How To Become a Sterile Processing Technician in North Carolina 2025

If you're interested in a healthcare career that doesn't require years of college, sterile processing technician training in North Carolina is a practical option. This hands-on job focuses on keeping surgical instruments clean and safe to use, helping ensure smooth operations in hospitals and clinics.

As a sterilization processing technician, you'll learn the steps involved in cleaning, decontaminating, and organizing surgical tools—a behind-the-scenes role that's critical for patient safety. Read on to learn more about becoming a sterile processing technician and see if this is the right career choice for you.

What Is a Sterile Processing Technician?

You may never see them during a hospital visit, but sterile processing technicians are key to every surgical procedure. Their job is to make sure every tool used in surgery is completely clean, disinfected, and safe to reuse. That means managing everything from decontamination to sterilization to organizing surgical trays.

Most of the time, they're working in the background (in hospital basements, outpatient centers, and surgical clinics) but their impact is felt across every department. Whether you call them central service technicians or medical equipment preparers, they're essential to patient safety and hospital efficiency.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Sterile Processing Technician?

Most people can complete their training in less than a year. Some certificate programs take just a few months, while others, especially those offered through community colleges, may take one or two semesters. If you want to earn national certification, you'll need additional hands-on experience, which you can complete during or shortly after your program.

5 Steps To Become a Sterile Processing Technician in North Carolina

Here's what you need to do to start working in this field, from meeting basic education requirements to becoming certified and landing your first job.

Step 1: Finish High School or Earn a GED

You'll need a high school diploma or GED before you can enroll in a sterile processing technician program. Some schools also ask for documentation such as immunization records, a background check, or drug screening. While not required, high school classes in biology, anatomy, or health science can give you a head start. Being familiar with medical vocabulary and basic science concepts will also help you understand course material once you begin your training.

Step 2: Enroll in a Sterile Processing Technician Training Program

Sterile processing technician programs are available across North Carolina in both in-person and online formats. These programs typically cover topics like infection control, microbiology, surgical instrument identification, sterilization procedures, and medical terminology. Some may also include professional development skills, such as teamwork and communication in healthcare settings.

If you choose to earn your sterile processing certification online, keep in mind that most do not include a built-in externship or clinical experience, which is a key requirement for certification. Before enrolling, make sure the program prepares you for national certification exams and helps you understand how to arrange hands-on experience on your own after the course ends.

Step 3: Gain Hands-On Experience

To qualify for national certification exams, you'll need practical experience in a sterile processing environment. For example, the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) credential from the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) requires 400 hours of hands-on work.

If your program includes an externship, you can often meet this requirement during training. If not, you'll need to arrange your own experience after graduation. This can be done by applying for an entry-level position such as a sterile processing assistant or technician trainee in a hospital or surgical center. During your clinical hours, you'll perform real-world tasks like cleaning and sterilizing equipment, setting up surgical trays, and logging sterilization records—skills you'll need to pass the exam and succeed on the job.

Step 4: Earn Your Certification

Although North Carolina does not mandate certification, most hospitals and surgical centers prefer or require it. You have two main options: the CRCST from the HSPA and the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) from the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Both exams include multiple-choice questions and require proof of either training or experience. CBSPD certification requirements include completing a formal course or having at least 12 months of full-time work experience in sterile processing within the past five years.

Step 5: Apply for Jobs in Hospitals or Clinics

With your certification in hand, you're ready to apply for entry-level positions. Common job titles include sterile processing technician, central service technician, or instrument technician. Opportunities exist in hospitals, outpatient clinics, dental surgery centers, and travel staffing agencies. If you're open to short-term assignments in different locations, becoming a traveling sterile processing technician can be a rewarding way to gain experience while earning a higher income.

Sterile Processing Technician Training in North Carolina

North Carolina offers several affordable training options, both online and on campus. Here are some schools to consider.

1. Wake Technical Community College

Wake Technical Community College offers a central sterile processing technician course through its Workforce Continuing Education division. This non-credit program is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in sterile processing departments and for the CRCST exam.

While the program provides a strong foundation for certification, it does not include a clinical externship or hands-on training component. Students planning to sit for the CRCST exam must independently complete 400 hours of hands-on experience in a sterile processing environment within six months of passing the exam. The course cost is approximately $200, making it one of the most affordable options in the state.

2. Guilford Technical Community College

Guilford Technical Community College has a central sterile processing and distribution program designed to prepare students for careers in medical instrument sterilization. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to take the CBSPD exam to earn the title of CSPDT credential.

The registration fee for this course is $330.14, and financial aid is not available as it is a noncredit certificate course. Additional requirements include a student ID badge for $5, proof of vaccinations, a national background check, and a 12-panel drug test.

3. Gaston College

Gaston College offers a 12-credit certificate in Central Sterile Processing that costs $912 for in-state students and $3,216 for out-of-state students. The curriculum includes courses in medical terminology, surgical instrumentation, and infection control, all completed in a single semester.

Since this program is for credit, students can qualify for financial aid, which will lower the overall cost. Graduates are prepared to pursue national certification and begin working right after completion since this program includes a clinical component.

4. Blue Ridge Community College

Blue Ridge Community College offers a non-credit central sterile processing program through its continuing education department. The course includes 96 hours of in-person classroom instruction followed by a 400-hour clinical externship arranged by the college. This structure helps students meet the experience requirement for national certification exams such as the CRCST. The program costs $3,198 and includes the necessary clinical placement, making it a comprehensive option for students seeking hands-on training and direct preparation for entry into the field.

5. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University offers a fully online, self-paced sterile processing technician course through its continuing education platform. The program is designed to be completed in about 12 months (although you can complete it as quickly as you want) and includes a voucher to cover the cost of the CRCST certification exam.

While it does not include a built-in externship, students receive guidance on how to arrange clinical hours independently. The full program costs $3,290, though a 15% discount, which is regularly run through the platform, brings the price down to $2,795 for eligible students.

FAQs About Becoming a Sterile Processing Tech in North Carolina

If you are still figuring out if this career path is right for you, these frequently asked questions can help.

What Is a Sterile Processing Technician's Salary in North Carolina?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sterile processing technicians in North Carolina (listed as medical equipment preparers) earn an average of $42,000 per year, or about $20.19 per hour. Wages can increase with certification, experience, or by working as a traveling sterile processing technician.

Do I Need a License To Work in North Carolina?

No license is required by the state, but many employers expect you to hold national certification. Having the CRCST or CSPDT credential can make you more competitive and increase your earning potential.

Can I Get Certified Without Experience?

Yes, but you'll still need to complete hands-on training. For example, HSPA lets you take the CRCST exam before gaining 400 hours of experience, but you must finish those hours within six months of passing the test.

Are Online Training Programs Accepted by Employers?

Many employers accept graduates of online programs, especially if the course is well-known and includes a certification voucher or externship option. Always check whether a program prepares you for certification.

What's the Difference Between CRCST and CSPDT Certification?

CRCST is offered by HSPA, while CSPDT is through CBSPD. Both are nationally recognized, but each has different exam content and eligibility rules. Be sure to understand the CBSPD certification requirements along with HSPA's before choosing a path.

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