refill and transfer rules by schedule, plus the DEA forms and the recordkeeping each one covers.

12 questionsAnswers includedUntimedEvery answer cited100% free

Key takeaways

  • Schedule II: no refills, ever. Schedules III and IV: up to 5 refills within 6 months. Schedule V: as authorized.
  • DEA Form 222 orders Schedule I and II substances. CSOS is the electronic equivalent.
  • DEA Form 106 reports theft or significant loss. DEA Form 41 documents destruction.
  • Schedule II prescriptions cannot be transferred between pharmacies.

Controlled substance rules are the most rule-bound material on the PTCE, which makes them the most reliably scorable. The refill limits, the transfer rules and the DEA form numbers do not vary by state or by employer, so they reward memorization directly.

These questions come from the Federal Requirements domain, 18.75% of the 2026 exam. The DEA form numbers in particular show up almost every time.

Want the same material as a timed, randomized run instead? Try the controlled substance schedules reference, the timed Federal Requirements quiz, and the Federal Requirements domain guide.

All 12 controlled substances questions and answers

Each answer is followed by an explanation and a link to the primary source it was checked against.

  1. 1. Under the CSA, a prescription for a Schedule III or IV controlled substance may be refilled a maximum of how many times, and within what period after the issue date?

    • A.5 refills within 6 months
    • B.6 refills within 12 months
    • C.5 refills within 12 months
    • D.3 refills within 6 months

    Answer: A. 5 refills within 6 months

    Under 21 CFR 1306.22, a Schedule III or IV prescription may be refilled no more than 5 times, and no fill or refill may occur more than 6 months after the date of issue. After 5 refills or 6 months, whichever comes first, a new prescription is required.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  2. 2. A patient presents a diazepam prescription that was issued 7 months ago and still shows 2 refills remaining on the label. What does federal law permit the pharmacy to do?

    • A.Dispense both remaining refills because they were authorized by the prescriber
    • B.Dispense only one more refill and cancel the rest
    • C.Refuse the refill because the prescription expired 6 months after issuance
    • D.Transfer the refills to another pharmacy for dispensing

    Answer: C. Refuse the refill because the prescription expired 6 months after issuance

    Diazepam is a Schedule IV substance, and 21 CFR 1306.22 prohibits filling or refilling a Schedule III or IV prescription more than 6 months after its issue date, regardless of refills remaining. The patient must obtain a new prescription from the prescriber.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  3. 3. Two pharmacies that do not share an electronic database want to transfer a Schedule IV prescription with remaining refills. How many times does federal law allow the original prescription information to be transferred for refill purposes?

    • A.Unlimited times, as long as refills remain
    • B.One time only
    • C.Twice, if the prescriber approves each transfer
    • D.Transfers of controlled substance prescriptions are prohibited

    Answer: B. One time only

    Under 21 CFR 1306.25, the transfer of original prescription information for a Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substance for refill dispensing is permitted on a one-time basis only. The transfer must also be communicated directly between two licensed pharmacists.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  4. 4. Two pharmacies in the same chain electronically share a real-time, online database. How does this affect transfers of Schedule III-V prescription refill information between them under federal law?

    • A.Transfers remain limited to one time only
    • B.Transfers are prohibited between commonly owned pharmacies
    • C.Each transfer requires a new hard-copy prescription
    • D.They may transfer the prescription up to the maximum refills permitted by law and the prescriber's authorization

    Answer: D. They may transfer the prescription up to the maximum refills permitted by law and the prescriber's authorization

    21 CFR 1306.25(a) creates an exception to the one-time transfer limit: pharmacies electronically sharing a real-time, online database may transfer a Schedule III-V prescription up to the maximum number of refills permitted by law and the prescriber's authorization. All documentation requirements for transfers still apply.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  5. 5. A pharmacist can supply only 40 of the 90 oxycodone tablets written on a valid Schedule II prescription because of a stock shortage. Under federal law, within what period must the remaining tablets be dispensed?

    • A.Within 72 hours of the first partial filling
    • B.Within 7 days of the first partial filling
    • C.Within 30 days of the first partial filling
    • D.Within 6 months of the issue date

    Answer: A. Within 72 hours of the first partial filling

    When a pharmacist is unable to supply the full quantity of a Schedule II prescription, 21 CFR 1306.13(a) allows a partial fill with the remainder dispensed within 72 hours of the first partial filling. If the balance cannot be supplied within 72 hours, the pharmacist must notify the prescriber, and no further quantity may be dispensed without a new prescription.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  6. 6. When a patient voluntarily requests a partial fill of a Schedule II prescription (and state law does not prohibit it), federal law requires any remaining portions to be filled no later than what deadline?

    • A.72 hours after the first partial fill
    • B.6 months after the date the prescription was written
    • C.30 days after the date the prescription was written
    • D.14 days after the first partial fill

    Answer: C. 30 days after the date the prescription was written

    Under 21 CFR 1306.13(b), a Schedule II prescription may be partially filled at the request of the patient or prescriber if state law permits, and remaining portions must be filled no later than 30 days after the date the prescription was written. The total quantity dispensed across all partial fills may not exceed the total quantity prescribed, and for emergency oral prescriptions the limit is 72 hours instead.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  7. 7. A hospice pharmacy receives a Schedule II morphine prescription dated June 1 for a patient with a documented terminal illness, and the pharmacist annotates it 'terminally ill.' Under federal law, this prescription may be partially filled in individual dosage units for how long?

