PTCE Reference
PTCB Exam Cost & Retake Fees, Explained
A concrete reference for what the PTCE costs — including retakes — and the waiting-period rules if you don’t pass on your first try.
What the PTCE costs
Each attempt at the PTCE costs $129, paid directly to PTCB when you schedule your exam. That fee is the same whether it’s your first attempt or a retake — there’s no discounted “retake rate.”
This is the exam fee only; it doesn’t include any training program, study materials, or application fees a state may separately require for registration or licensure.
What happens (cost-wise) if you don’t pass
If you don’t pass, you’ll need to pay the $129 fee again to retake — PTCB doesn’t offer a free or reduced-cost retake. There’s no mandatory waiting period before your 2nd or 3rd attempt, so you can schedule and pay for a retake as soon as you feel ready.
After a 3rd unsuccessful attempt, PTCB requires a 6-month waiting period before you can attempt a 4th time. That waiting period is about timing, not cost — the fee for a 4th attempt is still $129.
Budgeting for more than one attempt
If you’re not confident you’ll pass on the first try, it’s worth planning for the possibility of a second $129 fee rather than being caught off guard by it. That’s not a reason to rush into a first attempt underprepared — it’s a reason to take practice exams seriously before you schedule, so a retake (if needed) is the exception, not the plan.
In 2025, 69% of PTCE candidates passed — a useful data point, but not a guarantee for any individual candidate, since pass rates reflect the whole candidate pool, not your specific preparation.
Frequently asked
How much does the PTCB exam cost?
$129 per attempt.
Does a retake cost less than the first attempt?
No. PTCB charges the same $129 fee for every attempt, including retakes.
Is there a waiting period before I can retake the PTCE?
No mandatory wait before a 2nd or 3rd attempt. After a 3rd unsuccessful attempt, PTCB requires a 6-month wait before a 4th.
Are there other costs besides the exam fee?
Possibly — some states charge separate registration or licensure fees, and training programs have their own costs. The $129 is specifically PTCB’s exam fee.
Want to walk in prepared enough that a retake isn’t part of the plan? Prepare once, confidently, with ELORA’s CPhT guide