CRCST: Format, Content Areas and Passing Score (2026)
October 10, 2026 · Damiano S. · reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer · how we write
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This is the short, sourced answer to the questions candidates ask most about the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST): how many questions, how long it takes, what is on it and what you need to pass. Every number below comes from Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM)'s own pages, linked at the end, and was checked on October 10, 2026.
CRCST at a glance
- Questions: 150 questions (125 scored, 25 unscored)
- Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
- Time: 3 hours
- Passing score (how it works): Pass/fail only: HSPA does not publish a numeric passing score. The cut point is set with a criterion-referenced method (Angoff, with the Beuk compromise).
- Fee: $140 (each retake $140)
- Retakes: Mandatory 6-week wait between exam attempts.
What the CRCST covers
Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM) lists 7 content areas:
- Departmental Considerations
- Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection
- Preparation and Packaging
- Sterilization Process
- Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management
- Patient Care Equipment and Distribution
- Professional Development and Human Relation Skills
The passing score
Pass/fail only: HSPA does not publish a numeric passing score. The cut point is set with a criterion-referenced method (Angoff, with the Beuk compromise).
Because there is no single published number, aim to be solidly strong in every content area rather than chasing a percentage you read online.
If you need to retake it
Mandatory 6-week wait between exam attempts.
How to use this to plan your preparation
- Check your starting point by area. Take a mixed set of questions and look at your results per content area, not just the total. The real exam has 150 questions (125 scored, 25 unscored), so practise in blocks that match its pace.
- Work the weakest area first, in short sessions, and read every explanation, including the questions you got right.
- Finish with full timed practice that matches the official time (3 hours), so the length of the exam is not a surprise on test day.
Full certification also requires 400 hours of hands-on experience in a sterile processing department.
Official sources
- HSPA: CRCST certification page
- HSPA: Certification Handbook (revised January 2026)
- HSPA: retaking an exam
Verified on October 10, 2026 against the sources above. Exam bodies change formats and fees: if a detail matters for your registration, check the official page before you book.