Sterile Processing Technician (SPT)

Sterile Processing Technicians (also known as Central Service Technicians) are vital behind-the-scenes healthcare professionals who safeguard patient safety during surgical operations. They are responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, packaging, and sterilizing medical instruments and surgical trays used in hospital operating rooms and outpatient surgical centers. Through practical hands-on lab training with real surgical instrumentation, sterilization equipment, and a supervised clinical externship, Pima Medical Institute prepares you for an essential role in infection control and surgical services.

Program objective. To develop in students the intrapersonal and professional skills needed to perform as competent entry-level sterile processing technicians through didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory practice, and externship experiences. Among the topics covered in the curriculum are surgical instruments, microbiology, medical equipment, surgical terminology, storage and distribution, skills required for sterilization and decontamination, and other topics necessary to be effective members of the sterile processing technician team. Graduates of this program receive a certificate and are eligible to apply to take the Certified Registered Central Service Technician examination through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. The courses within the program are acceptable for credit toward PMI’s Health Care Administration Associate of Applied Science Degree Program.

Core skills you’ll develop.

• Clinical: Principles of microbiology, infection prevention and epidemiology in healthcare
• Administrative: Surgical case cart prep and operating room delivery systems and regulatory standards (AAMI, CDC, OSHA, FDA and The Joint Commission compliance)
• Processing: Sterilization methods, quality assurance (biological indicators, chemical integrators and Bowie-Dick testing) and central service department workflow (Decontamination Zone vs. Prep & Pack vs. Sterile Storage)
• Decontamination: Decontamination protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) and chemical safety
• Instrumentation: Surgical instrument identification, function and care (general, orthopedic, laparoscopic, cardiac)
• Terminology: Medical terminology and basic human anatomy

Continuing your education. Continue with Health Care Administration , an online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and an online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership .

About Pima Medical Institute. Pima Medical Institute started changing lives in 1972, when Richard L. Luebke, Sr., and his wife, JoAnn, opened the first campus in Tucson, Arizona. Over 175,000 graduates have since advanced their education, and many are serving their communities through meaningful health care careers. The school’s mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing the best value in medical career education.

Eligibility requirements.

• Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
• Additional requirements may apply by campus

High school verification. Proof of valid high school completion or equivalent must be submitted (high school diploma or transcript, GED report and certificate, or an official associate or bachelor’s degree transcript). Pima Medical Institute does not enroll ability-to-benefit students, and applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

Entrance exams. Applicants for Sterile Processing Technician are required to take the Wonderlic SLE and receive a minimum score of 16. The exam may be waived for applicants who submit official transcripts that document completion of an associate degree or higher.

Background check, drug testing and vaccinations. Depending on the program, a background check and/or drug screening may be required prior to enrollment, during the program, and/or prior to externship/clinical training; the cost of the background check/drug screen is an out-of-pocket expense. The cost of required vaccinations and titers is also an out-of-pocket expense, and students are required to follow all clinical experience vaccination requests and policies.

At a glance. Course length: 9 Months (approximate); Lab hours: 155; Class hours: 345; Externship hours: 400. Hybrid education options not available at all campuses.

Seattle campus. The 2026 tuition price list shows 35.5 semester credits and 900 clock hours over 35 weeks (day) or 39 weeks (night), including 8.5 externship credits (400 hours).

Hybrid learning options. All courses are taught on campus to ensure you get the hands-on clinical experience this program requires. For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses, combining in-person instruction two days a week with online learning three days a week. Externship hours are completed fully in person.

• Certification: Pima Medical Institute's Sterile Processing Technician certificate program prepares graduates to apply to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA).*
• Find out more: Entry-level roles
• Career advancement: Sterile processing supervisor, central service manager, surgical instrument specialist and CRCST-certified technician lead

Certification and state registration requirements vary.

Careers. The Sterile Processing Technician certificate program prepares students to apply for roles and other related career opportunities including:

• Sterile processing technician
• Central service technician

Sterile Processing Technicians work in a variety of environments including hospital Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD), outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASC), dental surgery clinics and specialty surgical practices, endoscopy suites and cardiac catheterization labs and medical equipment sterilization contract companies.

Job outlook. 10% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years with a median pay of $46,490 per year. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Equipment Preparers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm#Healthcare (visited June 07, 2026).

Career Services. When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.

Clinical externships. At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.

In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.

Student Services. Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.

Application process.

• Submit the form below. A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
• Chat with our team. They'll ask about your goals, your background, and what's drawing you to healthcare. From there, they'll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
• Attend your campus tour. Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We'll walk you through programs and what to expect.
• We help you complete your application. Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.