New York · Verified November 2026
Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in New York
What Are the Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in New York?
Swedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences in New York ranks first among 14 schools offering sterile processing technician programs in New York, with a score of 78 of 100. 14 sterile processing technician programs in New York run at 14 schools, with the most in New York, Albany and Buffalo. 11 include clinical hours, and 2 state the 400 hands-on hours that HSPA's CRCST, the central service technician certification, requires. The lowest published price is $1,350 at Niagara County Community College. Central service technicians at general hospitals, including hospitals that provide ambulatory surgery, must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST, CSPDT or substantially equivalent credential. Technicians with one year of work in the four years before the law took effect are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify. Sterile processing technicians in New York earn a median of $57,320 a year (BLS, May 2025, medical equipment preparers).
- schools in New York
- 14
- programs
- 14
- include clinical hours
- 11
- median published cost
- $1,995
- median pay (BLS May 2025)
- $57,320
Top Picks in New York
| Pick | Program | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Swedish Institute, A College of Health SciencesNew York · Certificate · 52 weeks · 400 clinical hours | 78 |
| Best for the CRCST's 400 hours | Queensborough Community CollegeBayside · Non-credit course · $2,295 · 400 clinical hours | 72 |
| Lowest published cost | Niagara County Community CollegeSanborn · Non-credit course · $1,350 | 57 |
| Fastest | Borough of Manhattan Community CollegeNew York · Non-credit course · 10 weeks · $1,995 | 52 |
| Best online or hybrid | Trocaire CollegeBuffalo · Non-credit course · $2,000 | 33 |
The 10 Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in New York, Ranked
How this list is ranked: highest score first. The score (out of 100) adds hands-on training (35), certification prep (25), published cost (25) and the school's federal track record in the field (15), each from the school's own pages or IPEDS; a part a program has no figure for is left out and the rest are rescaled. One program per school; programs not admitting students are left out.
Swedish Institute, a College of Health Sciences: Central Service Processing Technician (CSPT)Central Service Processing Technician (CSPT)
78scoreBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours near New York
Swedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences (New York, NY, private for-profit) runs this on campus certificate (As few as 12 months (full-time students)). Clinical: 400 hours of clinical externship training in hospital and surgical center settings before graduation. The school reported 9 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).
- Weeks
- 52As few as 12 months (full-time students)
- Clinical
- 400 hr
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forSwedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences certificate on the school's site
Queensborough Community College (CUNY): Sterile Processing Technician - Hybrid ClassSterile Processing Technician - Hybrid Class
72scoreBest for finishing with full CRCST clinical hours done near Bayside
Queensborough Community College (CUNY) (Bayside, NY, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (Jan; 25 - Feb; 24 online, Mar; 01 - Mar; 10 in-person labs). The school publishes a price of $2,295 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Eligible students may complete a 400-hour externship with Northwell Health. Evening classes are offered.
- Instruction
- 80 hr
- Clinical
- 400 hr
- Cost
- $2,295published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forOfficial page for the Queensborough Community College course
LaGuardia Community College (CUNY): Central Service Technician CertificateCentral Service Technician Certificate
67scoreBest for having the certification exam paid for near Long Island City
LaGuardia Community College (CUNY) (Long Island City, NY, public) runs this non-credit course. Clinical: A 400-hour internship is needed for full industry certification; the student secures the facility, with possible support for internship or job placement.
- Clinical
- Included
Includes- Clinicals
- Exam voucher
- Textbook
Prepares forNiagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara): Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician
57scoreBest for hybrid study near Sanborn
Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara) (Sanborn, NY, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (February 22 - May 15, 2027). The school publishes a price of $1,350 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Clinicals at Mercy Hospital, Buffalo, on Saturday mornings or Thursday evenings. Evening classes are offered.
- Clinical
- Included
- Cost
- $1,350published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forBroome-Tioga BOCES: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician
54scoreBest for training around a job near Johnson City
Broome-Tioga BOCES (Johnson City, NY) runs this on campus non-credit course (November 23, 2026 - May 24, 2027, Mondays 4:00-8:00 pm). The school publishes a price of $1,810 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: 30 clinical hours. Evening classes are offered.
