ExCPT · 15% of the exam
Laws practice questions
10 free Laws questions for the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) exam, each with the correct answer and an explanation for every option.
What this domain covers
The federal laws and regulations a pharmacy technician works under, including controlled substances and patient privacy.
- Exam weight
- 15%
- On a real exam
- ≈ 18 questions
- In our bank
- 92 questions
Topics that come up most
- Controlled substance schedules and handling
- HIPAA and patient privacy
- Prescription validity requirements
- Record keeping
- Federal agencies and their roles
How to study it
Know which agency enforces what (DEA, FDA, state boards) and the schedule rules; these are tested by recall.
Sample Laws questions
Try each one before opening the answer. Original questions written to the official exam objectives.
Question 1
Single-ingredient codeine sulfate tablets are in which DEA schedule?
- ASchedule II
- BSchedule III
- CSchedule V
- DNot controlled
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A) Schedule II
- ACorrect. Combination products with limited codeine may be in lower schedules.
- BIncorrect. That's codeine combination tablets.
- CIncorrect. That's some codeine cough syrups.
- DIncorrect. Codeine is controlled.
Question 2
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is stocked in the pharmacy's controlled-substance vault. Which of these opioids is in a DIFFERENT federal DEA schedule from hydromorphone?
- AOxycodone
- BFentanyl
- CMethadone
- DBuprenorphine
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) Buprenorphine
Hydromorphone is Schedule II (21 CFR 1308.12), along with oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone. Buprenorphine is Schedule III.
- AIncorrect. Oxycodone is a Schedule II opiate under 21 CFR 1308.12, the same schedule as hydromorphone.
- BIncorrect. Fentanyl is a Schedule II opiate under 21 CFR 1308.12, the same schedule as hydromorphone.
- CIncorrect. Methadone is a Schedule II opiate under 21 CFR 1308.12, the same schedule as hydromorphone.
- DCorrect. Buprenorphine is a Schedule III narcotic under 21 CFR 1308.13. Hydromorphone is Schedule II.
Question 3
After an emergency oral Schedule II prescription is filled, the prescriber must deliver a written or electronic prescription within:
- A1 year
- B72 hours
- C30 days
- D7 days
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) 7 days
- AIncorrect. The limit is 7 days.
- BIncorrect. The federal limit is 7 days.
- CIncorrect. The limit is 7 days.
- DCorrect. The pharmacy notifies DEA if it isn't received.
Question 4
Under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, child-resistant containers must be hard to open for children of what age?
- AUnder 18 years
- BUnder 12 years
- CUnder 5 years
- DUnder 1 year only
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Under 5 years
- AIncorrect. The standard is under 5.
- BIncorrect. The standard is under 5.
- CCorrect. They are tested to be significantly difficult for children under 5.
- DIncorrect. The standard is under 5.
Question 5
Under the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, the daily retail purchase limit of pseudoephedrine base is:
- ANo limit
- B9 grams
- C1 gram
- D3.6 grams
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D) 3.6 grams
- AIncorrect. Limits apply.
- BIncorrect. That's the 30-day limit.
- CIncorrect. The daily limit is 3.6 g.
- DCorrect. A monthly limit also applies.
Question 6
Under HIPAA, which document tells patients how the pharmacy may use their health information?
- ADrug Facts label
- BMedication Guide
- CPrivacy notice
- DDEA Form 41 record
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Privacy notice
- AIncorrect. That is OTC labeling.
- BIncorrect. That explains drug risks.
- CCorrect. Patients receive the Notice of Privacy Practices.
- DIncorrect. That records destruction of controlled drugs.
Question 7
The Orphan Drug Act encourages development of drugs for:
- AChildren only
- BRare diseases
- CAnimals
- DOTC sale
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Rare diseases
- AIncorrect. It's for rare diseases.
- BCorrect. It offers incentives such as market exclusivity.
- CIncorrect. It's for rare human diseases.
- DIncorrect. It's for rare diseases.
Question 8
An oncology patient brings in a prescription for Marinol (dronabinol in sesame oil, soft gelatin capsules) for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Under federal law, which schedule is this product in?
- ASchedule I
- BSchedule II
- CSchedule III
- DSchedule IV
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) Schedule III
Dronabinol in sesame-oil soft gelatin capsules (Marinol) is Schedule III under 21 CFR 1308.13. The FDA-approved dronabinol oral solution is Schedule II under 21 CFR 1308.12.
- AIncorrect. Schedule I still covers cannabis substances such as synthetic THC that are outside an FDA-approved product. This FDA-approved dronabinol capsule product, however, is specifically listed in Schedule III under 21 CFR 1308.13.
- BIncorrect. 21 CFR 1308.12 places dronabinol in an FDA-approved oral solution (Syndros) in Schedule II. The sesame-oil soft gelatin capsule is in a different schedule.
- CCorrect. 21 CFR 1308.13 lists synthetic dronabinol in sesame oil, encapsulated in a soft gelatin capsule in an FDA-approved product, as Schedule III.
- DIncorrect. Dronabinol capsules are not listed in Schedule IV. The FDA-approved sesame-oil capsule is Schedule III.
Question 9
A 503B outsourcing facility differs from a traditional (503A) compounding pharmacy because it:
- AOnly fills retail prescriptions
- BIt can't compound sterile products of any kind for hospitals
- CIt makes larger batches without prescriptions, under CGMP
- DIsn't regulated
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C) It makes larger batches without prescriptions, under CGMP
- AIncorrect. It compounds in larger batches.
- BIncorrect. It often makes sterile products.
- CCorrect. It registers with the FDA.
- DIncorrect. It's FDA-regulated.
Question 10
An FDA-designated 'interchangeable' biosimilar may be:
- ANever substituted
- BSubstituted without prescriber involvement, where allowed
- CSold OTC
- DUsed only in research settings under an FDA investigational permit
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B) Substituted without prescriber involvement, where allowed
- AIncorrect. Interchangeability allows substitution.
- BCorrect. It's similar to generic substitution.
- CIncorrect. It still needs a prescription.
- DIncorrect. It's approved for patients.
Laws: FAQs
How much of the ExCPT exam is Laws?
Laws is 15% of the ExCPT exam by the official exam guide's weighting, which on a 120-question form works out to roughly 18 questions. The real exam's exact split varies by form.
What does the Laws domain cover?
The federal laws and regulations a pharmacy technician works under, including controlled substances and patient privacy.
How should I study Laws for ExCPT?
Know which agency enforces what (DEA, FDA, state boards) and the schedule rules; these are tested by recall.
Where can I practise more Laws questions?
This page has 10 free Laws questions with answers. The ExamWize ExCPT question bank has 92 questions in this domain. Every practice exam result breaks your score down by domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Other ExCPT topics
- Role, Responsibilities, and General Duties of the Pharmacy Technician15% of the exam
- Drugs and Drug Therapy13% of the exam
- Dispensing Process43% of the exam
- Medication and Patient Safety and Quality Assurance14% of the exam
Also: 15 free questions across all topics, the ExCPT cheat sheet and the study guide.
Get Laws exam-ready
The full ExCPT bank has 92 Laws questions. Timed practice exams match the real exam's length and domain weights, every result shows your score per domain, and Review Mode re-drills the questions you missed.
Not affiliated with NHA; questions are original, written from the official exam outline, and never copied from the real exam.