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CRCST Practice Test 2026: 53 Sterile Processing Exam Questions With Answers

October 17, 2026 · 40 min

Chapters

  1. CRCST practice test
  2. Section 1: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection: Questions 1 to 11
  3. Section 2: Preparation and Packaging: Questions 12 to 22
  4. Section 3: Sterilization Process: Questions 23 to 33
  5. Section 4: Departmental Considerations: Questions 34 to 41
  6. Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory: Questions 42 to 46
  7. Section 6: Professional Development and Human Relations: Questions 47 to 50
  8. Section 7: Patient Care Equipment and Distribution: Questions 51 to 53
  9. Score yourself

Audio from the Open Exam Hub video of the same name; the video shows the numbers and practice questions on screen.

A free full-length CRCST practice test: 53 original sterile processing questions with every answer explained, checked against ANSI/AAMI ST79 concepts, CDC disinfection and sterilization guidance and the HSPA Sterile Processing Technical Manual. Questions are grouped by the seven areas of the HSPA CRCST content outline (revised November 2023) and weighted like it: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection 21% (11 questions: point-of-use care, why cleaning comes first, cool first rinse, ultrasonic cavitation, lumen brushes, protease enzymes, non-critical items, contact time, MEC test strips, washer phases, ATP testing), Preparation and Packaging 21% (11: lighted magnification, ratchet test, insulation testing, peel pouch loading, double pouching, sequential wrapping, internal indicator placement, tray assembly, rigid containers, woven textiles, the 25 lb set limit), Sterilization Process 21% (11: gravity air removal, load configuration, wet packs, cooling, immediate use steam sterilization, EO aeration, no cellulose with hydrogen peroxide, process indicators, BI test pack placement, BI frequency, positive BI recall), Departmental Considerations 15% (8: negative pressure in decon, OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens, EPA disinfectant registration, Safety Data Sheets, ANSI Z358.1 eyewash, attire, humidity, load records), Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory Management 9% (5), Professional Development and Human Relation Skills 8% (4) and Patient Care Equipment and Distribution 5% (3). None repeat the 10 questions in our CRCST explainer. As of October 2026, per HSPA (myhspa.org and the January 2026 certification handbook): 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored) in 3 hours at a Prometric test center, no published passing score (Angoff method), $140 per attempt, 400 hands-on hours for full certification (or within 6 months of passing for provisional), renewal every year with 12 CE credits and $50. Our 40-of-53 target (about 75%) is our own planning goal, not an HSPA number. Questions are original, not real exam questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM).

Full guide
Video: CRCST Exam Explained (2026): format, passing score, cost & 10 practice questions
Free practice questions, study guides and cheat sheets, no signup

Chapters
0:00 CRCST practice test
2:04 Section 1: Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection: Questions 1 to 11
10:03 Section 2: Preparation and Packaging: Questions 12 to 22
17:27 Section 3: Sterilization Process: Questions 23 to 33
25:32 Section 4: Departmental Considerations: Questions 34 to 41
30:55 Section 5: Sterile Storage, Transport and Inventory: Questions 42 to 46
34:23 Section 6: Professional Development and Human Relations: Questions 47 to 50
37:13 Section 7: Patient Care Equipment and Distribution: Questions 51 to 53
39:14 Score yourself

Exam facts are from the official HSPA (CRCST content outline, rev. November 2023) pages as of 2026-10-23. Fees and rules can change, so confirm on the official site before you enroll. Open Exam Hub is an independent study resource, not affiliated with HSPA. Practice questions are not from a real exam. Narration is an AI-generated voice.

Music
"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Reminiscing" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Almost Bliss" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Sound effects: Kenney (kenney.nl), CC0.

#CRCST #SterileProcessing #HSPA