How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician (2026 Guide)

What a sterile processing technician does

Sterile processing technicians clean, inspect, assemble, package and sterilize the surgical instruments and medical devices used in operating rooms and clinics. The work happens in the hospital's sterile processing department, sometimes called central service or central sterile.

A normal shift moves through decontamination (cleaning dirty instruments), the prep and pack area (inspecting and assembling instrument sets), sterilization (running steam and low-temperature sterilizers and checking indicators) and sterile storage and distribution. Mistakes can reach a patient, so accuracy and following procedure matter more than speed.

Step 1: Get into a sterile processing department

The CRCST certification requires real hands-on hours, so the first goal is getting into an SPD. There are three common routes:

• Get hired as a trainee. Many hospitals hire entry-level sterile processing techs and train them on the job. This is the fastest route and you're paid while you earn your hours.
• Take a sterile processing course with an externship. Community colleges and training programs often include clinical hours in a hospital SPD. HSPA does not require a course, but a course can help you get placed.
• Volunteer. HSPA accepts paid or volunteer hours, as long as a supervisor documents them.

Step 2: Earn the 400 hands-on hours

HSPA requires 400 hours of hands-on experience in a sterile processing department, split across specific areas:

For full certification the hours must be completed within the past 5 years. See our CRCST requirements guide for the details.

Step 3: Pass the CRCST exam

You don't have to finish your hours before testing. HSPA lets you take the exam first and earn provisional certification, then submit your 400 hours within 6 months. That's useful because many employers want to see you've passed before they hire you.

The exam has 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored, 25 unscored pretest questions) and a 3-hour time limit. It's taken on a computer at a Prometric testing center and costs $140. In 2025, 65.6% of test takers passed, so about one in three failed. Start with a free CRCST practice test to see where you stand.

Step 4: Keep your certification current

CRCST must be renewed every year with 12 continuing education credits and a $50 annual fee. See CRCST recertification.

How much sterile processing technicians make

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups sterile processing technicians under "medical equipment preparers." O*NET, which uses BLS data, lists a 2025 median wage of $22.93 an hour, or $47,700 a year, with employment growth much faster than average. Pay is highest in California, Washington DC, Alaska, New Jersey and Delaware. More in our salary guide.

FAQ

How long does it take to become a sterile processing technician?

It depends mostly on how fast you get your 400 hands-on hours. Full time, 400 hours is about 10 weeks of work. Many people get hired as trainees, pass the CRCST exam, then finish their hours within the 6-month provisional window.

Do you need a degree to be a sterile processing technician?

No. HSPA's CRCST certification requires 400 hours of hands-on experience and a passing exam score, not a degree. A course is optional.

Can I take the CRCST exam without experience?

Yes. You can pass the exam first and receive provisional certification, then complete and submit your 400 hours within 6 months. One 2-month extension is available.

Is sterile processing certification required?

In seven states it is required by law: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Delaware and Minnesota (for hires after 2027). Elsewhere it's not legally required, but many hospitals require it or pay more for it.