- Instruction
- 123 hr
- Clinical
- 30 hr
- Cost
- $1,810published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
- Textbook
Prepares forBorough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY): Central Sterile Processing ProgramCentral Sterile Processing Program
52scoreBest for a published, all-in price near New York
Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY) (New York, NY, public) runs this non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $1,995 for the program. Clinical: HSPA requires 400 internship hours for full CRCST certification; students arrange them.
- Weeks
- 10
- Clinical
- Included
- Cost
- $1,995published total
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forBorough of Manhattan Community College course on the school's site
Mohawk Valley Community College: Sterile Processing Techniques MicrocredentialSterile Processing Techniques Microcredential
50scoreBest for hands-on training near Utica
Mohawk Valley Community College (Utica, NY, public) runs this certificate. Clinical: ST220 Sterile Processing Clinical Practice (6 credits) partners students with experienced sterile processing technicians in a healthcare facility.
- Clinical
- Included
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forOfficial page for the Mohawk Valley Community College certificate
Corning Community College (SUNY Corning): Sterile Processing Technician ProgramSterile Processing Technician Program
49scoreBest for having the certification exam paid for near Corning
Corning Community College (SUNY Corning) (Corning, NY) runs this on campus non-credit course (Thursdays, October 1 - December 10, 2026, 9 am - 3 pm). The school publishes a price of $1,560 for the program (2026-27).
- Cost
- $1,560published total, 2026-27
Includes- Exam voucher
Prepares forOnondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES: Central Sterile Processing (Central Service Technician)Central Sterile Processing (Central Service Technician)
40scoreBest for a published, all-in price near Liverpool
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES (Liverpool, NY, public) runs this on campus certificate. The school publishes a price of $8,633 for the program. Clinical: 200-hour internship at a local health care facility. The school reported 4 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).
- Instruction
- 678 hr
- Clinical
- 200 hr
- Cost
- $8,633published total
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forOnondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES's own page for this certificate
Trocaire College: Sterile Processing &Amp; Distribution ProgramSterile Processing &Amp; Distribution Program
33scoreBest for hybrid study near Buffalo
Trocaire College (Buffalo, NY, private nonprofit) runs this hybrid non-credit course (May 24 - August 19 (2027 cohort)). The school publishes a price of $2,000 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Clinical experience August 2 - August 13; no classes during clinical. Evening classes are offered.
- Clinical
- Included
- Cost
- $2,000published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
- Textbook
More New York Sterile Processing Schools: Ranks 11 to 14
How this list is ranked: the same score as the ranking above, continued.
| Rank | Program | Score | Length | Clinical | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Maria College: Sterile Processing Technician CertificateAlbany, NY | 25 | 78 weeks | Included | |
| 12 | University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center: Central Sterilization TechnicianBuffalo, NY | 25 | 15 weeks | ||
| 13 | Capital Region BOCES: Sterile Processing Technician ProgramAlbany, NY | 24 | 30 weeks | Included | $3,940 |
| 14 | Rochester Educational Opportunity Center: Sterile Processing TechnicianRochester, NY | 0 |
Sterile Processing Schools in New York, Compared
All 14 sterile processing schools in New York, side by side: each school's best score, the credentials it offers, its longest stated clinical placement, its lowest published price and its federal award count.
From each school's own pages, reviewed November 2026. Best score: the school's highest-scoring program. Awards from IPEDS 2022-23 (CIP 51.1012) count credit certificates conferred, not graduates; non-credit courses aren't counted. Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.
Sterile Processing Technician Training in New York: Every Program
New York has 4 for-credit programs (certificate, diploma or degree) and 10 non-credit courses; 6 offer evening or weekend classes, and 4 are hybrid. Each row links to the school's own program page.
From each school's own program page, reviewed November 2026. Cost is the school's published price or its stated rate. Blank cells: the school's pages don't give that figure.
