Pennsylvania · Verified November 2026
Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Pennsylvania
What Are the Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Pennsylvania?
Delaware County Community College in Media ranks first among 4 schools offering sterile processing technician programs in Pennsylvania, with a score of 82 of 100. 4 sterile processing technician programs in Pennsylvania run at 4 schools, with the most in Pittsburgh, Media and Pottstown. 4 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 $1,295 at Delaware County Community College. Hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities and freestanding surgical outpatient facilities may employ only central service technicians who have passed a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians employed on or before the act's effective date are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify. Sterile processing technicians in Pennsylvania earn a median of $45,820 a year (BLS, May 2025, medical equipment preparers).
- schools in Pennsylvania
- 4
- programs
- 4
- include clinical hours
- 4
- median published cost
- $2,650
- median pay (BLS May 2025)
- $45,820
Top Picks in Pennsylvania
| Pick | Program | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Delaware County Community CollegeMedia · Non-credit course · $1,295 · 400 clinical hours | 82 |
| Best for the CRCST's 400 hours | Montgomery County Community CollegePottstown · Non-credit course · $2,650 · 400 clinical hours | 71 |
| Lowest published cost | Philadelphia Technician Training InstitutePhiladelphia · Certificate · 31 weeks · $23,000 | 30 |
The 4 Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Pennsylvania, 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.
Delaware County Community College: Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950)Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950)
82scoreBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours near Media
Delaware County Community College (Media, PA, public) runs this on campus non-credit course (Wednesdays, January 27 to May 19, 2027). The school publishes a price of $1,295 for the program (Spring 2027). Clinical: 400-hour externship. Evening classes are offered.
- Instruction
- 60 hr
- Clinical
- 400 hr
- Cost
- $1,295published total, Spring 2027
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forDelaware County Community College course on the school's site
Montgomery County Community College: Sterile Processing Technician (BICEC 1614)Sterile Processing Technician (BICEC 1614)
71scoreBest for finishing with full CRCST clinical hours done near Pottstown
Montgomery County Community College (Pottstown, PA) runs this on campus non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $2,650 for the program. Clinical: 400-hour externship at Pottstown Hospital after the lecture component, scheduled by the instructor.
- Instruction
- 432 hr
- Clinical
- 400 hr
- Cost
- $2,650published total
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forOfficial page for the Montgomery County Community College course
Philadelphia Technician Training Institute: Sterile Processing and Central Services Technician ProgramSterile Processing and Central Services Technician Program
30scoreBest for training around a job near Philadelphia
Philadelphia Technician Training Institute (Philadelphia, PA, private nonprofit) runs this on campus certificate (31 weeks). The school publishes a price of $23,000 for the program. Clinical: Internships and externships are part of the program. Evening classes are offered. The school reported 97 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).
- Weeks
- 3131 weeks
- Clinical
- Included
- Cost
- $23,000published total
Includes- Clinicals
Apply or ask about the Philadelphia Technician Training Institute certificate
Community College of Allegheny County: Central Service Technician, Certificate (438.2)Central Service Technician, Certificate (438.2)
26scoreBest for hands-on training near Pittsburgh
Community College of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA, public) runs this on campus certificate (One semester). Clinical: Clinical experiences in area hospital Central Service departments. The school reported 2 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).
- Weeks
- 16One semester
- Clinical
- Included
Includes- Clinicals
Community College of Allegheny County's own page for this certificate
Sterile Processing Schools in Pennsylvania, Compared
All 4 sterile processing schools in Pennsylvania, 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.
| School | Best score | Credentials | Clinical | Lowest published cost | Awards, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County Community College: official siteMedia · Public | 82 | Non-credit course | 400 hr | $1,295 | |
| Montgomery County Community College: official sitePottstown | 71 | Non-credit course | 400 hr | $2,650 | |
| Philadelphia Technician Training Institute: official sitePhiladelphia · Private nonprofit | 30 | Certificate | Included | $23,000 | 97 |
| Community College of Allegheny County: official sitePittsburgh · Public | 26 | Certificate | Included | 2 |
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 Pennsylvania: Every Program
Pennsylvania has 2 for-credit programs (certificate, diploma or degree) and 2 non-credit courses; 2 offer evening or weekend classes. Each row links to the school's own program page.
| Program | Credential | Format | Length | Clinical hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County Community College: Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950)Media | Non-credit course | On campus, Evening | 60 hours | 400 | $1,295published total, Spring 2027 |
| Montgomery County Community College: Sterile Processing Technician (BICEC 1614)Pottstown | Non-credit course | On campus | 432 hours | 400 | $2,650published total |
| Philadelphia Technician Training Institute: Sterile Processing and Central Services Technician ProgramPhiladelphia | Certificate | On campus, Evening | 31 weeks | Included | $23,000published total |
| Community College of Allegheny County: Central Service Technician, Certificate (438.2)Pittsburgh | Certificate | On campus | 16 weeks | Included |
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 Pennsylvania Residents
Online coursework still leads to hands-on hours in a real department: the CRCST requires 400 of them. Check where each program places you for clinicals before you apply.
| 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 |
How the Pennsylvania Programs Are Scored
Every Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities and freestanding surgical outpatient facilities may employ only central service technicians who have passed a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians employed on or before the act's effective date are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify.
