Short answer: to become a fully certified CRCST, you need 400 hours of hands-on experience in sterile processing, signed off by a supervisor, manager or educator. You can take the exam first, but then you have only six months to document the hours. Here is how the rule works and how to get your hours in New York.
What HSPA requires
These rules come from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), which awards the CRCST:
- The 400 hours are mandatory for everyone who wants full CRCST certification.
- Paid or volunteer hours both count. A job in a sterile processing department or a clinical placement can both work.
- The experience must be from the last five years.
- Who signs off: a lead tech, coordinator, supervisor, manager, director, administrator or hospital educator. A fellow technician or a private instructor cannot sign for you.
Exam first, or hours first?
You can take the CRCST exam before you finish your hours. If you pass, you are provisionally certified and have six months to document all 400 hours. If you do not, HSPA revokes the certification.
HSPA’s own advice is to finish your hands-on hours before the exam whenever you can. Some students prefer to take the exam soon after the course, while the material is fresh, and then complete their hours. If you choose that route, line up your placement before you test so the six-month clock does not run out.
There is a small safety net. HSPA may allow a one-time, two-month extension, but only if you have already started working or volunteering in a department, and your supervisor asks HSPA before your provisional status ends.
Where can you get the hours in New York?
- A clinical placement through your training program. This is usually the simplest route for new students, and the reason to choose a course that helps with placement.
- A job in a sterile processing department. Some hospitals hire entry-level assistants and support their certification. New York law gives new hires 18 months to become certified. See what New York requires.
- Volunteering in a hospital sterile processing department, where available.
Expect the hospital to ask for clearances before you start, such as a background check, immunization records and other health requirements. Gather them early, because they can take weeks.
How Charisma SPD helps
Our 12-week CRCST course includes clinical-placement support toward the 400-hour requirement, as part of the $2,500 tuition. Placements depend on your eligibility, clearances, site availability and the hospital department’s approval, and schedules are confirmed with each student during enrollment.
Because we are also a healthcare staffing company, we know what sterile processing departments look for, and we help graduates move from placement into paid work.
See class dates and tuition Or apply now
Tips to finish your hours on time
- Start clearances in week one of your course.
- Keep your own log of dates, hours and tasks, even though only your supervisor’s sign-off counts.
- Get your supervisor’s current contact details. HSPA rejects applications when the documenter’s contact information is out of date.
- Watch the six-month clock if you test first, and ask about the extension early if you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do my hours part-time?
Yes. What matters is reaching 400 documented hours within the time allowed.
Do the hours have to be paid?
No. HSPA accepts paid or volunteer experience.
Can my instructor sign off my hours?
No. A private instructor or a fellow technician cannot. It must be a supervisor, manager, educator or similar leader where you did the work.
Where can I read the official rules?
On HSPA’s certification page and in its Certification Handbook. Rules can change, so check them before you apply.
Questions about placement? Call us at (914) 201-3382 or send us a message.
