The 400 hours, by area
HSPA requires the hours to be split across five areas, on a paid or volunteer basis, in a sterile processing department. The task examples below are from HSPA's own application form; they are a guide, not an exhaustive list. Sources: HSPA: CRCST certification, HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026)
| Area | Hours | Example tasks (from the HSPA application) |
|---|---|---|
| Decontamination | 120 | Daily quality-control testing, selecting solutions and cleaning tools, washer checks, sorting complex instrumentation, reading manufacturers' IFUs, selecting washer cycles, ultrasonic and mechanical cleaning |
| Preparing & packaging | 120 | Identifying, inspecting and testing instruments; inspecting containers and wraps; assembly; packaging with pouches, flat wraps and rigid containers; labeling |
| Sterilization & disinfection | 120 | High- and low-temperature sterilization, logging and record keeping (including biological indicators), manual and automated disinfection, troubleshooting aborted or failed cycles and wet loads, sterilizer checks |
| Storage & distribution | 24 | Handling sterile supplies, rotating stock, inventory and par levels, event-related shelf life, cleaning storage shelves, case cart assembly and pick lists |
| Quality assurance | 16 | Interpreting IFUs, standards and policies, documentation, sterilizer/washer/HLD testing, routine maintenance guides, equipment tracking |
- The hours must have been earned within the past 5 years.
- A manager or supervisor in the department documents and signs for them. For provisional candidates, HSPA says the hours must be witnessed and signed by someone in a managerial position above you, and you cannot fill in that part of the form yourself.
- HSPA does not provide placement: finding a department is up to you. A trainee job is one way to get both a department and the hours: 16 entry-level listings live now
Full vs provisional CRCST
| Full certification (HSPA recommends) | Provisional certification | |
|---|---|---|
| When you log the hours | All 400 before you apply for the exam | Within 6 months after passing |
| Status after passing | CRCST | Provisional CRCST, full CRCST once hours are approved |
| If you miss the deadline | n/a | Provisional certification is forfeited; you must retake (and pay for) the exam |
| Extension | n/a | One-time 2 months, only if you're already working or volunteering in an SP department; your manager/supervisor must request it before expiry |
Sources: HSPA: CRCST certification, HSPA: What is Provisional Certification?, HSPA Provisional Extension Request form
The exam
- Format: 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions mixed in at random. 3 hours. Computer-based at Prometric test centers; an optional 15-minute tutorial comes first.
- Scheduling: offered year-round. Once your application is approved you have 120 days to schedule and sit the exam.
- Fee: $140 per attempt.
- Content: seven knowledge domains: departmental considerations; cleaning, decontamination and disinfection; preparation and packaging; sterilization process; sterile storage, transport and inventory management; patient care equipment and distribution; professional development and human relation skills. HSPA publishes the weighting in its exam content outline.
- Prep: HSPA says a prep course is optional: you can apply directly.
Source: HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026)
After you pass: renewal
The CRCST is renewed every year: 12 continuing-education credits on technical SP topics, plus a $50 annual renewal fee. Several states also require 10 hours of CE a year by law; see certification by state. Source: HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026)
A realistic timeline
| Step | Full route | Provisional route |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on hours | 10 weeks at 40 h/week (before applying) | Up to 6 months after the exam |
| Application to exam | Up to 120 days | Up to 120 days |
Durations from HSPA; "10 weeks" is our arithmetic (400 ÷ 40).
Compare with the CBSPD route in CRCST vs CBSPD, and practise talking through these task areas with our interview questions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the CRCST exam before I finish my 400 hours?
Yes. HSPA lets you test as a provisional candidate. You then have six months after passing to submit documentation of the 400 hours, or the certification is revoked. Source: HSPA: Can I take the CRCST exam before I've completed my 400 hours?.
Can the 400 hours be volunteer hours?
Yes. HSPA says the hours must be completed in a sterile processing department on a paid or volunteer basis, and HSPA does not provide placement. Source: HSPA: CRCST certification.
Can I get an extension on provisional CRCST?
HSPA offers a one-time, 2-month extension only if you are already working or volunteering in an SP department; your department manager or supervisor must request it before the provisional period expires. Source: HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026).
How many questions are on the CRCST exam?
150 multiple-choice questions, 125 of them scored, with 3 hours to finish. It is computer-based at Prometric test centers. Source: HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026).
How long are the 400 hours valid?
HSPA's application says the 400 hours must have been earned within the past 5 years. Source: HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026).
Sources
- HSPA: CRCST certification
- HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026)
- HSPA: Can I take the CRCST exam before I've completed my 400 hours?
- HSPA: What is Provisional Certification?
- HSPA Provisional Extension Request form
SterileShift is not affiliated with HSPA, CBSPD or the BLS. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm on the official sites before you apply or pay for anything.