CRCST stands for Certified Registered Central Service Technician. To earn certification, you must pass the HSPA exam and complete 400 hours of hands-on experience. Study guides, flashcards, and online courses can help you prepare.
CRCST is offered by HSPA, while CBSPD is a separate organization offering the SPD Technician exam. Both are nationally recognized and require different exam formats and study strategies.
Most technicians spend 1–3 months studying for the CRCST or CBSPD exam, depending on experience. Study plans with practice tests and flashcards help speed up learning.
Yes, HSPA offers a provisional CRCST certification if you pass the exam before completing 400 hours. You'll need to complete those hours within 6 months after passing.
Online training offers flexibility and self-paced study, while in-person training may include direct hands-on practice. Certification exams are the same regardless of training format.
The most effective study methods include using flashcards, practice tests, and structured study guides that follow the HSPA textbook outline.
Yes, practice exams simulate real test conditions and help identify weak areas. They're one of the best tools for boosting confidence and improving scores.
Yes! TheSterileGuy.com offers free CRCST and CBSPD practice exams designed to reflect real test formats and reinforce exam readiness.
All flashcards, quizzes, and course content are regularly updated to reflect the latest HSPA and CBSPD exam guidelines for 2025.
Sterile processing technicians clean, sterilize, assemble, and distribute surgical instruments in hospitals and clinics. They're essential for patient safety and infection control.
The average salary ranges from $45,000–$55,000 annually, depending on certification, location, and years of experience.
Yes, it offers strong job stability, opportunities for advancement, and plays a critical role in surgical safety. Certification boosts your chances of getting hired.
The SP 101 prep course includes video lessons, a community forum, downloadable worksheets, and full-length practice exams aligned with HSPA exam objectives.
While not required, the HSPA textbook is recommended. My test prep materials are structured to complement it, making studying more efficient.
My CRCST and CBSPD flashcards are physical. When the physicql product sells out they will become digital.
Courses are hosted through the members portal. After checkout, you’ll receive an email with access instructions and login credentials.
Yes, all courses and materials are self-paced and accessible 24/7 on desktop and mobile.
I took the practice test and I got a 91% on my certification exam!!
This course was the extra boost that I needed in order be confident in passing the exam. Thank you for all the information provided. I even refer to your notes while working.
Very helpful to me I can study any where at my own pace and low cost than going to school...I'm glad that there is something like this online to help anyone who want to pursue their career as a sterile processing tech.
I loved it, it’s very informative and the questions are great, it’s a great resource to purchase if you want to prepare for your certification exam!
I’ve really enjoyed this course so far. It delivers the information in a straightforward, digestible way. The Sterile Guy has compiled a highly effective program. Thanks very much from one highly satisfied customer!
The practice exams are detailed and easy to navigate. Brandon continues to show his passion in this industry by sharing his knowledge with up-and-coming techs. I also recommend investing in his flashcards. It has helped me greatly. Thank you, Brandon!,
These practice quizzes really helped me get the hang of answering questions related to instruments and the processes of preparing them! I even bought them twice cause I ran out of time lol. Super helpful!
I recently completed the Sterile Processing Guy course online and was extremely impressed. The content was clear, well-organized, and easy to follow. It helped me better understand important concepts like decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization. I appreciated how practical and informative the lessons were, it definitely made studying for certification feel more manageable. I highly recommend this course to anyone pursuing a career in sterile processing!
I won’t lie, I failed the first time around. So I decided to buy this practice test and I passed with flying colors my second go. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the CER, it helped a lot!
The flash card quality is amazing! Bravo sir! The card quality is way above average, questions are great! I’m still learning, utilizing these cards and your practice tests. Thanks for all the info!
I passed the CRCST exam. Taking reg sterile guy practice test over and over definitely helped get the job done.
This certification prep course is a must. Great videos with a lot of information and plenty of of practice exams.
These flashcards are so helpful and well put together. Highly recommend!
I'm really happy that I purchased the SP practice exam. I love how if you answer the question incorrectly, the correct answer will include the page number of the text book to find the answer. The questions are literally based on the textbook. I suggested "The Sterile Processing Guy" to my friend that is studying for the exam as well.
Hi There, My name is Brandon, also known as "The Sterile Guy." Besides my over 20 years of experience in the fields of Sterile Processing, Surgical Technology, and Infection Prevention, my most important focus is advancing the career fields of Sterile Processing and Surgical Technicians. SPD techs & OR techs are vital to the success of any medical procedure whether in the Operating Room or outlying clinics.
My goal is to equip SPD techs & OR techs with the knowledge, experience, and certifications they need to acquire the pay, benefits, and recognition they deserve. I started off simply producing YouTube videos teaching different aspects of each career field. During that time I was repeatedly asked to create materials to help others learn and achieve certifications. So that is what I did, and that is what this entire website is dedicated to. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have by clicking the message button at the bottom right of the screen and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for checking out the website, and I wish you nothing but success! ~Brandon