How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Louisiana

Do you dream of working in healthcare?

Does anxiety over medical school get in your way?

Believe it or not, you could work in a hospital, medical center, or clinic, helping prepare surgical tools for procedures, without ever having to go to med school.

Sterile Processing Technicians organize and prepare medical tools, sanitizing and decontaminating them to keep people from getting infections.

Here’s how to become an SPT in Louisiana.

How to Become an SPT

Sterile Processing Technicians don’t face any sort of certification requirements in Louisiana, but it’s still highly recommended you have some sort of training before applying to Sterile Processing jobs.

After all, your application will be up against a lot of other competitive candidates, many of whom will have prior experience or some form of hands-on training.

That’s exactly why most Sterile Processing Technicians pursue certification through the HSPA, which has been certifying people since 1971.

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

Once you’ve submitted your complete application and passed a criminal background check (a necessity, since many healthcare facilities legally can’t hire people with certain criminal convictions), you can apply for your testing date.

The HSPA will give you all you need to study, like online courses, content outlines, reference materials, and their Certification Handbook.

Once you’ve passed, you won’t have to worry about certification for a year in total, after which you must pay a $50 renewal fee.

You’ll also need to provide evidence that you’ve been taking continuing education courses.

Sterile Processing Schools in Louisiana

Here are the available Sterile Processing courses in Louisiana:

University of Louisiana Lafayette

University of Louisiana Lafayette provides an online, self-paced course.

The 190-hour course costs $3,290 in total and includes a voucher that pays for the HSPA’s certification test. 

You’ll only need a functional computer, working internet, and access to a personal email account — other than that, all the materials you’ll need will be sent to you beforehand.

Though the course itself is fully online, the clinical experience portion is in person, and you can expect to be placed with a local healthcare facility to obtain the necessary hands-on hours for your certification.

Baton Rouge Community College

Students who have been admitted to Baton Rouge Community College can apply for the one-semester, four-credit hour Sterile Processing course.

The course prepares students for the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution’s certification test, and it consists of  64 hours of classroom/lab training at the campus and 86 hours of clinical training offsite.

In order to be eligible for the course, you must have a high school diploma or GED and be eligible to take ENGL 1013 and MATH 1113/1213.

You’ll also have to pass a drug screen and a background check in order to be placed at a healthcare facility for the practical portion of the course.

Southern University Shreveport Louisiana

SUSLA offers a Certificate of Technical Studies for Sterile Processing Technicians that prepares students for the HSPA’s CRCST exam.

You must pass a criminal background check and complete a mandatory health form in order to participate in this course.

During the course, students will be given the opportunity to pursue hands-on clinical hours, and you may even get the chance to apply for an internship to complete your required hours once you graduate.

The course is 27 credit hours in total, lasting two semesters. 

SOWELA Technical College

SOWELA offers a Certificate of Technical Studies program for Sterile Processing.

The course is 18 credit hours in total and prepares students for the HSPA’s CRCST exam.

The course is only available during the Fall semester.

Delgado Community College

Delgado Community College offers a Certificate of Technical Studies program for Sterile Processing.

Graduates will be prepared for the CBSPD’s certification exam, and the course lasts 22 credit hours in total.

You can expect a full year of schooling to complete the course, with 12 units in the first semester and 10 in the second.

University of New Orleans

The University of New Orleans’ Professional, Adult, and Continuing Education Division offers a 264-hour long course on Sterile Processing.

The program costs $3,499 and stretches over 8 months in total to get you ready for the HSPA’s CRCST exam.

In addition to the standard Sterile Processing techniques, UNO’s course also teaches their students digital literacy, keeping them up to date on all the technology they’ll need to practice.

Salary

In Louisiana, Sterile Processing Technicians have reported that they make $42,991 a year on average.

However, some make nearly $48,000 a year.

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
New Orleans	$44,267
Baton Rouge	$42,493
Shreveport	$41,571
Lafayette	$41,226
Lake Charles	$40,973
Kenner	$44,243
Bossier City	$41,571
Monroe	$40,721
Alexandria	$40,061
New Iberia	$40,985

Regional Salary in Louisiana

* 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 to be licensed to work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Louisiana?

No, Louisiana does not have any requirements or regulations for Sterile Processing Techs, but certification is recommended to help you get a job.

How much can I make as a Sterile Processing Technician in Louisiana?

On average, Sterile Processing Techs make $42,991 in Louisiana.

Does Louisiana have Sterile Processing Programs available?

Yes, Louisiana actually has quite a few Sterile Processing courses available, ranging in price, total length, and requirements to attend.

Sterile Processing Technician Info by State