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Sterile Processing Tech Certification

By Allison Skoglind, allied health world contributing writer
Published: March, 14 2011

What’s the benefit of becoming certified as a sterile processing technician?

The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) is the premier certification agency that offers examinations for sterile processing technicians in the United States, and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Although certification for SPTs is not legally required (except in the state of New Jersey), becoming certified is a great way to gain national recognition as a highly educated and competent professional in the field. Those awarded certification have shown a strong aptitude in many important aspects of surgical processing and distribution, including: professional roles and responsibilities, life sciences, decontamination, preparation and handling, sterilization, and sterile storage, inventory management and distribution. As a result, employers generally prefer to hire these certified health care professionals. Therefore, SPT's that prove an occupational commitment to quality service by achieving national certification often benefit from greater job opportunities and potentially higher salaries.

Learn more about sterile processing technician salaries.

How do SPTs qualify for certification?

Before SPTs can apply for the CBSPD examination that leads to sterile processing tech certification, certain eligibility requirements must be met. Currently, there are four different ways that SPTs can qualify to sit for examination:

1. Complete the equivalent of one year of full-time employment working as a SPT
2. Graduate with a 70% or higher score from a formal central service or sterile processing technician training program.
3. Complete an SPD-related allied health academic program along with six months of SPD practice
4. Acquire one year of work experience in SPD sales and/or service.

After satisfying just one of these qualifying conditions, SPTs can take the CBSPD examination. The examination application is available through the CBSPD website. This certification examination is offered four times annually and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. Only those that receive a score of 70% or higher will be granted board certification; however, there is no limit to how many times the examination can be taken. The CBSPD offers study materials for those preparing for examination. The CBSPD also offers additional certifications for other sterile processing and distribution professionals such as surgical instrumentation processors, flexible endoscope reprocessors, ambulatory surgery technicians, supervisors, and managers.

What is the recertification process for sterile processing technicians?

All sterile processing technicians must renew certification every five years through either re-examination by the CBSPD or engaging in continuing education activities. Sterile processing technicians that prefer to maintain certification through the completion of continuing education activities must participate in structured and documented activities that are directly related to professional development. Some examples of CBSPD-approved continuing education activities include, but are not limited to: college courses, work experience, involvement in a professional organization, presentations, literary publications, and contributing test questions to the CBSPD for future certification examinations. Each continuing education activity is awarded a point value as determined by the CBSPD and all SPTs must earn 100 points to maintain certification. However, sterile processing technicians can substitute fifty of these required continuing education points by completing five years of full-time employment. The cost of recertification for SPTs is $100.