ST 9000

Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician

100% Online Certification Training

Earn professional certification as a Sterile Processing Technician and pursue career opportunities in hospitals, surgery centers, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

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Certifications earned

What Does a Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician Do?

A Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for receiving, documenting, packaging, sterilizing, storing, and distributing instruments, equipment, and supplies essential for patient care. Beyond sterile processing duties, the technician also supports patient care across all age groups before, during, and after surgical procedures by performing scrub duties and contributing as part of the surgical team. This role upholds patient safety, privacy, and confidentiality while ensuring compliance with all legal requirements and adhering to strict sterilization standards when handling sharp or contaminated instruments.

  • Exhibit a clear understanding of the essential soft skills required of an allied healthcare professional

  • Recognize the value of customer service, effective communication, and professionalism

  • Perform sterilization of medical instruments and equipment

  • Provide assistance to surgeons during procedures

  • Carry out cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection processes

  • Manage documentation and maintain accurate records

  • Differentiate responsibilities across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases

What You’ll Learn – ST 9000 Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician

In the Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician program, students will engage in coursework focused on professionalism in healthcare, human anatomy, and medical terminology, along with the core principles of sterile processing and the use of surgical technologist tools and procedures.

The program prepares students for the Tech in Surgery Certification (TS-C) offered by the NCCT and the optional Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification offered by the HSPA.

Both certifications require hands-on clinical experience. TS-C candidates must complete and document at least 125 surgical cases, which must be submitted to NCCT within two (2) years of passing the TS-C exam. Students are required to secure a verified clinical site prior to enrolling in this program.

CRCST candidates must complete 400 hours of practical experience in a Central Services department within six (6) months of passing the CRCST exam. Students are responsible for arranging their own clinical site to meet this requirement.

We highly recommend that students review local job postings and verify any state-specific requirements, restrictions, or barriers before enrollment to ensure they meet eligibility criteria upon graduation.

Note: Some Amara programs may have state or regional restrictions. Please review our State Restriction page to confirm eligibility based on your location or intended place of employment.

This Program Has Additional On Site Clinical Requirements

Program Courses

Code Course Duration
PS 1011 Professionalism in Allied Health 2 Weeks
HI 1014 Introduction to Human Anatomy and Medical Terminology 6 Weeks
HI 6014 Sterile Processing 6 Weeks
HI 6016 Surgical Technology 10 Weeks
Total Program Duration 24 Weeks

Enrollment Requirements

  • Web browser with internet connection
  • Course registration & payment
  • English language proficiency
  • Employer/Clinical Sponsorship – Applicants to these programs MUST provide verification that an Employer or Clinical Site has agreed to accept the applicant in efforts to fulfill “surgical case” requirements required for Tech in Surgery (TS-C) certification before enrollment. With this Sponsorship, the student must be guaranteed to perform a minimum of required surgical cases completed and reported to NCCT within two (2) years of passing the TS-C exam.
  • The Amara Student Clinical Site Information Form must be submitted to Amara prior to enrollment.

Amara Covered Materials

  • Expert-led video based training
  • Competency assessments
  • National Certification exam fee

*The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by Amara. They are not included in the tuition costs and are provided at no additional cost to students. However, students have access to these materials for a limited time frame aligned with their program. Access to these materials outside of this period is not guaranteed, and students may be responsible for costs associated with any extended access.

Student Services

  • Dedicated Student Success Advisors
  • Tailored support based on performance & behavior
  • Exam preparation process
  • Career Services Advisor

Clinical Requirements

  • CRCST requirements: 400 hours of hands-on experience in a Central Services Department within 6 months of passing the exam. Please visit the HSPA website for a breakdown of the specific disciplines.
  • TS-C requirements: 125 surgical cases completed within two years of passing the TS-C exam. Please visit the NCCT website for a breakdown of the specific cases required. NOTE: Sponsorship Acknowledgement Form must be signed by the clinical site agreeing to host the student for post program surgical cases before student can enroll.

Surgical/ Sterile Processing Technician

Active Duty Military Grants

Amara accepts education benefits from the Department of Defense for Active Duty Army, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Military Spouse Grants

Spouses of Active Duty Service Members in certain ranks may be eligible for assistance up to $2,000 per fiscal year.

Workforce Grants

Amara partners with American Job Centers in 30+ states and accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other workforce grant funding.

