One of the first questions people ask about sterile processing is simple: what does it cost to get certified? Here’s an honest breakdown of every piece — the training, the exam, the materials, the hands-on hours, and the cost of keeping the credential once you have it — so there are no surprises.
The short answer
Getting CRCST-certified generally has three upfront costs: your training program, the exam fee, and course materials. Depending on the path you choose, most people spend somewhere between roughly $850 and $2,700 all in — with self-study at the low end and in-person training at the high end. After that, there’s a small ongoing cost to keep the credential active each year.
Here’s the full picture at a glance:
| Cost item | Who you pay | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| Training program | Your school | $700 – $2,500 depending on format |
| CRCST exam fee | HSPA (the certifying body) | $140 |
| Course materials | Included at ATS | $0 extra |
| Hands-on experience hours | No tuition — supervised hours | $0 (time, not money) |
| Annual renewal (after certifying) | HSPA | $50 + 12 CE points per year |
Now let’s walk through each piece.
1. Training program
This is the biggest and most flexible cost, because you choose the format:
- Online self-study — $700. Self-paced, instant access, the most affordable way to get certified from anywhere. See self-study →
- Live virtual class — $1,850. Instructor-led over Zoom on a set schedule, 16 weeks per cohort. See virtual →
- In-person — $2,500. Hands-on classroom training in the Philadelphia and Cherry Hill area with the strongest path to a hospital internship, 16 weeks. See in-person →
All three prepare you for the same CRCST exam on the HSPA 9th Edition curriculum. There’s no “budget version” of the credential — a student who finishes the $700 self-study course sits for the exact same exam as a student who trained in person. The difference is in how you learn: pace, live instruction, and hands-on practice. If you’re weighing formats, we compare them honestly in Online vs. In-Person Sterile Processing Programs.
Payment plans
You don’t have to pay cohort tuition all at once. ATS offers payment plans with $500 down and the balance spread over 10–12 weeks — which lines up with the 16-week cohort, so most students finish paying around the time they finish class. That turns the virtual program into manageable weekly amounts instead of one large payment.
2. The exam fee
The CRCST exam fee is paid separately to HSPA, the certifying body. HSPA currently lists the exam fee at $140, and the exam itself is 150 multiple-choice questions with three hours to complete it, administered at Prometric testing centers. Fees are set by HSPA and can change, so always confirm the current amount when you register.
Aseptic Technical Solutions is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with HSPA. Exam and membership fees are paid directly to HSPA.
One cost people don’t plan for: re-taking the exam. If you don’t pass, you pay the exam fee again for another attempt. That’s why serious practice testing matters — passing on the first try is the cheapest way through. It’s also why ATS includes a free course-retake guarantee: if you need to go through the course again, you don’t pay tuition twice. You can read more about the test itself in What Is the CRCST Exam?
3. Course materials
Your program should include the lessons, quizzes, and practice tests you need. At ATS, materials are built in — AI voice-guided lessons, quizzes, and practice exams aligned to the HSPA 9th Edition — so you’re not hunting for a separate textbook to pass. Students also get access to a private Discord community for questions between lessons, at no extra cost.
If you’re comparing schools, ask directly: is the textbook or study material included, or is it extra? A program that looks cheaper on the sticker can end up costing more once you add materials.
4. The hands-on experience hours
The CRCST also has a hands-on experience requirement: 400 hours in a sterile processing department, on a paid or volunteer basis. You can complete those hours before you apply, or within six months of passing the exam.
You don’t pay tuition for this step — it’s supervised hours in a real environment, and many students earn a paycheck while completing them. The real cost is time and access: finding a facility that will take you can be the hardest part of the whole process if you’re on your own. ATS provides hospital internship placement assistance to help you meet the requirement, which can save you months of cold-calling hospitals. We cover why this matters so much in Hands-On Training in Sterile Processing Education.
5. Keeping the credential: renewal costs
Certification isn’t one-and-done. To keep the CRCST active, HSPA requires 12 continuing education (CE) points each year plus a $50 annual renewal fee. Budget for it, but don’t stress over it — CE is very manageable once you’re working, and many facilities offer in-services that count. Our CEU resources page points you to ways to earn those points.
Total cost of ownership, by path
Putting it all together for your first year:
| Path | Training | Exam fee | First-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-study | $700 | $140 | ~$840 |
| Live virtual | $1,850 | $140 | ~$1,990 |
| In-person | $2,500 | $140 | ~$2,640 |
After you’re certified, plan on the $50 renewal plus 12 CE points annually to keep the credential in good standing.
How to keep the cost down
- Match the format to how you actually learn. The most expensive program is the one you don’t finish. If you’re self-driven, self-study gets you the same credential for a fraction of the price.
- Use a payment plan. $500 down with the balance over 10–12 weeks turns a cohort program into a weekly budget line, not a lump sum.
- Pass the exam once. Practice exams are cheaper than a second $140 exam fee. Take every practice test your program offers.
- Ask your employer. If you’re already working in a hospital — even in another department — ask about tuition assistance or education benefits. Many facilities support employees moving into sterile processing.
- Don’t pay someone to find your hours. Hands-on hours shouldn’t cost extra. Internship placement help is built into ATS programs.
Is it worth it?
For a credential that can be the difference between getting hired and getting passed over — and that’s now required by law in several states including Pennsylvania and New Jersey — the total cost is modest compared to most healthcare training paths, which often run into the thousands and take a year or more. Sterile processing remains one of the most affordable entries into a real healthcare career, and many students recover the cost quickly once they’re working. For the bigger career picture, start with How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician.
Want to map out the most affordable path for your situation? Compare programs or grab the free Career Roadmap.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to become a certified sterile processing technician? Most people spend roughly $850 to $2,700 total: $700–$2,500 for training depending on format, plus the $140 CRCST exam fee paid to HSPA. Materials are included in ATS programs, and the hands-on hours don’t cost tuition.
Is the CRCST exam fee included in tuition? No. The exam fee is paid directly to HSPA, the certifying body, when you apply for the exam — it’s separate from any school’s tuition. ATS is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with HSPA.
Are there payment plans for sterile processing training? Yes. ATS cohort programs offer payment plans with $500 down and the balance spread over 10–12 weeks, which fits inside the 16-week course. Self-study is a single $700 payment with instant access.
What does it cost to keep the CRCST after I pass? HSPA requires 12 CE points and a $50 renewal fee each year. CE is manageable once you’re working — see our CEU resources for ways to earn points.
Do I have to pay for the 400 hands-on hours? No tuition is charged for the experience requirement — it’s supervised hours in a real department, paid or volunteer. The challenge is access, not cost, which is why ATS includes hospital internship placement assistance.
