Certified Registered Central Service Technician

By the end of the CRCST program, students should be able to:

• Describe the functions and workflow of the central service/sterile processing department.
• Trace the flow of instruments and supplies from point of use through decontamination, packaging, sterilization, storage, and distribution.
• Use correct medical terminology relevant to sterile processing.
• Apply infection prevention and environmental control principles to SPD operations.
• Practice safety, risk management, and quality assurance, including documentation and auditing
• Manage inventory, understand purchasing and stock rotation, and utilize information technology systems in a Sterile Processing Department.
• Identify basic and specialty surgical instruments by name, type, and function.
• Inspect, assemble, and prepare instrument trays and sets in accordance with standards.
• Differentiate between reusable and single-use devices and understand basic reprocessing considerations.
• Demonstrate competence in all major CRCST work domains during the 400-hour clinical practicum.
   

You can review the application process on our admissions page.

Because you will complete 400 hours inside a hospital sterile processing department, you must meet the same occupational health and safety standards as healthcare staff.

Typical requirements include:

Health & Immunization Documentation

• Proof of required immunizations or immunity (MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tdap, and others as specified by the clinical site)
• Annual influenza vaccination when required
• COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption, if required by clinical partners

Screenings & Clearances

• Recent TB screening
• Drug screen completed through an approved provider
• Background check (BCI/FBI) that meets hospital criteria

If clinical partners modify their requirements, the program will update students. Failure to meet clinical site requirements may prevent completion of the practicum, which is required for program completion and CRCST eligibility.

Institutional Accreditation

Collins Career Technical Center is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

Certification Preparation

This program is designed around the scope of practice defined by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) credential.

• CRCST certification recognizes technicians who have demonstrated the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to perform central service duties safely and effectively.
• HSPA requires candidates to pass the CRCST exam and complete 400 hours of documented work experience in sterile processing.
• CRCST is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

After successfully completing this program and documenting your hours, you may apply to HSPA to sit for the CRCST exam. Certification is granted and managed by HSPA, not by Collins CTC.

Length of Course

Classroom Instruction (January–February)

Monday–Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Clinical Practicum (March–June)

Monday–Thursday, 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Pathway to Surgical Technology

This program is intentionally scheduled so students can transition directly into our one-year Surgical Technology program, which begins each August and ends the following June.

Students who move into the Surgical Technology program have their application fee waived.

During the Central Service Technician Clinical Practicum, students participate in educational clinical experiences, not employment.

• Students are not counted as staff and may not replace paid employees.
• All tasks must be performed under supervision and aligned with program objectives.
• Clinical hours are logged and verified by the supervising department.

Completion of the practicum and hours is required to finish the program and to meet HSPA’s CRCST experience requirement.