FAQs: Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician Online Certification Training Program

What is a Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician?

A Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician is responsible for sterilizing, packaging, and managing surgical instruments and equipment. They work in hospitals, surgery centers, and clinics, ensuring that all surgical tools are properly cleaned, decontaminated, and stored. They also assist in the care of patients before, during, and after surgical procedures by performing scrub duties and related tasks

The career outlook for Surgical/Sterile Processing Technicians is very positive, with available jobs expected to grow by 5% over the next ten years.

To start your career journey as a Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician,, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, provide the Sponsorship Acknowledgement form signed by prospective employer agreeing to host the graduate for post-program surgical cases (scrubs) as a full-time/part-time employee, extern, or apprentice (required to attain TS-C certification), complete a formal training program such as Amara, pass the TS-C exam offered by the National Center for Competency Testing, and the CRCST exam offered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Students who pass the TS-C exam are required to complete the following hands-on requirements within two years of passing the NCCT exam. Students are responsible for securing their clinical sites:

  • A minimum of 30 (maximum of 50) scrubs in general surgeries and
  • Minimum of 75 scrubs in at least three (3) of the following areas
    • Gynecology
    • Genitourinary
    • Cardiovascular
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics
    • Thoracic
    • Peripheral Vascular
    • Ophthalmology
    • Otorhinolaryngology
    • Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Other (please specify)
    • Orthopedic
    • Diagnostic Scopes (Maximum of 15)

Students who pass the CRCST exam are required to complete a total of 400 hours of hands-on experience in a Central Services (CS) department in the following categories. Students are responsible for securing their clinical sites:

  • Decontamination (120 hours)
  • Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
  • Preparing and Storing Instruments (120 hours)
  • Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
  • Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
  • Equipment (16 hours)

In the Amara online Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician training program, you will learn a comprehensive range of skills, including sterilization techniques, surgical instrument management, decontamination procedures, surgical suite preparation, infection control, patient care during surgical procedures, legal and health regulations compliance, and maintaining surgical equipment.

To enroll in the Amara’s Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician training program, you need a web browser with an internet connection, course registration and payment and verification of an Employer or Clinical Sponsorship. This sponsorship must confirm the applicant can fulfill the “surgical case” requirements for the Tech in Surgery (TS-C) certification. Additionally, the Amara Student Clinical Site Form must be submitted prior to enrollment.

While Amara does not offer financial aid, students may be eligible for options through government grant-funded programs like:

The total program duration is 24 weeks if completing 15-20 hrs of coursework per week.

The program is developed with collaboration from industry-recognized subject matter experts and includes interactive simulations, interviews with real-world experts, game-based learning, and more, catering to every type of learner.

Yes, the program includes a strategic exam preparation process and dedicated Student Success Advisors to provide tailored support based on performance.

The program includes expert-led video-based training, competency assessments, and the national certification exam fee. All materials needed for the program are covered by Amara.

Some Amara programs may have certain restrictions depending on your state or region. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact us at (443) 900-3027 or email us at training@amaracareertraining.com and our team will be happy to assist you.

We’re not institutionally accredited as a training provider, but the certifications you’ll earn in this program are accredited through the exam-issuing authorities, the NCCT and HSPA. So while our school itself doesn’t hold accreditation, you’ll earn an accredited certification upon passing your national exams and completing clinical requirements.

To become fully certified, students who pass the TS-C exam are required to complete the following hands-on requirements within two years of passing the NCCT exam. Students are responsible for securing their clinical sites:

  • A minimum of 30 (maximum of 50) scrubs in general surgeries and
  • Minimum of 75 scrubs in at least three (3) of the following areas
    • Gynecology
    • Genitourinary
    • Cardiovascular
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics
    • Thoracic
    • Peripheral Vascular
    • Ophthalmology
    • Otorhinolaryngology
    • Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Other (please specify)
    • Orthopedic
    • Diagnostic Scopes (Maximum of 15)

To become fully certified, students who pass the CRCST exam are required to complete a total of 400 hours of hands-on experience in a Central Services (CS) department in the following categories. Students are responsible for securing their clinical sites:

  • Decontamination (120 hours)
  • Quality Assurance Processes (24 hours)
  • Preparing and Storing Instruments (120 hours)
  • Storage and Distribution (24 hours)
  • Sterilization and Disinfection (96 hours)
  • Equipment (16 hours)
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