Texas · Verified November 2026

Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Texas

What Are the Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Texas?

Temple College in Temple ranks first among 15 schools offering sterile processing technician programs in Texas, with a score of 61 of 100. 17 sterile processing technician programs in Texas run at 15 schools, with the most in Houston, San Antonio and Austin. 15 include clinical hours, and 1 states the 400 hands-on hours that HSPA's CRCST, the central service technician certification, requires. The lowest published price is $900 at Del Mar College. Medical equipment preparers in Texas earn a median of $46,970 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Researched and edited by · Updated

schools in Texas
15
programs
17
include clinical hours
15
median published cost
$1,960
median pay (BLS May 2025)
$46,970

Top Picks in Texas

PickProgramScore
Best overallTemple College courseTemple · 22 weeks · $2,234 · 80 clinical hours61
Best for the CRCST's 400 hoursLone Star College-Tomball courseTomball · 400 clinical hours58
Lowest published costDel Mar College courseCorpus Christi · $90060
FastestKilgore College courseKilgore · 8 weeks · $90054
Best online or hybridAustin Community College courseAustin · 13 weeks · $1,14059

The 15 Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Texas, 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 sterile processing (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.

  1. Temple College: Sterile Processing and Distribution TechnicianSterile Processing and Distribution Technician

    61score of 100

    Best for having the certification exam paid for near Temple

    Temple College (Temple, TX, public) runs this on campus non-credit course (5 months). The school publishes a price of $2,234 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: SRGT 1060 Clinical, 80 contact hours; students may be eligible for an optional 80-hour off-site externship Monday to Friday. Evening classes are offered.

    Weeks
    225 months
    Hours
    160instruction
    Clinical
    80hours
    Cost
    $2,234published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Exam voucher
    • Textbook
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Temple College course on the school's site

  2. Del Mar College: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    60score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Corpus Christi

    Del Mar College (Corpus Christi, TX, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $900 for the program. Clinical: Clinical rotations at local hospital sites.

    Hours
    80instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $900published total
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Official page for the Del Mar College course

  3. Austin Community College: Sterile Processing (Certified Sterile Processing Technician)Sterile Processing (Certified Sterile Processing Technician)

    59score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Austin

    Austin Community College (Austin, TX) runs this hybrid non-credit course (3 months, about 9 hours per week). The school publishes a price of $1,140 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: SRGT-1060 Sterile Processing Clinical at a local hospital.

    Weeks
    133 months, about 9 hours per week
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $1,140published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Apply or ask about the Austin Community College course

  4. Lone Star College-Tomball: Sterile Processing Technician Practicum TrackSterile Processing Technician Practicum Track

    58score of 100

    Best for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours near Tomball

    Lone Star College-Tomball (Tomball, TX) runs this non-credit course. Clinical: 400-hour Sterile Processing Practicum, open after completing the Non-Practicum Certificate.

    Clinical
    400hours, meets 400
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    Lone Star College-Tomball's own page for this course

  5. Kilgore College: Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing

    54score of 100

    Best for having the certification exam paid for near Kilgore

    Kilgore College (Kilgore, TX, public) runs this on campus non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $900 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Clinical training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from week 4 at assigned facilities.

    Weeks
    8
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $900published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Exam voucher

    Admission details for the Kilgore College course

  6. Alamo Colleges District (Alamo Technical Institute): Certified Sterile Processing Technician (CSPDT)Certified Sterile Processing Technician (CSPDT)

    53score of 100

    Best for having the certification exam paid for near San Antonio

    Alamo Colleges District (Alamo Technical Institute) (San Antonio, TX) runs this hybrid non-credit course (5 months). The school publishes a price of $3,855 for the program. Clinical: 112-hour supervised externship in healthcare settings.

    Weeks
    225 months
    Hours
    264instruction
    Clinical
    112hours
    Cost
    $3,855published total
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Exam voucher
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Alamo Colleges District course on the school's site

  7. Dallas College: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    52score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Dallas

    Dallas College (Dallas, TX, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (About 4 months). The school publishes a price of $1,960 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: SRGT 1060 Sterile Processing Clinical, 120 hours.

    Weeks
    17About 4 months
    Hours
    216instruction
    Clinical
    120hours
    Cost
    $1,960published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Official page for the Dallas College course

  8. Collin College: Central Sterile Processing, Level 1 CertificateCentral Sterile Processing, Level 1 Certificate

    50score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near McKinney

    Collin College (McKinney, TX, public) runs this hybrid certificate (2 semesters). Clinical: HPRS 1561 on-site clinical capstone in the second (spring) semester.