Credentials the law accepts: CRCST (HSPA), CSPDT (CBSPD). New hires: 18 months from the date of hire.
Act of Oct. 29, 2020, P.L. 710, No. 80 (Central Service Technician and Surgical Technologist Regulation Act), §§ 301-302; effective in 60 days · checked 2026-11-11
Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Pennsylvania
- bottom tenth
- $37,500
- median
- $45,820
- top tenth
- $57,070
- employed
- 3,450
Pennsylvania's median of $45,820 is below 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 Pennsylvania
- Delaware Technical Community CollegeDover, DE · non-credit course
- Anne Arundel Community CollegeArnold, MD · non-credit course
- Chesapeake CollegeWye Mills, MD · non-credit course
- Community College of Baltimore CountyEssex, MD · non-credit course
- Frederick Community CollegeFrederick, MD · 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
- Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY)New York, NY · non-credit course
- Broome-Tioga BOCESJohnson City, NY · non-credit course
- Capital Region BOCESAlbany, NY · non-credit course
- Corning Community College (SUNY Corning)Corning, NY · non-credit course
- Collins Career Technical CenterChesapeake, OH · certificate
- Columbus State Community CollegeColumbus, OH · certificate
- Cuyahoga Community CollegeCleveland, OH · certificate
- Lorain County Community CollegeElyria, OH · certificate
- Blue Ridge Community and Technical CollegeMartinsburg, WV · certificate
- Southern West Virginia Community and Technical CollegeLogan, WV · certificate
Sterile Processing Classes Near Pennsylvania 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.
Questions About Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Pennsylvania
What Is the Best Sterile Processing Technician Program in Pennsylvania?
Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950) at Delaware County Community College ranks first with a score of 82 of 100, ahead of Montgomery County Community College (71) and Philadelphia Technician Training Institute (30). 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 Pennsylvania?
4 at 4 schools, verified on each school's own site in November 2026. Pittsburgh (1), Media (1), Pottstown (1) and Philadelphia (1) have the most.
How Do You Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Pennsylvania?
Finish a training program (4 run in Pennsylvania), 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. Pennsylvania law also applies: Hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities and freestanding surgical outpatient facilities may employ only central service technicians who have passed a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians employed on or before the act's effective date are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify. Every step in order.
How Long Is Sterile Processing Training in Pennsylvania?
From 16 to 31 weeks among the 2 Pennsylvania programs that state a length, with a median of 16 weeks. Clinical hours can add time when they come after the classroom part.
Which Pennsylvania Programs Include Clinical Hours?
Community College of Allegheny County, Delaware County Community College, Montgomery County Community College and Philadelphia Technician Training Institute 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 Pennsylvania?
Among the 3 Pennsylvania programs that publish a price for the whole program, cost runs from $1,295 to $23,000, with a median of $2,650.
Does Pennsylvania Require Sterile Processing Certification?
Hospitals, ambulatory surgical facilities and freestanding surgical outpatient facilities may employ only central service technicians who have passed a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians employed on or before the act's effective date are exempt, and new hires have 18 months to certify. Accepted credentials: CRCST (HSPA), CSPDT (CBSPD). Certification requirements in every state.
Which Pennsylvania Programs Prepare You for the CRCST?
2 of the 4 name the CRCST on their own pages. The certification program ranking puts those first.
How Much Do Sterile Processing Technicians Make in Pennsylvania?
The median for medical equipment preparers in Pennsylvania is $45,820 a year, with the bottom tenth earning $37,500 and the top tenth $57,070, across 3,450 jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The national median is $47,700. Pay in every state.
Can Pennsylvania Residents Train Online?
Partly. 3 programs put all coursework online, and many 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 Delaware1 school
- Best Programs in Maryland6 schools
- Best Programs in New Jersey6 schools
- Best Programs in New York14 schools
- Rankings by StateEvery state's ranking
Sources
- Official program pages of the 4 Pennsylvania 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
- Pennsylvania: Act of Oct. 29, 2020, P.L. 710, No. 80 (Central Service Technician and Surgical Technologist Regulation Act), §§ 301-302; effective in 60 days