CRCST Practice Test: 53 Sterile Processing Questions With Answers
Practice for the HSPA CRCST exam with the 53 original sterile processing questions from our practice-test video, each with an explanation, then check the exam format, the 400 hands-on hours rule, the fee and renewal from HSPA's handbook.
The CRCST exam from HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM) has 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored, with a 3-hour limit at a Prometric test center. HSPA does not publish a passing percentage. You need 400 hours of hands-on sterile processing experience, or you can test first and finish the hours within 6 months as a provisional candidate. The application costs $140.
CRCST facts at a glance
| Questions | 150: 125 scored plus 25 unscored pretest items mixed in at random |
|---|---|
| Time limit | 3 hours: after an optional 15-minute tutorial |
| Exam fee | $140: per attempt, including a $25 nonrefundable submission fee |
| Hands-on hours | 400: in a sterile processing department, within the past 5 years |
| Passing score | Not published: criterion-referenced (Angoff method); pass/fail is based on scored items correct |
| Delivery | Prometric test centers: computer-based; English only |
| Retake wait | 6 weeks: a retake costs the full fee |
| Renewal | Every year: 12 technical CE credits and a $50 fee ($60 with optional membership) |
Checked against the official HSPA page and the sources listed at the end of this page on 2026-10-26.
Watch: CRCST videos
CRCST Practice Test 2026: 53 Sterile Processing Exam Questions With Answers
CRCST Exam Explained (2026): Format, Passing Score, Cost & 10 Practice Questions
CRCST practice test: 53 questions
These are the questions from our CRCST practice-test video, grouped by HSPA content area. Pick an answer and press Check Answer to see the explanation; missed questions go to a retry queue. Every question is original, not from a real exam.
HSPA does not publish a percentage cut score, so treat about 80% here as a comfortable target in our estimate, not an HSPA number.
CRCST content outline
HSPA's content outline gives each area a share of the exam. Three areas, each 21%, make up nearly two thirds of it.
| Content area | Share of exam |
|---|---|
| Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection | 21% |
| Preparation and Packaging | 21% |
| Sterilization Process | 21% |
| Departmental Considerations | 15% |
| Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management | 9% |
| Professional Development and Human Relation Skills | 8% |
| Patient Care Equipment and Distribution | 5% |
The 400 hours rule and provisional status
Full certification requires 400 hours of hands-on experience in a sterile processing department, paid or volunteer, completed within the past five years. HSPA's handbook splits it: 120 hours in decontamination, 120 in preparation and packaging, 120 in sterilization and disinfection, 24 in storage and distribution, and 16 in quality assurance.
You can also take the exam first. If you pass without the hours you hold provisional status and have 6 months to complete them, with a one-time 2-month extension only for people currently working or volunteering in a sterile processing department. Miss the deadline and you lose provisional status and must retest.
How the CRCST is scored
HSPA sets the passing point with the Angoff procedure, supplemented by the Beuk compromise method, and the Certification Council approves it. Your pass or fail depends on how many of the 125 scored questions you answer correctly; the 25 pretest items do not count and you cannot tell which they are.
You get a preliminary pass/fail result at the test center. A failing score report rates each content area as at or above, below, or well below the standard, without percentages, which tells you where to focus before a retake.
HSPA's statistics page reports 10,083 passing and 5,286 failing CRCST results in 2025, about 66% passing by our arithmetic.
Applying and scheduling
Once HSPA approves your application (it takes about 3 to 4 weeks), you have a 120-day window to test, with no extensions. HSPA recommends scheduling at least 45 days before your eligibility ends so you can still get a seat.
No prep course is required. HSPA's references for the exam are its Sterile Processing Technical Manual (9th edition), ANSI/AAMI ST79, and the AORN Guidelines.
How to use this practice test
Work through the set once untimed and note which content areas you miss. Then reread those chapters of the technical manual and retake only your missed questions. Because cleaning, packaging, and sterilization are 63% of the exam together, make sure those three areas are your strongest before test day.
Sample CRCST questions with answers
One question from each content area of the practice set above, with the answer and explanation. Try it before you open the answer.
Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection
Soiled instruments must wait before going to decon. How are they kept at point of use?
- Soaked in saline
- Left dry and uncovered
- Moist, with water or an enzyme product
- Rinsed in very hot tap water
Show answer
C. Moist, with water or an enzyme product
Dried blood and tissue are much harder to remove, so soil is kept moist until cleaning, using water or a product made for it. Saline is never used, because the salt damages stainless steel. Keeping instruments moist also stops corrosion from blood, which contains salt, so the clock starts the moment the procedure ends.
Preparation and Packaging
What tool is recommended for inspecting instruments at the prep table?
- A flashlight only
- A lighted magnifier
- A mirror
- The naked eye only
Show answer
B. A lighted magnifier
Lighted magnification shows cracks, burrs, pitting, and leftover soil the naked eye can miss, especially in serrations, box locks, and tips. Anything still soiled goes back to decontamination. Inspection also covers function, alignment, and sharpness, not just cleanliness.
Sterilization Process
In a gravity displacement steam sterilizer, how is air removed?
- A vacuum pump pulls it out in pulses
- Steam pushes it down and out the drain
- It escapes through the door gasket
- It isn't removed
Show answer
B. Steam pushes it down and out the drain
Air is heavier than steam. Steam enters at the top and pushes the air down and out through the drain at the bottom. Dynamic air removal cycles use a vacuum pump or steam pulses instead. Gravity cycles take longer because air removal is slower, which is why wrapped instruments need more exposure time in them.
Departmental Considerations
Compared with neighboring areas, the decontamination area's airflow should be:
- Positive pressure
- Equal pressure
- Negative pressure
- Blowing into the prep area
Show answer
C. Negative pressure
Negative pressure draws air into decontamination, so contaminated air and aerosols stay in. Prep and sterile storage are positive, pushing clean air out. Airflow is set up by the facility's engineers, but you should know the direction and report anything that seems wrong.
Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management
Per AAMI, how high should the lowest sterile storage shelf be?
- On the floor
- 2 inches
- 8 to 10 inches
- 4 feet
Show answer
C. 8 to 10 inches
Sterile items stay eight to 10 inches off the floor, at least 18 inches below the ceiling or sprinkler heads, and two inches from outside walls. A solid bottom shelf protects them from floor cleaning. Items are also kept away from sinks, windows, and anything that could get them wet.
Professional Development and Human Relation Skills
A case cart pick list shows a patient's name and procedure. Under HIPAA, you should:
- Keep it private; use it only for your job
- Share it if it's interesting
- Post it online without the name
- Tell anyone who asks
Show answer
A. Keep it private; use it only for your job
HIPAA protects patient health information. Use it only as your job requires, and don't share it, even casually, inside or outside the hospital. That includes conversations in the hallway, the break room, and on social media.
CRCST FAQ
How many questions are on the CRCST exam?
150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours. 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest items mixed in at random.
What is the CRCST passing score?
HSPA does not publish a percentage. The passing point is set by the Angoff method with the Beuk compromise and is based on the number of scored questions you answer correctly.
Can I take the CRCST before I have 400 hours?
Yes. You can test first and hold provisional status, then complete the 400 hands-on hours within 6 months. A one-time 2-month extension is available only if you currently work or volunteer in a sterile processing department.
How much does the CRCST exam cost?
$140 per attempt, including a $25 nonrefundable submission fee. A retake costs the full fee again, and you must wait 6 weeks.
How do I keep my CRCST certification?
Renew every year with 12 technical continuing education credits and a $50 renewal fee ($60 with optional membership).
Related practice and guides
Sources
Exam facts on this page were checked against these official pages on 2026-10-26.
- HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026)
- HSPA CRCST Content Outline (revised November 2023)
- HSPA: Become certified
- HSPA: CRCST certification and renewal
- HSPA: Certification statistics
OpenExamHub is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with HSPA. All practice questions are original, not from a real exam. Exam fees, requirements, and policies are set by HSPA and can change; confirm them in HSPA's current handbook before you apply.