Healthcare training

Sterile Processing Technician Training

Learn what sterile processing technicians do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Enroll nowView syllabus
What you’ll learn in Sterile Processing Technician training

A practical, general introduction to the sterile processing technician job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as decontaminate surgical instruments and assemble and wrap an instrument tray, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 10 hours, $89.99.

  • Tuition
    $89.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    10 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what a sterile processing technician does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential sterile processing technician terms correctly
  • Walk through decontaminate surgical instruments, assemble and wrap an instrument tray, and run and document a steam sterilizer load step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 10 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Sterile Processing Technician Role50 min
  • What sterile processing technicians do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job35 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Sterile Processing Technician Vocabulary1 hr
  • Key term: Decontamination
  • Key term: Bioburden
  • Key term: Sterilization
  • Key term: Autoclave
  • Key term: IFU
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities1 hr
  • Collect and decontaminate used instruments and devices
  • Inspect instruments for cleanliness, function and damage
  • Assemble instrument trays using count sheets
  • Package and label items for sterilization
  • Operate steam and low-temperature sterilizers
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step2 hr 10 min
  • How to decontaminate surgical instruments
  • How to assemble and wrap an instrument tray
  • How to run and document a steam sterilizer load
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology50 min
  • Washer-disinfectors and ultrasonic cleaners
  • Steam autoclaves
  • Low-temperature sterilizers (hydrogen peroxide)
  • Lighted magnifiers
  • Biological and chemical indicators
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr 10 min
  • Wear full PPE in decontamination
  • Handle sharps and heavy trays carefully
  • Protect yourself from steam burns when unloading sterilizers
  • Follow chemical safety data sheets for detergents and sterilants
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For50 min
  • Decontamination procedures
  • Instrument identification
  • Tray assembly and count sheets
  • Attention to detail
  • Reliability
MODULE 09Launching Your Sterile Processing Technician Career50 min
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)
  • Credential overview: Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check50 min
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the sterile processing technician job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new sterile processing technician.

Pricing

$89.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Sterile processing technicians decontaminate, inspect, assemble and sterilize surgical instruments and medical devices, and track them so every procedure has safe, complete trays. BLS reports a median wage of $47,700 (May 2025) and about 10,700 openings per year. Read the full sterile processing technician career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Sterile Processing Technician Training

Fill this out and press the button: your email app will open with a pre-filled message to our enrollment team (info@hazwoper-osha.com). We reply with a payment link or invoice and your learning-platform login. Nothing you type is stored on this website.

Course Sterile Processing Technician Training · 10 hours · $89.99 per learner

We currently serve U.S. residents only.
Got a code from your school, college, employer or organization? Enter it to save 10%.

Prefer to call? 1-866-429-6742 · Email info@hazwoper-osha.com

Your email app should now be open with your request. Just press send. If nothing opened, copy the message below and email it to info@hazwoper-osha.com (cc hasan@hazwoper-osha.com).





Sterile Processing Technician training FAQ
How long is the Sterile Processing Technician training?
About 10 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.
How much does the Sterile Processing Technician training cost?
$89.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.
Will this course make me a licensed or certified sterile processing technician?
No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. Some states, such as New York and New Jersey, require sterile processing technicians to be certified. Many hospitals require certification within a set time after hire. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.
Who is this course for?
Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding sterile processing technicians.
How do I enroll?
Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.
Do you offer group or employer pricing?
Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.
What do I receive when I finish?
Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.


Enroll nowFree practice test