Sterile Processing Technician Education & Training
How long does it take to become a Sterile Processing Technician?
Becoming a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) can vary widely depending on your education path, training opportunities, and how much time you can dedicate. Here's a quick breakdown:
🎓 1. Formal In-Person Education: Not required, but highly recommended
You don’t have to attend a formal program to pursue a career in sterile processing—but doing so could increase your ability to get hired.
- You’ll gain foundational knowledge in sterilization principles, instrument processing, infection prevention, and more.
- Employers often expect candidates to be familiar with central sterile supply concepts and best practices.
The downsides? Formal education is expensive and time consuming. Your life also needs to revolve around the schools scheduled program.
🏥 2. On-the-Job Training: Possible, but opportunities are shrinking
Some healthcare facilities still offer in-house training, allowing you to start working with minimal prior experience.
- If you're fortunate enough to find such a position, you could begin immediately.
- But be warned: these openings are dwindling, and most employers now prefer or require some type of formal training or certification.
💻 3. Online Accredited Training via Preppy
A 100% online, self-paced option with university accreditation.
- Hybrid timeframe: 4–6 months, depending on your pace.
- Includes externship, resume support, career platform access, and a path to national certification (CRCST).
- Affiliate link to Preppy: www.steriletechniciantraining.com
If you’re aiming for a recognized certificate and flexibility, this is a powerful option.
📚 4. Sterile Processing 101 Certification Prep Course (by Brandon “The Sterile Guy”)
A streamlined, cost-effective prep course designed to accelerate exam readiness.
- Timeframe: 1–2 months.
- Includes 15 modules, 53 video lessons, over 450 practice questions, quizzes, a full certification mock exam, easy access via app and free Surgical Instrument eBook.
- Perfect whether you already know the basics and want to get certified quickly, or you’re just starting out and wanting to learn the field of Sterile Processing.
⏳ 5. Comparison Summary
|
Route |
Time to Completion |
Features |
|
On-the-job training |
Immediate start (if available) |
No prep; good for those who land a spot—but rare! |
|
Preppy (accredited) |
4–6 months |
University-backed, includes certification exam prep, externship, career support |
|
Sterile Processing 101 |
1–2 months |
Intensive mock exams, video modules, aligned with HSPA standards |
⚠️ 6. Why training matters
- Without any training, knowledge, or experience, your chances of passing an interview drop drastically.
- Hiring managers typically expect at least a foundational understanding of aseptic technique, hospital protocols, and sterilization procedures—even for entry-level roles.
- Training isn’t just résumé padding—it signals commitment, competence, and readiness.
✅ Final Thoughts
- On‑the‑job training: Quickest route, but rare and increasingly unavailable.
- Preppy’s accredited program: Best for recognized certification and structured learning (4–6 months).
- Sterile Processing 101: Fast, budget-friendly prep to pass certification (1–2 months).
- Untrained applicants: Poor prospects unless you quickly remedy the foundational gap.
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Let customers speak for us
from 169 reviewsI’m learning so many things while watching the videos and doing practice tests after each lesson! I was worried about not being able to grasp anything but the tests after each lesson really solidify the information I learned! Thank you so much for this way of teaching!
I purchased the course, the index cards and the extra quizzes. I don't have the book nor did I take any classes or go to any programs. My schedule was too busy, so I self studied with Brandon's incredible bundles. I HIGHLY recommend his course and the extra quizzes were chef's kiss.
PS: the combination of the course outline, the cheat sheets AND the videos is the key to really understanding the material. Thanks Brandon!
Very comprehensive and scholarly presented . Kudos Brandon!
The practice test really helped prepare for the certification test!
Hi these cards are of quality and value easy to learn and just amazing thanks
I just registered class about one week ago, and finished two modules. I have to say this 101 class make the process of preparing the CRCST exam much more easier. I mean each module is kind of short but full of necessary information for the exam and follow up with some practice questions with an answer page. I also have flash cards on the way, cannot wait to see it!!! I am planning to take my exam no later than August probably in the middle of August, hope I can pass it on my first attempt. 🙏
I took my test today for my provisional and I PASSSED! I bought the flash card bundle. I can say honestly your flash cards seem like a lot of hard work went into them. I’ll be honest i didn’t really use them as much but i found your practice test very helpful. I would take them every two weeks and it helped me a lot on my test. So thank you very much.
Taking my CIS in July. These are a very good study guide. Thank You.
I felt pretty confident going into my CIS exam, but I wanted some extra reassurance so I decided to purchase the practice exam. Not only did it give me peace of mind, it also showed me where I could use a little extra last minute studying. The questions felt true to the test and were far better than any of the free study options. 10/10 would recommend!
I really loved this practice exam, it helped me a lot in preparing for my CIS exam. I especially appreciated how the practice exams are linked with the HSPA CIS book, providing page numbers to review whenever you choose an incorrect answer. This feature made it easy to revisit and understand the material better.
I really loved this practice exam, it helped me a lot in preparing for my CER exam. I especially appreciated how the practice exams are linked with the HSPA CER book, providing page numbers to review whenever you choose an incorrect answer. This feature made it easy to revisit and understand the material better.
Fast shipping and excellent customer service..love how informative you are and everything is very detailed on
I will recommend anyone trying to site for his or her endoscopy certificate examination to get the book it will indeed help you thanks
Update: thanks so much I received my digital copy
The practice questions gave me full insight of what will come out of exam. Thanks sterile guy for putting this together. Amazing work. I will. Buy another package again for my CIS.
