Format at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 200 multiple choice (150 scored, 50 unscored pretest), standalone and case-based |
| Time | 260 minutes of testing time in a 4.5-hour sitting, one section |
| Delivery | Prometric test centre or remote proctoring |
| Windows | February, May, July (Part I only) and November |
| Fee | C$870 (2027 fee) |
| Pass mark | Not published; criterion-referenced, results are pass or fail only |
The blueprint for Part I
Weightings are PEBC's approximate values from the blueprint dated May 2026.
- Providing Care, Clinical Care (about 50%): assessing patients, developing, implementing and monitoring care plans.
- Providing Care, Distribution (about 20%): reviewing and processing prescriptions, preparing, verifying and releasing products, managing inventory.
- Professionalism (about 12%): law and regulation, ethics, equity, diversity and inclusion, patient safety.
- Knowledge and Expertise (about 11%): professional judgment and evidence-informed decisions.
- Communication and Collaboration (about 4%) and Leadership and Stewardship (about 3%).
What gets tested most
Common conditions managed under Canadian guidelines: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, asthma and COPD, depression, infections and immunization, pain and self-care. Expect calculation questions (doses, infusion rates, CrCl, dilutions), prescription problems you need to resolve, and law and ethics scenarios. Lab values are in SI units, and drugs are named by their generic names.
See where you stand in 10 minutes
Take the free PEBC Pharmacist MCQ practice test. 15 questions, every answer explained.
Pass rates
PEBC publishes pass rates by candidate group. For administrations between May 2024 and May 2026, Part I pass rates were 87.2% for first-time graduates of Canadian programs, 35.6% for international first-time candidates and 47.1% for international repeat candidates. You have up to four attempts at each Part (the fourth only after approved remediation), so preparation matters.
A 12-week plan
- Weeks 1-2: take the free diagnostic, then cardiovascular and renal care. Flashcards daily.
- Weeks 3-5: endocrine, respiratory, infections and immunization.
- Weeks 6-7: mental health, neurology, pain, self-care and special populations.
- Weeks 8-9: distribution, calculations, pharmacokinetics, law and ethics; first full timed mock.
- Weeks 10-11: drill your weakest topics and clear your mistakes bank; second full mock.
- Week 12: light review only, and rest the day before.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on PEBC Part I?
200 multiple-choice questions, of which 150 are scored and 50 are unscored pretest questions, in 260 minutes of testing time.
What is the passing score for PEBC Part I?
PEBC doesn't release a passing score. It uses a criterion-referenced standard and equating, so the number of correct answers needed varies with each exam's difficulty. Results are pass or fail.
Can I take PEBC Part I online?
Yes. Part I is offered at Prometric test centres or by remote proctoring. Check PEBC's current candidate information for the rules.
Is the Evaluating Examination still required?
No. The Pharmacist Evaluating Examination's last sitting was October 2026. International graduates now complete Document Evaluation and then go to Part I.
Official sources
- PEBC: Part I (MCQ)
- PEBC: Pharmacist Qualifying Examination Blueprint
- PEBC: Examination Dates and Fees
- PEBC: Examination Scoring and Results
Practice tests for these certifications
This guide is general information, checked November 2026, not legal advice. PEBC rules change; confirm with PEBC before you apply.