    Weeks
    322 semesters
    Credits
    16
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Apply or ask about the Collin College certificate

  9. Concorde Career College: Sterile Processing Technician DiplomaSterile Processing Technician Diploma

    50score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near San Antonio

    Concorde Career College (San Antonio, TX) runs this hybrid diploma. Clinical: 80-hour unpaid, in-person externship toward the 400-hour HSPA requirement; graduates complete the remaining 320 hours on their own.

    Weeks
    22
    Hours
    216instruction
    Clinical
    80hours
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Concorde Career College's own page for this diploma

  10. South Plains College: Certificate in Sterile Processing TechnicianCertificate in Sterile Processing Technician

    50score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Lubbock

    South Plains College (Lubbock, TX) runs this hybrid certificate (2 semesters). Clinical: Experience in a sterile processing and central service setting. Evening classes are offered.

    Weeks
    322 semesters
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Admission details for the South Plains College certificate

  11. Tarrant County College District: Central Sterile Processing Certificate (Level 1)Central Sterile Processing Certificate (Level 1)

    46score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Fort Worth

    Tarrant County College District (Fort Worth, TX, public) runs this hybrid certificate (2 semesters, full time). The school publishes a price of $1,184 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Second-semester clinical, tentatively Mondays and Wednesdays 7 a.m; to 3 p.m; 240 total clinic hours arranged by the program director. The school reported 3 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Weeks
    322 semesters, full time
    Credits
    16
    Clinical
    240hours
    Cost
    $1,184published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    Tarrant County College District certificate on the school's site

  12. Fortis College: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    45score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Houston

    Fortis College (Houston, TX, private for-profit) runs this hybrid diploma (36 instructional weeks). The school publishes a price of $18,063 for the program (2025-26). Clinical: SPT190 Externship, 180 clock hours, unpaid, scheduled during typical office hours. The school reported 32 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Hours
    780instruction
    Clinical
    180hours
    Cost
    $18,063published total, 2025-26
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Textbook
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Official page for the Fortis College diploma

  13. Fortis Institute: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    44score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Houston

    Fortis Institute (Houston, TX, private for-profit) runs this hybrid diploma (36 instructional weeks). The school publishes a price of $18,063 for the program (2025-26). Clinical: Three externship courses: SPT180 (120 clock hours), SPT185 (180 clock hours) and SPT190 (120 clock hours). Evening classes are offered. The school reported 32 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Hours
    900instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $18,063published total, 2025-26
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Textbook
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Apply or ask about the Fortis Institute diploma

  14. College of the Mainland: Sterile Processing Technician CertificateSterile Processing Technician Certificate

    25score of 100

    Best for hands-on training near Texas City

    College of the Mainland (Texas City, TX, public) runs this on campus non-credit course (2 to 4 months). Clinical: Clinicals and lab practice; all assigned clinical hours must be completed.

    Weeks
    172 to 4 months
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    College of the Mainland's own page for this course

  15. Houston Community College: Sterile Processing, C1Sterile Processing, C1

    25score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Houston

    Houston Community College (Houston, TX, public) runs this on campus and hybrid certificate (2 semesters, full time). Clinical: Clinical rotations at partner healthcare institutions.

    Weeks
    322 semesters, full time
    Credits
    16
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    Admission details for the Houston Community College certificate

Sterile Processing Schools in Texas, Compared

SchoolBest scoreCredentialsClinicalLowest published costAwards, 2022-23
Temple College: official siteTemple · Public61Non-credit course80 hr$2,234
Del Mar College: official siteCorpus Christi · Public60Non-credit courseIncluded$900
Austin Community College: official siteAustin59Non-credit courseIncluded$1,140
Lone Star College-Tomball: official siteTomball58Non-credit course400 hr
Kilgore College: official siteKilgore · Public54Non-credit courseIncluded$900
Alamo Colleges District (Alamo Technical Institute): official siteSan Antonio53Non-credit course112 hr$3,855
Dallas College: official siteDallas · Public52Non-credit course120 hr$1,960
Collin College: official siteMcKinney · Public50CertificateIncluded
Concorde Career College: official siteSan Antonio50Diploma80 hr
South Plains College: official siteLubbock50CertificateIncluded
Tarrant County College District: official siteFort Worth · Public46Certificate240 hr$1,1843
Fortis College: official siteHouston · Private for-profit45Diploma180 hr$18,06332
Fortis Institute: official siteHouston · Private for-profit44DiplomaIncluded$18,06332
College of the Mainland: official siteTexas City · Public25Non-credit courseIncluded
Houston Community College: official siteHouston · Public25CertificateIncluded

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.

