- Departmental Considerations 15%
- Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection 21%
- Preparation and Packaging 21%
- Sterilization Process 21%
- Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management 9%
- Patient Care Equipment and Distribution 5%
- Professional Development and Human Relation Skills 8%
Free CRCST practice test · 2026 Would you pass the HSPA CRCST exam today?
10 questions weighted like the real exam. Your score by domain and every answer explained, in about three minutes. No sign-up.
A reusable high-level disinfectant has a 14-day reuse life according to its IFU. On day 15 after activation, the technician tests the solution with in-date, quality-controlled test strips, and the result shows it is above the minimum effective concentration (MEC). What is the correct action?
Tap an answer, or press A to D
- No sign-up
- Score by exam domain
- Every answer explained
What's on the HSPA CRCST exam
The HSPA CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician Exam) is set by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM). Questions are split across these domains:
Temperature, humidity and airflow by work area, chemical safety, dress code and traffic control, the regulations and standards SP follows, records and quality assurance.
PPE and bloodborne pathogens, microbiology, point-of-use care, manual and mechanical cleaning, detergents and water quality, equipment testing, and disinfection by Spaulding category.
Inspecting and testing instruments, instrument names and metals, assembling sets, chemical indicators, wraps, peel pouches, rigid containers and labeling.
Steam cycles and sterilizer parts, low-temperature methods, Bowie-Dick and biological testing, loading, cooling, implants, IUSS, recalls and load records.
Storage conditions and shelf clearances, event-related shelf life, FIFO, PAR and case cart systems, distribution, specialty carts and recalls.
Cleaning, inspecting, testing, tracking and delivering equipment like infusion pumps and SCD units. The smallest domain.
Communication and customer service, HIPAA, prioritizing work, medical and surgical terminology, teamwork and continuing education.
- Questions
- 150 (125 scored)
- Time
- 3 h
- Passing
- Pass/fail on the number of scored questions you get right; HSPA doesn't publish the cut score
- Exam fee
- $140
Source: HSPA's CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023). Check the official site before you book.
How this free CRCST practice test works
The 10 questions above are spread across the seven CRCST domains in roughly the same proportions as the real exam, so your result shows where you stand on each part of HSPA's content outline, not just an overall percentage.
You don't need an account. When you finish you'll see your score against our passing benchmark, your score for each domain, and every question with the right answer and a step-by-step explanation. Ten questions is a small sample, so use it to decide what to study first. Our questions are original and written to HSPA's published outline; they are not real exam questions.
What's on the CRCST exam
HSPA's current content outline came out of its 2023 job task analysis and has seven domains: Departmental Considerations (15%), Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection (21%), Preparation and Packaging (21%), Sterilization Process (21%), Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management (9%), Patient Care Equipment and Distribution (5%), and Professional Development and Human Relation Skills (8%).
The three 21% domains follow an instrument from the decontamination sink to the sterilizer, so they make up 63% of the exam. Expect questions on PPE and point-of-use care, Spaulding classification, washer and ultrasonic testing, instrument inspection, chemical indicators, wrapping and peel pouches, Bowie-Dick and biological testing, loading, implants and immediate-use steam sterilization. The manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) come up throughout, because they decide how each device is cleaned, packaged and sterilized.
How CRCST scoring and the 400 hours work
The exam has 150 multiple-choice questions, but only 125 count. The other 25 are pretest questions mixed in at random, so answer everything. You have 3 hours at a Prometric test center. Your result is pass or fail, based on how many scored questions you answer correctly. HSPA sets the passing point with a panel of experts and doesn't publish it as a percentage, so our results page uses 70% correct as a benchmark to aim above.
Certification also requires 400 hours of hands-on work in a sterile processing department, paid or volunteer: 120 in decontamination, 120 in preparing and packaging, 120 in sterilization and disinfection, 24 in storage and distribution, and 16 in quality assurance. You can finish the hours before you apply, or pass the exam first and earn provisional certification, then submit the hours within 6 months.
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- 300+ CRCST practice questions, every answer choice explained
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- Full 14-page printable High-Yield Cram Sheet (PDF)
100% Pass Guarantee + 7-day money-back. How it works
CRCST exam FAQ
How many questions are on the CRCST exam?
150 multiple-choice questions: 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions that you can't tell apart. You have 3 hours, plus an optional 15-minute tutorial before the clock starts. The exam is given in person at Prometric test centers, not online.
What score do you need to pass the CRCST?
The CRCST is pass/fail. Your result depends on the number of scored questions you answer correctly, measured against a passing point that HSPA sets with expert panels and doesn't publish. HSPA doesn't give percentage scores; if you fail, your report rates each domain as At or Above, Below, or Well Below. Our results page uses 70% correct as a benchmark.
How much does the CRCST exam cost?
$140 per attempt in 2026, which includes a $25 non-refundable submission fee. If you don't pass, you can retest after at least 6 weeks with a retake application and another $140. Keeping the credential costs $50 a year plus 12 continuing education credits. Check myhspa.org for current fees.
Do I need 400 hours before I take the CRCST exam?
No. You can complete the 400 hands-on hours before applying (full certification), or take the exam first and hold provisional certification while you finish them. Provisional candidates must submit the hours within 6 months of passing; a one-time 2-month extension is available if you are working or volunteering in an SP department. HSPA recommends at least starting your hours before you test.
How hard is the CRCST exam?
HSPA doesn't publish a pass rate. Many questions ask you to apply a standard to a situation, such as what to do after a positive biological indicator or how to load a mixed steam load, rather than recall a definition. Decontamination, packaging and sterilization make up 63% of the exam, so hands-on time in those areas helps.
How long should I study for the CRCST?
There's no official figure; it depends on your experience and whether you're taking a course. A practical approach is to study one domain at a time in HSPA's SP Technical Manual (9th edition), spend the most time on the three 21% domains, and use practice questions to find weak areas before you book your exam. After approval you have 120 days to schedule and sit.
What's the difference between CRCST, CIS, CER and CHL?
The CRCST is HSPA's core sterile processing technician certification. The CIS (Certified Instrument Specialist) and CHL (Certified Healthcare Leader) are advanced credentials that require full CRCST certification first. The CER (Certified Endoscope Reprocessor) covers flexible endoscope reprocessing. Each is a 150-question, 3-hour exam.
Is this affiliated with HSPA?
No. Quizprep is an independent study tool and isn't affiliated with the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Our questions are original and written to HSPA's published CRCST Exam Content Outline.