    • A.Up to 6 months from the issue date
    • B.Up to 60 days from the issue date, unless the medication is discontinued sooner
    • C.Up to 30 days from the issue date with no exceptions
    • D.Up to 72 hours from the first partial fill

    Answer: B. Up to 60 days from the issue date, unless the medication is discontinued sooner

    Under 21 CFR 1306.13(c), Schedule II prescriptions for patients in a long-term care facility or with a medical diagnosis documenting a terminal illness may be filled in partial quantities, and the prescription is valid for up to 60 days from the issue date unless terminated earlier by discontinuance of the medication. The pharmacist must record 'terminally ill' or 'LTCF patient' on the prescription, and each partial fill must be documented.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  8. 8. A pharmacy needs to order hydromorphone tablets from its wholesaler. Which DEA form (or its electronic equivalent) must be used for this order?

    • A.DEA Form 224
    • B.DEA Form 222
    • C.DEA Form 106
    • D.DEA Form 41

    Answer: B. DEA Form 222

    Under 21 CFR 1305.03, a DEA Form 222 or its electronic CSOS equivalent is required for each distribution of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, which includes a pharmacy ordering hydromorphone from a distributor. Schedule III-V substances may be ordered with ordinary invoices instead.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  9. 9. Which DEA form does a new retail pharmacy submit to register to dispense controlled substances, and how often must that registration be renewed?

    • A.DEA Form 224, renewed every 3 years
    • B.DEA Form 222, renewed every 2 years
    • C.DEA Form 363, renewed every year
    • D.DEA Form 225, renewed every 3 years

    Answer: A. DEA Form 224, renewed every 3 years

    Under 21 CFR 1301.13(e), a retail pharmacy registers to dispense Schedule II-V controlled substances using DEA Form 224, and the registration period is 3 years. Renewal is completed with DEA Form 224a; Form 225 is for manufacturers and distributors and Form 363 is for narcotic treatment programs.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  10. 10. A pharmacy technician opening the store discovers a break-in overnight, and a significant quantity of oxycodone is missing. What does federal law require the pharmacy to do?

    • A.File DEA Form 41 within 30 days and notify the state board
    • B.Notify DEA only if the loss exceeds 100 dosage units
    • C.Complete DEA Form 222 to document the missing stock
    • D.Notify the local DEA Field Division Office in writing within one business day and file DEA Form 106 within 45 days of discovery

    Answer: D. Notify the local DEA Field Division Office in writing within one business day and file DEA Form 106 within 45 days of discovery

    Under 21 CFR 1301.76(b), a registrant must notify the DEA Field Division Office in writing within one business day of discovering a theft or significant loss of controlled substances, and must then file a complete and accurate DEA Form 106 through DEA's secure network application within 45 days of discovery. Form 41 documents destruction, not theft.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  11. 11. DEA Form 41 is used by a registrant to document which activity?

    • A.Ordering Schedule I and II controlled substances
    • B.Reporting theft or significant loss of controlled substances
    • C.Recording controlled substances that have been destroyed
    • D.Applying for a new DEA registration

    Answer: C. Recording controlled substances that have been destroyed

    DEA Form 41, the Registrant Record of Controlled Substances Destroyed, documents the destruction of controlled substances rendered non-retrievable. Two authorized employees must witness the destruction and sign the form, and it must be kept as a record for at least two years rather than routinely submitted to DEA.

    Source: law.cornell.edu

  12. 12. Which of the following pharmacy activities requires a DEA Form 222 or its electronic equivalent?

    • A.Obtaining amphetamine salts (Schedule II) stock from a distributor
    • B.Dispensing a Schedule II prescription to a patient
    • C.Returning expired Schedule IV inventory to a reverse distributor
    • D.Renewing the pharmacy's DEA registration

    Answer: A. Obtaining amphetamine salts (Schedule II) stock from a distributor

    A DEA Form 222 or CSOS electronic order is required for each distribution of Schedule I or II controlled substances between registrants, such as a pharmacy acquiring Schedule II stock from a distributor. Dispensing to a patient pursuant to a prescription is not a distribution, Schedule III-V transfers do not require the form, and registration renewal uses DEA Form 224a.

    Source: ecfr.gov

Controlled Substances: FAQ

How many refills are allowed on a Schedule III prescription?

Up to five refills within six months of the date written, whichever limit is reached first. The same rule applies to Schedule IV. Schedule II allows no refills at all.

What is DEA Form 222 used for?

Ordering Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances from a supplier. It is a triplicate form, and the Controlled Substance Ordering System is the electronic version that most pharmacies now use instead.

What is the difference between DEA Form 106 and Form 41?

Form 106 reports theft or significant loss of controlled substances to the DEA. Form 41 documents the destruction of controlled substances that are being disposed of. One is for stock that went missing, the other for stock deliberately destroyed.

Can a Schedule II prescription be transferred to another pharmacy?

No. Schedule II prescriptions cannot be transferred. Schedules III through V can be transferred once for refill purposes, or more if the pharmacies share a real-time online database.

Official sources checked

Every answer above was written against a primary source and verified independently. These are the 5 sources behind this set.

More practice question sets

Sig CodesHigh-Alert MedicationsLASA DrugsDrug InteractionsError ReportingStorage & ExpirationBilling & Insurance

Prefer a timed run? Browse every free PTCB practice test.

PTCB Quiz Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.