Online Sterile Processing Technician Programs for New York Residents
Online coursework still leads to hands-on hours in a real department: the CRCST requires 400 of them. Hybrid programs here hold labs or clinicals in New York.
| Program | Format | Length | Clinical hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kishwaukee College: online program pageMalta, IL | Online | 16 weeks | $1,300published total, 2026-27 | |
| Herzing University-Madison: online program pageMadison, WI | Online | 43 weeks | Included | $530per credit, 2026-27 |
| Lehman College: online program pageBronx, NY | Online | 80 hours | Included | |
| Maria College: hybrid program pageAlbany, NY | Hybrid | 78 weeks | Included | |
| Niagara County Community College: hybrid program pageSanborn, NY | Hybrid | Included | $1,350published total, 2026-27 | |
| Queensborough Community College: hybrid program pageBayside, NY | Hybrid | 80 hours | 400 | $2,295published total, 2026-27 |
| Trocaire College: hybrid program pageBuffalo, NY | Hybrid | Included | $2,000published total, 2026-27 |
How the New York Programs Are Scored
Every New York program is scored out of 100 from figures on the school's own pages and federal data. A part a program has no figure for is left out and the others are rescaled, so a missing fact never counts against it.
| Part | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on training | 35 | Clinical hours the program states, measured against the 400 hands-on hours HSPA's CRCST requires. A program at 400 hours or more scores full marks; clinical time without stated hours scores 15 of 35. |
| Certification prep | 25 | 15 points when the program's page names the CRCST or CSPDT exam, and 10 more when the exam fee or a voucher is included. |
| Cost | 25 | The whole-program price the school publishes, ranked against every priced program. Per-credit rates are never multiplied out. |
| Track record | 15 | Awards in the field the school reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2022-23 (IPEDS, CIP 51.1012), on a log scale that reaches full marks at 50. |
Sterile Processing Technician Certification in New York
Central service technicians at general hospitals, including hospitals that provide ambulatory surgery, must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST, CSPDT or substantially equivalent credential. Technicians with one year of work in the four years before the law took effect are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify.
Credentials the law accepts: CRCST (HSPA), CSPDT (CBSPD), a substantially equivalent credential. New hires: eighteen months from the date of hire.
N.Y. Public Health Law § 2824 (central service technicians; L. 2013, c. 177) · NYS Department of Health letter to hospital administrators, January 20, 2015 (revised August 2016) · checked 2026-11-11
Sterile Processing Technician Salary in New York
- bottom tenth
- $39,140
- median
- $57,320
- top tenth
- $71,000
- employed
- 5,190
New York's median of $57,320 is above the national median of $47,700. Figures are annual wages for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093), the BLS occupation for sterile processing technicians, OEWS May 2025.
Schools in States Near New York
- Connecticut State Community CollegeNew Britain, CT · non-credit course
- Bunker Hill Community CollegeBoston, MA · certificate
- JVS BostonBoston, MA · non-credit course
- Massachusetts Bay Community CollegeWellesley Hills, MA · certificate
- North Shore Community CollegeDanvers, MA · non-credit course
- American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education (AIMS Education)Piscataway, NJ · certificate
- Bergen Community CollegeParamus, NJ · non-credit course
- Berkeley CollegeWoodland Park, NJ · certificate
- MCI Institute (Medical Career Institute)Ocean, NJ · certificate
- Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh, PA · certificate
- Delaware County Community CollegeMedia, PA · non-credit course
- Montgomery County Community CollegePottstown, PA · non-credit course
- Philadelphia Technician Training InstitutePhiladelphia, PA · certificate
Sterile Processing Classes Near New York Cities
Each city page lists the classes you can attend in person within 50 miles, with the distance, plus online options. The number after a city is how many programs are that close; a city without one shows the closest schools instead.
