Pass the CRCST exam.
Ten minutes a day.
The study app built only for the HSPA CRCST exam.
5.0avg. rating
901practice questions
IncludesAI tutor
- 901 practice questions
- 150-question mock exams
- AI tutor on every answer
Everything you need to pass
One app, built for one exam. Practice, review and rehearse test day — all from your phone.
AI tutor
Tap “Ask” on any question for an instant explanation of why the right answer is right — and why the others are wrong. Follow up until it clicks.
Full-length mock exams
Pro150 timed questions — the same length as the real CRCST exam — scored by domain so you know exactly where the points went.
Survival & infinite modes
Three lives in Survival: one wrong answer costs a heart. Or switch to Infinite and practice with no limit and no pressure.
Daily quiz & streaks
A short quiz every day keeps the habit alive. Ten focused minutes beat a weekend of cramming.
60 key-term flashcards
The definitions you must know cold, from bioburden to Bowie-Dick tests. Save the hard ones for later.
Performance by domain
Accuracy trends and a pass line for every content domain, so you spend time on what moves your score.
How it works
Set your exam date
Tell CRCST Prep when you test. Your home screen counts down the days, so every session has a deadline.
Practice by domain
Short quizzes drawn from 901 exam-style questions, organized by CRCST content domain, each with a written explanation.
Ask why
Stuck? The AI tutor explains the reasoning. Save the questions you miss and review them before test day.
Sit a mock exam
Rehearse test day with a timed, 150-question mock exam and check your score by domain before the real thing.
What is the CRCST exam?
The core certification for sterile processing technicians.
The CRCST exam is run by HSPA (the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association) and tests whether you can safely decontaminate, inspect, package, sterilize, store and distribute reusable medical devices. Candidates are typically sterile processing and central service technicians and students.
- Credential
- CRCST, Certified Registered Central Service Technician
- Awarded by
- Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)
- Format
- 150 multiple-choice questions, 125 of them scored
- Time allowed
- 3 hours
- Delivery
- Computer-based, at a Prometric testing center
- Experience
- 400 hands-on hours in sterile processing, before or within 6 months after the exam
Source: HSPA certification handbook. Details change — confirm on the official HSPA website.
901 questions.
Sorted by exam topic.
Practice by content domain or mix them all. Every question has a difficulty rating and a written explanation.
15% of the exam· 214 questions
Departmental
Departmental Considerations
Work-area environment, dress code and traffic control, regulations and standards, record keeping and quality assurance.
214questions
21% of the exam· 175 questions
Decontamination
Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection
Point-of-use care, PPE, manual and mechanical cleaning, water quality, washer testing and the Spaulding levels of disinfection.
175questions
21% of the exam· 154 questions
Prep & Packaging
Preparation and Packaging
Instrument inspection and function testing, set assembly, chemical indicators, wraps, peel pouches, rigid containers and labeling.
154questions
21% of the exam· 155 questions
Sterilization
Sterilization Process
Steam, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide and dry heat; loading, cycle parameters, Bowie-Dick tests, biological indicators and recalls.
155questions
9% of the exam· 76 questions
Storage & Inventory
Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management
Event-related sterility, storage conditions, handling, transport of clean and soiled items, par levels and stock rotation.
76questions
5% of the exam· 53 questions
Patient Care Equipment
Patient Care Equipment and Distribution
Reprocessing and tracking patient care equipment, endoscopes, case carts, exchange carts and loaner instrumentation.
53questions
8% of the exam· 74 questions
Professional Skills
Professional Development and Human Relation Skills
Communication, teamwork, customer service, ethics, safety culture and keeping your certification current.
74questions
Free study tools
Practice tests, charts and checks for the CRCST. Free, no sign-up.
- Free CRCST practice testsFree CRCST practice tests: a 15-question mixed test plus 7 tests by HSPA content domain. Instant scoring and an explanation for every answer. No sign-up.
- Autoclave temperature & time chartAutoclave temperature and time for steam sterilization: CDC minimum exposure and drying times at 121°C and 132°C, gravity vs prevacuum, plus IUSS cycles.
- Sterilization indicators guideSterilization indicators explained: chemical indicator types 1–6, indicator tape and strips, biological indicators (spore tests) and the Bowie-Dick test, per CDC.
- Surgical instrument quizFree surgical instrument identification quiz for sterile processing: 37 common instruments by family, with how to recognize each one. New round every time.
Ten minutes a day.
Exam-ready in weeks.
Reading the textbook isn't the same as answering exam questions. CRCST Prep turns every spare ten minutes into exam-style practice with instant feedback.
Your first quizzes are on us.
From the blog
Study plans and strategy for the CRCST exam.
Certification · November 13, 2026 · 8 min read
CRCST Certification: Requirements, Exam, Cost and Renewal (2026)
CRCST is HSPA's sterile processing certification. The 400-hour requirement, full vs provisional, the 150-question exam, the $140 fee and yearly renewal.
Read articleFrequently asked questions
What is the HSPA CRCST exam?
The CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician) exam is the certification exam for sterile processing technicians, administered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Full certification also requires 400 hours of hands-on experience in a sterile processing department.
How many questions are on the CRCST exam?
The CRCST exam has 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items. Candidates have 3 hours to complete it at a Prometric testing center. Always confirm current details in the HSPA certification handbook.
What is CRCST Prep?
CRCST Prep is a mobile app for iPhone and iPad built only for the CRCST exam. It includes 901 exam-style practice questions organized by the seven HSPA content domains, full-length 150-question timed mock exams, 60 key-term flashcards, a daily quiz and an AI tutor that explains the reasoning behind every answer.
How long should I study for the CRCST exam?
Many candidates plan for 6 to 12 weeks of steady preparation alongside their hands-on hours. Short daily sessions work better than cramming: CRCST Prep is designed around short daily quizzes, saved questions for review, key-term flashcards and a countdown to your exam date.
Is CRCST Prep free?
CRCST Prep is free to download on the App Store, and your first practice quizzes are free. CRCST Prep Pro, an in-app purchase, unlocks unlimited quizzes, the full question bank and extended AI tutor access.
Is CRCST Prep affiliated with HSPA?
No. CRCST Prep is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by HSPA (the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association). CRCST is a certification of HSPA.
Still have a question?Contact us