Every Sterile Processing Technician Program in Texas

Online and Hybrid Options for Texas 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 Texas.

ProgramFormatLengthClinicalCost
Kishwaukee College course: online program pageMalta, ILOnline16 weeks$1,300published total, 2026-27
Herzing University-Madison diploma: online program pageMadison, WIOnline43 weeksIncluded$530per credit, 2026-27
Lehman College course: online program pageBronx, NYOnline80 hoursIncluded
Alamo Colleges District course: hybrid program pageSan Antonio, TXHybrid22 weeks112 hours$3,855published total
Austin Community College course: hybrid program pageAustin, TXHybrid13 weeksIncluded$1,140published total, 2026-27
Collin College certificate: hybrid program pageMcKinney, TXHybrid32 weeksIncluded
Concorde Career College diploma: hybrid program pageSan Antonio, TXHybrid22 weeks80 hours
Dallas College course: hybrid program pageDallas, TXHybrid17 weeks120 hours$1,960published total, 2026-27
Del Mar College course: hybrid program pageCorpus Christi, TXHybrid80 hoursIncluded$900published total
Fortis College diploma: hybrid program pageHouston, TXHybrid780 hours180 hours$18,063published total, 2025-26
Fortis Institute diploma: hybrid program pageHouston, TXHybrid900 hoursIncluded$18,063published total, 2025-26
Houston Community College certificate: hybrid program pageHouston, TXHybrid32 weeksIncluded
Houston Community College certificate: hybrid program pageHouston, TXHybrid32 weeks
South Plains College certificate: hybrid program pageLubbock, TXHybrid32 weeksIncluded
Tarrant County College District certificate: hybrid program pageFort Worth, TXHybrid32 weeks240 hours$1,184published total, 2026-27

See the online program rankings

How We Rank Sterile Processing Programs in Texas

Every Texas 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.

PartWeightWhat it measures
Hands-on training35Clinical 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 prep2515 points when the program's page names the CRCST or CSPDT exam, and 10 more when the exam fee or a voucher is included.
Cost25The whole-program price the school publishes, ranked against every priced program. Per-credit rates are never multiplied out.
Track record15Sterile processing awards 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.

Full ranking methodology

Sterile Processing Technician Certification in Texas

No Texas law in force requires sterile processing certification, so the requirement comes from employers. Many hospitals hire for, or ask new technicians to earn, HSPA's CRCST (the central service technician credential) or CBSPD's CSPDT. Full CRCST certification needs 400 hands-on hours in a sterile processing department; you can test first and hold provisional status while you log them.

How the CRCST and its 400 hours work · States that require certification by law

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Texas

bottom tenth
$35,390
median
$46,970
top tenth
$69,950
employed
4,520

Texas's median of $46,970 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 Texas

Programs Near Texas Cities

Questions About Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Texas

What Is the Best Sterile Processing Technician Program in Texas?

Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician at Temple College ranks first with a score of 61 of 100, ahead of Del Mar College (60) and Austin Community College (59). The score weighs hands-on hours, certification prep, published cost and the school's federal track record. How the score works.

How Many Training Programs Does Texas Have?

17 at 15 schools, verified on each school's own site in November 2026. Houston (3), San Antonio (2), Austin (1) and Texas City (1) have the most.

Which Texas Programs Include Clinical Hours?

Alamo Colleges District, Austin Community College, College of the Mainland, Collin College, Concorde Career College and Dallas 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 Texas?

Among the 9 Texas programs that publish a price for the whole program, cost runs from $900 to $18,063, with a median of $1,960.

How Much Do Sterile Processing Technicians Make in Texas?

The median for medical equipment preparers in Texas is $46,970 a year, with the bottom tenth earning $35,390 and the top tenth $69,950, across 4,520 jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The national median is $47,700. Pay in every state.

Can Texas Residents Train Online?

Partly. 3 programs put all coursework online, and 12 Texas programs are hybrid, but the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours happen in a real sterile processing department. Online program rankings.

More Sterile Processing Rankings

Sources

  1. Official program pages of the 15 Texas schools listed, reviewed November 2026
  2. U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022-23, CIP 51.1012
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Medical Equipment Preparers, state estimates

Every program on this site was checked on the school's own website in November 2026. Clinical hours, exam prep and fees are shown as each school states them. Certification rules come from HSPA and CBSPD's own pages, and school completions from U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) data. Sponsored listings are labeled as ads and never change which programs we list or how we rank them. How we verify programs