To renew your CRCST, you submit 12 continuing education (CE) credits and a $50 renewal fee to HSPA every year. The credits must be technical and relevant to sterile processing, and the renewal must reach HSPA by the last day of your certification's anniversary month (HSPA CRCST renewal).
The rules at a glance
| CRCST renewal | |
|---|---|
| How often | Every year |
| CE credits | 12 per year |
| Type of CE | Technical, relevant to sterile processing |
| Fee | $50, however many HSPA certifications you hold ($60 with optional membership) |
| Deadline | Last day of your certification's anniversary month |
| How to submit | Online (processed right away) or by mail (2 to 3 weeks longer) |
Sources: HSPA's CRCST renewal page and stay certified page. Fees can change, so check before you renew.
What counts as CE
HSPA accepts several kinds of education, as long as the topic is technical and related to sterile processing. Credit is recorded in hour units: one hour of education is 1 CE, half an hour is 0.5 CE, and a quarter hour is 0.25 CE.
| Source | Credit |
|---|---|
| HSPA lesson plans (after passing the online quiz) | 2 CE each |
| HSPA webinars (after the survey) | 1 CE each |
| HSPA podcast editions (after the quiz) | 0.5 CE each |
| In-services at your workplace (supervisor verifies) | By hours attended |
| Conferences and seminars, including HSPA events and pre-approved meetings | By hours attended |
| Technical, community or college courses, grade C or better | Per HSPA's rules |
Six lesson plans would cover the full 12 credits. Many techs mix in-services from work with a few lesson plans.
Topics like customer service or general leadership may not count unless they are tied to sterile processing work. When you are unsure, check with HSPA before you rely on a course.
How the CE window works
Your CE credits must come from the year before your renewal. HSPA gives an example on its renewal page: if your renewal date is May 31 and you renewed early on May 4, your CE credits for the next renewal must be dated on or after May 5 of the prior year.
In practice:
- Credits earned before your last renewal don't count again.
- If you renew early, the next window starts the day after you renewed.
- If you renew late, the start of your next CE window shifts too.
Keep a folder, paper or digital, with certificates and dates as you earn them. It saves a scramble in your anniversary month.
Holding more than one HSPA certification
If you also hold another HSPA certification, such as one for instruments, endoscopes or leadership, the one $50 fee covers all of them. Each certification still needs its own CE credits every year. Check the renewal page for each certification you hold. Our HSPA certification page lists the CE each one needs.
Avoiding a lapse
HSPA says renewals must be received by the last day of your anniversary month to avoid a lapse in your certification status. Some ways to stay safe:
- Renew online. Online renewals are processed right away. Mail adds two to three weeks.
- Set a reminder a month before your anniversary month.
- Earn CE through the year. One lesson plan every two months gets you there with no rush.
If your certification has already lapsed, contact HSPA to find out your options. Many employers require an active CRCST, so a lapse can affect your job.
Renewal and the 400 hours
Renewal only applies once you hold full certification. If you are a provisional CRCST, your first job is to finish and submit the 400 hands-on hours within six months of passing. See the CRCST 400 hours guide.
Using study material for CE
Our free CRCST study guides and practice questions are a good refresher on current practice, but they are not HSPA-approved CE. Use HSPA's lesson plans, webinars and approved events for credit. If you are still preparing for the exam, start with the free CRCST diagnostic and the CRCST exam page.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE credits do I need to renew my CRCST?
You need 12 CE credits every year. HSPA says they must be technical and relevant to the sterile processing field.
How much does CRCST renewal cost?
HSPA's renewal page lists a $50 renewal fee, or $60 if you add the optional membership. The $50 covers all the HSPA certifications you hold, but each one needs its own CE credits.
When is my CRCST renewal due?
HSPA says renewals must be received no later than the last day of your certification's anniversary month. Renewing online is processed right away, while mailed renewals take two to three weeks longer.
Do HSPA lesson plans count for CE?
Yes. HSPA gives 2 CE for each lesson plan once you pass the online quiz, 1 CE for a webinar after the survey, and 0.5 CE for a podcast edition after the quiz.
Do workplace in-services count toward CRCST renewal?
Yes, if they are technical and related to sterile processing and your supervisor verifies them. Credit is counted by time: one hour equals 1 CE.
What happens if I renew late?
HSPA's renewal page says renewals must be in by the deadline to avoid a lapse, and that a late renewal shifts the start of your next CE window. If you are past the deadline, contact HSPA for your options.
We are not affiliated with HSPA and never see real exam questions. Every question is written from HSPA's public content outline and the standards it names, so nothing here is a leaked or recalled item. How we write questions
Questions? support@crcstready.com