Program Details
Format100% Online
Course Access12 Months
Exam PreparationHSPA CRCST
Included with EnrollmentCRCST Exam Voucher
UT San Antonio PaCE · Online Career Training
Online Sterile Processing Technician Training
Prepare for the CRCST certification exam.
Begin a healthcare career helping prevent infection. This 100% online course teaches you to clean, process, assemble, sterilize, store, and distribute medical instruments and supplies. Prepare for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).
Questions? Call (855) 477-9802.
Prepare for an Essential Healthcare Role
Build the knowledge to help healthcare teams maintain clean, safe, and ready-to-use medical instruments.
01Support Infection Prevention
Learn the procedures and standards used to decontaminate, disinfect, and sterilize medical instruments and supplies.
02Understand Processing Workflow
Explore instrument identification, tray assembly, preparation and packaging, sterile storage, and inventory management.
03Prepare for the CRCST Exam
Study the role and responsibilities of a sterile processing technician. Your enrollment includes a voucher for the HSPA CRCST exam.
What Does a Sterile Processing Technician Do?
Sterile processing technicians, also known as central service technicians, help prevent infection by preparing medical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in patient care.
These professionals support central processing and surgical services departments by following procedures for cleaning, inspection, sterilization, storage, and distribution.
Key Responsibilities
- Clean and decontaminate reusable medical instruments.
- Inspect instruments and assemble surgical trays.
- Prepare and package instruments for sterilization.
- Follow sterilization and disinfection procedures.
- Store and distribute sterile supplies and equipment.
- Manage inventory and maintain processing records.
What You’ll Learn
Build a foundation in medical terminology and the standards, procedures, and professional skills used in sterile processing.
- Define the sterile processor role, responsibilities, professional skill set, and communication expectations (including accurate use of medical terminology and anatomy) required in the central processing and surgical services departments
- Discuss basic procedures and best practices for each phase of sterile processing, including decontamination, inspection, preparation, and sterilization of medical instruments and supplies
- Describe how to adhere to compliance when handling documentation and maintaining records
- Understand all the tasks related to the role and responsibilities of an SPT
- Describe how to adhere to compliance when handling documentation and maintaining records
- Identify sterile processing regulations and standards provided by regulatory agencies and professional associations to ensure workplace safety, infection prevention, and proper support for the ancillary departments
- Discuss the importance of following procedures to care for loaner instruments and manage inventory while using information management systems
- Understand sterile storage considerations, guidelines, concerns, and common quality assurance procedures in the sterile processing department
- Explain the importance of effective communication, human relations, and personal development and how improving these skills can impact the career of a sterile processing technician
Sterile Processing Technician FAQs
What is CRCST certification?
The Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) credential is offered by HSPA. It recognizes technicians who meet the knowledge, experience, and skills requirements for competence in sterile processing.
Is the certification exam voucher included?
Yes. A voucher for the HSPA CRCST exam is included in the cost of this course. You must meet HSPA’s applicable requirements to earn the credential.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You will have 12 months of course access to complete your online training, which includes Medical Terminology and Sterile Processing Technician coursework.
Does online coursework complete the certification requirements?
Full CRCST certification also requires documented hands-on experience. Review the certification section below and HSPA’s current requirements when planning your training.
Job Outlook for Sterile Processing Technicians
Sterile processing is included in the Medical Equipment Preparers occupation tracked by the U.S. Department of Labor.
$47,700
National Median Annual Pay
O*NET reports a national median annual wage of $47,700 for medical equipment preparers, using 2025 BLS wage data. Pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
10,900
Projected Annual Job Openings
O*NET reports approximately 10,900 annual openings for medical equipment preparers over 2024–2034, including openings created by growth and worker replacement.
Source: O*NET OnLine — Medical Equipment Preparers (31-9093.00), using BLS wage and employment projections data. These figures cover the broader occupation and are not a CRCST-only salary estimate.
Course Outline
You will have 12 months of course access to complete two areas of study: Medical Terminology and Sterile Processing Technician.
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Medical Terminology
Learn healthcare terminology while exploring the major body systems, diagnostic procedures, nuclear medicine, and pharmacology.
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Infection Control and Decontamination
Study infection prevention, standards and regulations, workplace safety, disinfection, and the care of complex instrumentation.
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Instrument Preparation and Sterilization
Explore instrument identification, tray assembly, preparation and packaging, sterilization, and low-temperature sterilization.
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Sterile Storage and Career Preparation
Learn about case carts, sterile storage, inventory management, and support for ancillary departments. Review the knowledge needed to prepare for your exam.
Prepare for the HSPA CRCST Exam
This course prepares you for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician exam offered by HSPA.
Hands-On Experience Required
Full CRCST certification requires a passing exam and 400 hours of documented experience in a sterile processing department. Qualifying hours may be completed within the five years before application, or documented within six months after passing the exam provisionally.
Students are responsible for fulfilling their clinical requirements. Students may apply for clinical experience after successful course completion, but placement is not guaranteed.
Review HSPA’s certification requirements to plan your certification pathway.
Registration
100% Online · 12 Months of Course Access
Take the next step toward a career in sterile processing. Complete your online training and prepare for the HSPA CRCST certification exam.
CRCST Exam Voucher Included
View current tuition, enrollment details, and course requirements by clicking below.
Meet the Instructors
Janice Brownlee
Janice “Jan” Brownlee has 43 years of experience as a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), working in hospitals and surgery centers. Her experience includes sterile processing instrument rooms, sterile supply areas, and operating rooms, with a particular interest in cardiothoracic, vascular, and orthopedic procedures.
Jan also worked with a private group of cardiothoracic surgeons as a surgical first assistant. She continues to share her experience by teaching surgical technology and sterile processing at a local community college.
Teresa Nicolich
Teresa J. Nicolich holds a Master of Science in Human Services Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies, with a minor in Communications & Journalism. She is a Certified Registered Central Service Technician through HSPA.
Teresa has 30 years of experience in healthcare central supply and sterile processing, including course development, education, instruction, orientation, and staff training and development.
Get More Information
Contact the PaCE team with questions about online sterile processing technician training.