How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Georgia

With a career as a Sterile Processing Technician, you could work anywhere from clinics to hospitals to medical centers without ever having to go to medical school.

SPTs aid surgeons with their medical procedures; they decontaminate and distribute medical tools, contributing directly to patient care.

And the best part is, in Georgia, you don’t have to worry about attending eight years of medical school to become an SPT!

How to Become an SPT

Though Georgia doesn’t require certification for Sterile Processing Technicians, the job market is extremely competitive, so you’ll probably need more than your high school diploma or GED to be hired.

After all, candidates who are certified, or have hands-on experience, are much more likely to be hired, so why not give yourself a leg up?

The HSPA has been certifying people since 1971, and they even have a Georgia-specific professional association.

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

You can obtain your certification through one of the HSPA’s four levels of certifications:

• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) – the base-level certification for SPTs
• Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) – an endoscope-specific certification
• Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) – an advanced instrument certification
• Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) – a certification for SPT management

You’ll need to submit an application complete with all the required documentation and a criminal background check before you can register to take the test.

The HSPA provides everything you’ll need to study for it, from online courses to content outlines, reference materials to the HSPA’s Certification Handbook.

Once you’ve passed, you’ll be certified for a year.

You’ll have to renew each and every year after that with a $50 fee and continuing education courses.

Sterile Processing Schools in Georgia

If you’d like even more help, here are some Georgia programs that will prepare you for certification as a Sterile Processing Technician.

Some will even provide you with hands-on experience!

Gwinnett Technical College

Gwinnett Technical College offers a Central Sterile Processing Program for just $100 per credit hour — and their course is eligible for financial aid. 

Their graduates boast an 82% pass rate on the HSPA’s CRCST test, quite a bit higher than the international 64% pass rate.

Their curriculum consists of both classroom instruction and hands-on training in advanced labs and clinical rotations in local hospitals.

Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University offers a $3,390 total course for Sterile Processing that can be taken completely online, apart from the in-person clinical experience portion.

It’s a 190-course hour stretching over a 12-month period, though since it’s self-paced, you can complete it as quickly as you’d like.

The course will also provide you with a voucher so you don’t have to pay to register for the HSPA test.

You’ll need a functional computer and internet to complete the course, as well as access to a personal email account.

Albany Technical College

Albany Technical College provides a technical certificate of credit for Central Sterile Supply Processing.

In total, the course is 9 credits long, and you must be at least 17 with a high school diploma or GED to apply.

You’ll also need the following test scores:

ACCUPLACER NEXT GENERATION

• Reading – 232
• Writing – 236
• Arithmetic – 235

ACCUPLACER

• Sentence Skills – 60
• Reading Comprehension – 64
• Arithmetic – 40

Salary

The average base yearly salary in Georgia is $43,770.

In some places, however, you could earn nearly $49,000 a year as an SPT.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Atlanta	$44,306
Augusta	$42,212
Columbus	$41,025
Savannah	$42,386
Athens	$43,989
Macon	$41,900
Roswell	$44,136
Albany	$41,465
Marietta	$44,179
Warner Robins	$41,774

Regional Salary in Georgia

* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical Equipment Preparers, OCC Code 31-9093, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need certification to work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Georgia?

No, Georgia doesn’t require certification for their Sterile Processing Techs.

However, getting yourself certified can often help your chances of getting a job, so it’s highly recommended.

Who certifies Sterile Processing Technicians in Georgia?

The HSPA certifies Sterile Processing Techs nationally — however, they do have a branch for professionals specifically in Georgia!

How much do Sterile Processing Techs typically make in Georgia?

Sterile Processing Techs are on the low end nationally in the state of Georgia.

The average salary is $43,770, but that can range from just over $38,000 a year to just under $49,000.

Sterile Processing Technician Info by State