Sterile processing training, CRCST preparation, and career support

Learn the work. Prepare for the CRCST. Move toward the field.

The Sterile Process gives aspiring technicians a connected path from foundational education to exam-style practice, active recall, and career-readiness support.

Find your starting pointSee student outcomes
Built from experience12 years working in sterile processing
Student-centered guidance3 years helping people enter the career
See real outcomesMeet students who moved forward

What we do

The right support for your next step.

Start with complete training, strengthen your exam preparation, or get focused help moving toward the workforce. Each path has its own page with clear details and next steps.

01

CRCST Training Program

Structured self-paced education for students who need the complete sterile processing learning path.

Explore the program02

CRCST Practice Exams and Recall Flashcards

Interactive study tools for students who already have a foundation and need focused exam preparation and active recall.

Preview the Study Hub03

Career-Readiness Support

Resume, interview, job-search, outreach, and 400-hour pathway guidance for the move into the workforce.

Explore Career Launch

Need program info?

Start here before requesting more info.

The main program details and 25-question diagnostic are available on the site so you can choose the right next step without waiting for a separate explanation. Phone appointments are scheduled after the right pathway is selected.

I am not sureTake the 25-question diagnosticFor visitors who need help deciding between the full program, study tools, or career support.I am brand newView the Self-Paced CRCST ProgramFor students who need structured training, exam preparation, and career-readiness guidance.I am studying for the examCompare Quiz Studio and FlashcardsFor students who already have a foundation and need practice, recall, and score tracking.I need 400-hour or job helpExplore Career LaunchFor resume, interview, outreach, job-search, and next-step strategy support.

Inside the department

Precision, responsibility, and a process that never skips steps.

Sterile processing technicians support patient safety behind the scenes. Their work helps ensure reusable medical devices are properly cleaned, inspected, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored, and ready when clinical teams need them.

DecontaminationReceive, sort, clean, and disinfect used devices.Inspection and assemblyCheck instruments and rebuild procedure sets accurately.Packaging and sterilizationPrepare items and monitor validated sterilization cycles.Storage and distributionProtect sterile items and deliver them where needed.

Career and pay

See wage information near you.

Federal wage data groups sterile processing technicians under Medical Equipment Preparers. Your actual pay may vary by employer, experience, certification, shift, and location.

Opens official O*NET wage information in a new tab.

Find local openings

Search sterile processing jobs near you.

See what employers are hiring in your area, then use The Sterile Process to prepare for the exam, interviews, and the 400-hour pathway.

Search tipTry several job titles: sterile processing technician, central sterile technician, sterile processing tech, and SPD technician.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers about entering sterile processing.

Do I need to request more info before enrolling?

Most students can review the program details, use the 25-question diagnostic, confirm fit, and begin the enrollment intake without a call. Phone appointments are scheduled after the right pathway is selected.

Which option should I choose if I am brand new?

Start with the Self-Paced CRCST Program if you need structured sterile processing education, CRCST preparation, and career-readiness guidance from the beginning.

What does a sterile processing technician do?

Sterile processing technicians receive contaminated reusable devices, clean and disinfect them, inspect and assemble instrument sets, prepare packages, operate and monitor sterilization equipment, maintain records, and manage sterile inventory for patient care.

Do I need certification to work in sterile processing?

Requirements vary by state and employer. Some employers hire entry-level technicians and allow time to earn certification, while others require certification before hire. Review local job postings and confirm requirements directly with employers.

What are the CRCST 400 hours?

HSPA requires qualifying hands-on experience for full CRCST certification. Candidates may qualify through provisional or full certification pathways depending on when those hours are completed. HSPA determines eligibility and whether submitted hours meet its requirements.

How much do sterile processing technicians earn?

Pay varies by location, employer, shift, experience, certification, and responsibility. Use the salary finder below to review current federal wage information for your area.

Where do sterile processing technicians work?

Common workplaces include hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dental facilities, clinics, endoscopy departments, and organizations that reprocess reusable medical devices.

Does The Sterile Process guarantee certification or employment?

No. The Sterile Process provides education, exam preparation, study tools, and career-readiness support. HSPA makes certification decisions, and employers make hiring decisions.