About this test
PTCB Practice Test 6 draws from set 6. The rule-based domains, Federal Requirements and Patient Safety, are where many candidates lose easy points to outdated study guides. Federal Requirements in particular grew from 12.5% to 18.75% under the 2026 outline, so it is a smart place to over-prepare.
The federal questions here test federal law only, not state rules. Where your state is stricter, remember that on the exam you answer by the federal standard.
New to the material? Work through our 2026 PTCB study guide first, then reinforce it with PTCB Practice Test 5 and PTCB Practice Test 7.
What's in the question bank
| Topic | Questions in bank |
|---|---|
| Brand Generic | 3 |
| Drug Class | 2 |
| Storage | 2 |
| Reporting | 2 |
| Expiration | 1 |
| Interactions | 1 |
| Contraindications | 1 |
| Csa Dispensing | 1 |
Sample questions with answers
These 8 questions come straight from the 27-question bank the timed test above draws from. Work each one before you open the answer: recalling it cold is what moves it into long-term memory.
1. Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate) belongs to which drug class?
- A.Calcium channel blockers
- B.Beta blockers
- C.ACE inhibitors
- D.Alpha-1 blockers
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Beta blockers
Metoprolol is a beta blocker, specifically a beta-1 selective (cardioselective) agent, used for hypertension, angina, heart failure, and after a heart attack. Generic names ending in -olol are a useful clue for beta blockers, distinguishing them from calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine.
2. Under USP compounding standards, the beyond-use date (BUD) of a compounded preparation is calculated starting from what point in time?
- A.The date or time the preparation is compounded
- B.The earliest expiration date of the ingredients used
- C.The date the preparation is dispensed to the patient
- D.The date the patient takes the first dose
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. The date or time the preparation is compounded
BUDs are calculated from the date or time of compounding, marking when the preparation may no longer be stored or transported. The dispensing date is irrelevant to the calculation, which is why counting from pickup is the classic wrong answer.
3. 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
Show answer and explanation
Correct 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.
4. Form FDA 3500A differs from Form FDA 3500 because Form 3500A is used for which purpose?
- A.Mandatory adverse event reporting by manufacturers, user facilities, and IND researchers
- B.Voluntary reporting by community pharmacists
- C.Consumer-friendly voluntary reporting in Spanish
- D.Reporting problems with tobacco and vaping products
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Mandatory adverse event reporting by manufacturers, user facilities, and IND researchers
Form 3500A is the mandatory reporting form, used by industry, user facility personnel, and Investigational New Drug researchers when electronic submission is not required. Form 3500 is the voluntary form for health professionals, and 3500B serves consumers, including a Spanish version. Tobacco product problems go to the separate Safety Reporting Portal.
5. What do the three segments of a National Drug Code (NDC) identify?
- A.The wholesaler, the strength, and the lot number
- B.The labeler, the product, and the package size
- C.The manufacturer, the DEA schedule, and the expiration date
- D.The pharmacy, the prescriber, and the drug category
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. The labeler, the product, and the package size
The NDC is a unique three-segment number that serves as the FDA's identifier for drugs: the first segment identifies the labeler (manufacturer or distributor), the second identifies the specific product including strength and dosage form, and the third identifies the package size and type. Selecting the exact NDC of the stock bottle used is essential for accurate billing and inventory.
6. Neurontin is the brand name for which generic medication?
- A.Pregabalin
- B.Gabapentin
- C.Topiramate
- D.Levetiracetam
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Gabapentin
Neurontin is the brand name for gabapentin, an anticonvulsant also widely used for nerve pain. Pregabalin (Lyrica) is a closely related drug and is frequently confused with gabapentin, but it is a distinct product with its own brand name.
7. Under USP standards, "controlled room temperature" is defined as a thermostatically maintained range of:
- A.15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
- B.2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)
- C.20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
- D.8°C to 15°C (46°F to 59°F)
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F)
USP defines controlled room temperature as the usual and customary working environment of 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). The 15°C to 30°C range describes allowable temporary excursions around that range, not the defined storage band itself.
8. 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
Show answer and explanation
Correct 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.
Ready for the full timed run? Scroll back up and start the Practice Test 6, or browse every free PTCB quiz by exam domain.
Key concepts to know
Federal law is often free points
DEA schedules, refill limits, recall classes, and REMS basics are predictable and memorizable. Unlike judgment questions, they have clean right answers, so they reward straightforward study.
Know where the technician's scope ends
Patient Safety questions frequently test whether a task must go to the pharmacist: DUR alerts, therapeutic substitutions, and counseling all do. Learn the escalation triggers and these questions become easy.
Practice Test 6: FAQ
Why focus on Federal Requirements?
Its weight rose to 18.75% in the 2026 outline, and many candidates still study from guides that under-weight it. That makes pharmacy law an efficient place to gain points this year.
Does the exam test my state's laws?
No. The PTCE tests federal requirements only. State-specific rules are handled by your State Board of Pharmacy, not the exam.
Official sources checked
This quiz's content and explanations are built from and cross-checked against primary sources. Verify current exam facts directly with PTCB.