Do You Need a Degree to Be a Sterile Processing Technician?

No, you do not need a college degree to become a sterile processing technician. What you do need is a high school diploma or GED, completion of a short training program that covers sterile processing basics, and a passing score on a certification exam like the CRCST or CSPDT. Most people reach all three in a few months, not years.

That's the short version. The rest of this guide covers what employers actually look for, how certification works, and where state rules differ — because "no degree required" doesn't mean "no requirements at all."

Quick answer

• Education needed: High school diploma or GED — that's it for formal schooling.
• Training needed: A sterile processing training program, often a matter of weeks, not a two- or four-year degree.
• Certification needed: A passing score on CRCST (through HSPA) or CSPDT (through CBSPD) — most employers require one of these, either before hire or within a set window after starting.
• State licensing: A handful of states have their own rules on top of national certification, so what's required can vary depending on where you live.
• College credits: None required, though some community colleges offer sterile processing certificate tracks that overlap with the same material.

What does a sterile processing technician actually do?

A sterile processing technician — sometimes called an SPT, or you'll see the department called "SPD" (Sterile Processing Department) — cleans, inspects, and sterilizes the surgical instruments that hospitals and surgery centers use on patients. If a surgeon is using a scalpel, a laparoscopic camera, or a set of orthopedic drills tomorrow morning, someone in SPD decontaminated it, checked it under a light for damage, packaged it, and ran it through a sterilizer (often an autoclave, which uses pressurized steam to kill bacteria and viruses) tonight.

It's detail-heavy, hands-on work. You're not treating patients directly, but patient safety depends on you doing the job correctly every single time.

Do I need a degree?

No. Sterile processing is one of the relatively rare healthcare roles where a bachelor's or associate degree is not part of the standard path in. Employers care about three things: that you have a high school diploma or GED, that you've completed training that covers the material on the certification exam, and that you hold (or are actively working toward) that certification.

This is different from, say, nursing or radiology, where a multi-year degree is non-negotiable. Sterile processing was built as an accessible entry point into hospital work, which is part of why it attracts a lot of career changers coming from retail, food service, warehouse work, or caregiving.

What do employers actually screen for?

Employers screen for certification, hands-on familiarity with the Spaulding classification system, and the ability to pass a background check — not a transcript. A few specifics:

• Certification. Most hospitals and surgery centers in Chicago and nationally now expect CRCST or CSPDT, either in hand or earned within 6-12 months of being hired. You can read more about how the two main certifications compare on our sterile processing certifications page.
• Working knowledge of IFUs. IFU stands for "instructions for use" — the manufacturer's documented steps for cleaning and sterilizing a specific instrument. Employers want to know you can read and follow one, because skipping a step is how instruments get damaged or, worse, patients get exposed to contamination.
• Physical readiness. The job involves standing for most of a 10- to 12-hour shift, working in a hot, humid decontamination room, and repetitive lifting of instrument trays. Employers ask about this directly in interviews.
• Background check and immunizations. Standard for any hospital role — you'll need to clear a background check and show proof of required vaccinations before you start.
• Soft skills. Attention to detail and the ability to follow a checklist without shortcuts matter more than a diploma on the wall. Supervisors would rather hire someone methodical with a GED than someone careless with a degree.

What certification do I actually need?

You need either CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician), issued by HSPA, or CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician), issued by CBSPD. Both are nationally recognized, and most employers accept either one — though it's worth checking the specific preference of hospitals in your area before you commit to a track.

Both exams require you to meet an education requirement (a training program covering the material) before you're eligible to sit for the test. A full side-by-side of what each exam covers, how many questions are on it, and how the two differ is on our sterile processing certifications page.

Do state requirements differ?

Yes, in a small number of states. Most states have no state-level licensing requirement for sterile processing technicians beyond what individual employers ask for, meaning national certification (CRCST or CSPDT) is the only credential that matters. A few states have passed laws requiring SPTs to hold national certification to work in the role, sometimes with a grace period for new hires to get certified after starting. Illinois, where Sevy SPD is based, does not currently require a separate state license beyond employer-required national certification, but requirements do shift, so it's worth confirming current rules with your state's health department or the hospital system you're applying to before you assume anything.

How long does training actually take?

Training programs for sterile processing typically run anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the format and how much hands-on lab time is included. This is a fraction of the one-to-two years you'd spend on a certificate or associate degree track at a community college, and far less than a four-year degree.

For comparison:

Path	Typical length	Degree required?
Sterile processing training program	Weeks to a few months	No
Community college SPD certificate	Several months to a year	No, but adds college credits
Associate degree (unrelated healthcare field)	2 years	Yes
Bachelor's degree (nursing, etc.)	4 years	Yes

Our 9-week course falls on the shorter end of that range — a free orientation week followed by eight weeks of coursework, available in person in Chicago, live on Zoom, or fully self-paced, depending on how you learn best.

What does it cost compared to a degree?

Sterile processing training generally costs far less than a two- or four-year degree, since there's no general education requirement and no multi-year tuition commitment. You're paying for a focused program that gets you through the exact material the certification exam covers — not a broader curriculum with electives you'll never use on the job. Exact costs vary by program, so compare what's included (study materials, exam prep, practice hours) rather than price alone.

What happens after I'm certified?

After certification, you're eligible to apply for entry-level sterile processing technician roles at hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and dental or endoscopy clinics. Entry-level postings in the Chicago area typically list sterile processing or central service technician roles that pair base pay with shift differentials for nights or weekends, since SPD departments often run around the clock. From there, many techs move up to lead tech, SPD supervisor, or specialize in areas like endoscopy reprocessing or instrument tray assembly for a specific surgical specialty.

So is skipping a degree actually a disadvantage?

No, not for this field specifically. Because sterile processing was designed around a certification-based entry path rather than a degree-based one, going straight from training to certification to a job application isn't a workaround — it's the normal route. The people who get hired are the ones who show up certified, understand IFUs, and can speak clearly about why cleaning and sterilization steps matter, not the ones with the most credits.

Ready to start?

If you've got a high school diploma or GED and want a realistic, fast path into hospital work, sterile processing is one of the more accessible ways in. Take a look at our 9-week course overview to see how the orientation week, coursework, and exam prep fit together, and whether in-person, live Zoom, or self-paced study makes the most sense for your schedule.