- Albany 2
- Bayside 8
- Bronx 8
- Brooklyn 8
- Buffalo 3
- Corning 1
- Elmont 8
- Garden City 8
- Johnson City 1
- Lake Ronkonkoma 4
- Liverpool 2
- Long Island City 8
- Manhattan 8
- Mount Vernon 8
- New York 8
- Niagara Falls 3
- Northeast Ithaca 3
- Peekskill 6
- Poughkeepsie
- Queens 8
- Rochester 1
- Roosevelt 8
- Sanborn 3
- Selden 3
- Spring Valley 7
- Staten Island 8
- Stony Brook 5
- Syracuse 2
- Tonawanda 3
- Utica 2
- West Babylon 7
- Westbury 8
Questions About Sterile Processing Technician Programs in New York
What Is the Best Sterile Processing Technician Program in New York?
Central Service Processing Technician (CSPT) at Swedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences ranks first with a score of 78 of 100, ahead of Queensborough Community College (72) and LaGuardia Community College (67). The score weighs hands-on hours, certification prep, published cost and the school's federal track record. How the score works.
How Many Sterile Processing Technician Programs Are in New York?
14 at 14 schools, verified on each school's own site in November 2026. New York (2), Albany (2), Buffalo (2) and Johnson City (1) have the most.
How Do You Become a Sterile Processing Technician in New York?
Finish a training program (14 run in New York), log hands-on hours in a hospital, and pass a certification exam: HSPA's CRCST, which needs 400 hands-on hours for full certification, or CBSPD's CSPDT. New York law also applies: Central service technicians at general hospitals, including hospitals that provide ambulatory surgery, must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST, CSPDT or substantially equivalent credential. Technicians with one year of work in the four years before the law took effect are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify. Every step in order.
How Long Is Sterile Processing Training in New York?
From 10 to 78 weeks among the 5 New York programs that state a length, with a median of 30 weeks. Clinical hours can add time when they come after the classroom part.
Which New York Programs Include Clinical Hours?
Borough of Manhattan Community College, Broome-Tioga BOCES, Capital Region BOCES, LaGuardia Community College, Maria College and Mohawk Valley Community College and others include clinical or practicum time. HSPA's CRCST requires 400 hands-on hours for full certification. How the 400-hour requirement works.
How Much Does Training Cost in New York?
Among the 8 New York programs that publish a price for the whole program, cost runs from $1,350 to $8,633, with a median of $1,995.
Does New York Require Sterile Processing Certification?
Central service technicians at general hospitals, including hospitals that provide ambulatory surgery, must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST, CSPDT or substantially equivalent credential. Technicians with one year of work in the four years before the law took effect are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify. Accepted credentials: CRCST (HSPA), CSPDT (CBSPD), a substantially equivalent credential. Certification requirements in every state.
Which New York Programs Prepare You for the CRCST?
6 of the 14 name the CRCST on their own pages, and 2 include the exam fee or a voucher. The certification program ranking puts those first.
How Much Do Sterile Processing Technicians Make in New York?
The median for medical equipment preparers in New York is $57,320 a year, with the bottom tenth earning $39,140 and the top tenth $71,000, across 5,190 jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The national median is $47,700. Pay in every state.
Can New York Residents Train Online?
Partly. 3 programs put all coursework online, and 4 New York programs are hybrid, but the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours happen in a real hospital department. Online program rankings.
More Rankings and Certification Guides
- Best Programs NationwideEvery verified program, scored on hands-on hours, certification prep, cost and track record
- Online and Hybrid RankingsOnline and hybrid programs, and how each one gets you hands-on hours
- Most Affordable RankingsPrograms ranked by the whole-program price each school publishes
- With Externships RankingsPrograms with clinical hours in a hospital sterile processing department
- CRCST CertificationThe 400-hour requirement and the exam
- Certification Requirements by StateWhich states require it by law
- Best Programs in Connecticut1 school
- Best Programs in Massachusetts4 schools
- Best Programs in New Jersey6 schools
- Best Programs in Pennsylvania4 schools
- Rankings by StateEvery state's ranking
Sources
- Official program pages of the 14 New York schools listed, reviewed November 2026
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23, CIP 51.1012
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Medical Equipment Preparers, state estimates
- New York: N.Y. Public Health Law § 2824 (central service technicians; L. 2013, c. 177)
- New York: NYS Department of Health letter to hospital administrators, January 20, 2015 (revised August 2016)