Sterile Processing Certification Blog
Expert articles to help you pass your CRCST, CIS, CER, and CHL exams. Written by a 15-year sterile processing professional.
HSPA CHL Exam Changes 2026: Eligibility, Pilot Exam & Study Guide
HSPA is updating the CHL exam in 2026. Learn the new eligibility requirements, October pilot exam dates, testing blackout, December relaunch, and how to study.
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CRCST Passing Score 2026: How the HSPA Exam Is Scored
What is the passing score for the CRCST exam? Learn what HSPA publishes, how pass/fail scoring works, and how to use practice scores without relying on a false cut score.
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How to Use a CRCST Exam Simulator Without Random Studying
Learn when simulation helps CRCST preparation, how to review rationales, and why domain practice should come before repeated timed exams.
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When to Take a CRCST Mock Exam During Your Study Plan
Learn when CRCST mock exams are useful, how often to take them, and how to turn a timed score report into focused domain review.
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How to Study CRCST Questions by Domain
Why domain-based CRCST question review helps you study smarter, track weak areas, and avoid random exam prep.
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How to Use CER Exam Simulation for Endoscope Reprocessing Review
Prepare for the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor exam by using simulation, endoscope processing topics, and mock exam review in the right order.
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Sterile Processing Exam Simulator
Practice CRCST, CIS, CER, and CHL exam questions in one sterile processing exam simulator with instant feedback and mock exams.
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Sterile Processing Exam Prep: Complete Guide
A complete exam-prep roadmap for CRCST, CIS, CER, and CHL candidates — how to build a study plan, which resources actually work, and the mistakes that cause first-attempt failures.
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Understanding Surgical Procedures for SP Techs
Learn how surgical procedures actually work — OR roles, procedure phases, surgical specialties, and why understanding the OR helps you assemble better instrument trays.
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Anatomy and Physiology for Surgical Technicians
A surgical-technologist-focused anatomy and physiology primer — body planes, major systems, and why anatomical knowledge matters for OR positioning, prepping, and instrumentation.
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Free CRCST & CIS Practice Tests, Flashcards
Where to find free, high-quality practice questions and flashcards for CRCST, CIS, CER, and CHL certification exams — and how to use them for maximum exam-day results.
Read MoreHow Surgical Instruments Are Made
The materials and manufacturing behind surgical instruments — stainless steel grades, finishes, and why it matters for how you care for them.
Read MoreBiological vs. Chemical Indicators Explained
Biological and chemical indicators both monitor sterilization but test different things. Here's how each works and what the CRCST exam expects you to know.
Read MoreSterile Storage & Inventory Management (FIFO)
How sterile storage and inventory management work — FIFO rotation, event-related sterility, and what the CRCST exam tests in this often-overlooked domain.
Read MoreSpaulding Classification Explained
How the Spaulding Classification System works — critical, semi-critical, and non-critical items, and what processing each one requires.
Read MoreAnatomy and Physiology for Sterile Processing
The anatomy and physiology sterile processing technicians actually need — body systems, directional terms, and how they connect to instrument trays.
Read MoreEthylene Oxide (ETO) Sterilization Explained
How ethylene oxide sterilization works — cycle parameters, safety concerns, biological indicators, and what's tested on the CRCST exam.
Read MoreSterile Processing Terminology Glossary
Master the medical terminology tested on the CRCST exam — root words, abbreviations, directional terms, and a full sterile processing glossary.
Read MoreHow to Become a Sterile Processing Tech
How to become a sterile processing technician — training paths, required hands-on hours, the CRCST exam, and what the job actually pays.
Read MoreDecontamination Steps: Order of Operations
What is the correct order of decontamination in sterile processing? Learn every step from point-of-use pre-cleaning to transfer to prep and pack — exactly as tested on the CRCST exam.
Read MoreCRCST Sterilization Methods Explained
Master all sterilization methods tested on the CRCST exam — steam, ETO, hydrogen peroxide plasma, dry heat, and more. Includes key parameters and exam tips.
Read MoreCIS Instrument Identification Study Guide
Struggling with surgical instrument identification for the CIS exam? This guide covers the most tested instruments, how to study them effectively, and tips to pass.
Read MoreCRCST Decontamination: Complete Guide
Master the decontamination domain for your CRCST exam. Learn the correct order of operations, cleaning methods, PPE requirements, and common exam questions.
Read MoreCRCST vs CIS vs CER vs CHL: Which to Choose?
Not sure which sterile processing certification to pursue? This guide breaks down the differences between CRCST, CIS, CER, and CHL to help you choose the right path.
Read MoreHow to Pass the CRCST Exam on Your First Try
A complete study guide for the CRCST exam — covering the 7 domains, best study strategies, and how to use practice questions to pass on your first attempt.
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