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. Medical equipment preparers in New York earn a median of $57,320 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Researched and edited by · Updated

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

PickProgramScore
Best overallSwedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences certificateNew York · 52 weeks · 400 clinical hours78
Best for the CRCST's 400 hoursQueensborough Community College courseBayside · $2,295 · 400 clinical hours72
Lowest published costNiagara County Community College courseSanborn · $1,35057
FastestBorough of Manhattan Community College courseNew York · 10 weeks · $1,99552
Best online or hybridTrocaire College courseBuffalo · $2,00033

The 14 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 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. Swedish Institute, a College of Health Sciences: Central Service Processing Technician (CSPT)Central Service Processing Technician (CSPT)

    78score of 100

    Best 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
    400hours, meets 400
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Swedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences certificate on the school's site

  2. Queensborough Community College (CUNY): Sterile Processing Technician - Hybrid ClassSterile Processing Technician - Hybrid Class

    72score of 100

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

    Hours
    80instruction
    Clinical
    400hours, meets 400
    Cost
    $2,295published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Official page for the Queensborough Community College course

  3. LaGuardia Community College (CUNY): Central Service Technician CertificateCentral Service Technician Certificate

    67score of 100

    Best 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
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Exam voucher
    • Textbook
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Apply or ask about the LaGuardia Community College course

  4. Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara): Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    57score of 100

    Best 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
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $1,350published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Niagara County Community College's own page for this course

  5. Broome-Tioga BOCES: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    54score of 100

    Best 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.

    Hours
    123instruction
    Clinical
    30hours
    Cost
    $1,810published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Textbook
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Admission details for the Broome-Tioga BOCES course

  6. Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY): Central Sterile Processing ProgramCentral Sterile Processing Program

    52score of 100

    Best 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
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $1,995published total
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Borough of Manhattan Community College course on the school's site

  7. Mohawk Valley Community College: Sterile Processing Techniques MicrocredentialSterile Processing Techniques Microcredential

    50score of 100

    Best 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
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Official page for the Mohawk Valley Community College certificate

  8. Corning Community College (SUNY Corning): Sterile Processing Technician ProgramSterile Processing Technician Program

    49score of 100

    Best 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 for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Apply or ask about the Corning Community College course

  9. Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES: Central Sterile Processing (Central Service Technician)Central Sterile Processing (Central Service Technician)

    40score of 100

    Best 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).

    Hours
    678instruction
    Clinical
    200hours
    Cost
    $8,633published total
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES's own page for this certificate

  10. Trocaire College: Sterile Processing &Amp; Distribution ProgramSterile Processing &Amp; Distribution Program

    33score of 100

    Best 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
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $2,000published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    • Textbook

    Admission details for the Trocaire College course

  11. Maria College: Sterile Processing Technician CertificateSterile Processing Technician Certificate

    25score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Albany

    Maria College (Albany, NY) runs this hybrid certificate (18 months, part-time). Clinical: Supervised clinical placements at approved hospital sites or healthcare facilities (SPT102L Sterile Processing Professional Experience). Weekend classes are offered.

    Weeks
    7818 months, part-time
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    Maria College certificate on the school's site

  12. University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center: Central Sterilization TechnicianCentral Sterilization Technician

    25score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Buffalo

    University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (Buffalo, NY) runs this on campus non-credit course (15 weeks, Monday through Thursday).

    Weeks
    1515 weeks, Monday through Thursday
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Official page for the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center course

  13. Capital Region BOCES: Sterile Processing Technician ProgramSterile Processing Technician Program

    24score of 100

    Best for training around a job near Albany

    Capital Region BOCES (Albany, NY) runs this on campus non-credit course (Part-time, September to March (7 months)). The school publishes a price of $3,940 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Clinical experience at Albany Medical Center, 4 p.m; to 7 p.m. Evening classes are offered.

    Weeks
    30Part-time, September to March (7 months)
    Hours
    270instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $3,940published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    Apply or ask about the Capital Region BOCES course

  14. Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (SUNY Brockport): Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    0score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Rochester

    Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (SUNY Brockport) (Rochester, NY) runs this on campus non-credit course.

    Rochester Educational Opportunity Center's own page for this course

Sterile Processing Schools in New York, Compared

SchoolBest scoreCredentialsClinicalLowest published costAwards, 2022-23
Swedish Institute, A College of Health Sciences: official siteNew York · Private for-profit78Certificate400 hr9
Queensborough Community College (CUNY): official siteBayside · Public72Non-credit course400 hr$2,295
LaGuardia Community College (CUNY): official siteLong Island City · Public67Non-credit courseIncluded
Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara): official siteSanborn · Public57Non-credit courseIncluded$1,350
Broome-Tioga BOCES: official siteJohnson City54Non-credit course30 hr$1,810
Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY): official siteNew York · Public52Non-credit courseIncluded$1,995
Mohawk Valley Community College: official siteUtica · Public50CertificateIncluded
Corning Community College (SUNY Corning): official siteCorning49Non-credit course$1,560
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES: official siteLiverpool · Public40Certificate200 hr$8,6334
Trocaire College: official siteBuffalo · Private nonprofit33Non-credit courseIncluded$2,000
Maria College: official siteAlbany25CertificateIncluded
University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center: official siteBuffalo25Non-credit course
Capital Region BOCES: official siteAlbany24Non-credit courseIncluded$3,940
Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (SUNY Brockport): official siteRochester0Non-credit course

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 New York

Online and Hybrid Options 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.

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
Maria College certificate: hybrid program pageAlbany, NYHybrid78 weeksIncluded
Niagara County Community College course: hybrid program pageSanborn, NYHybridIncluded$1,350published total, 2026-27
Queensborough Community College course: hybrid program pageBayside, NYHybrid80 hours400 hours$2,295published total, 2026-27
Trocaire College course: hybrid program pageBuffalo, NYHybridIncluded$2,000published total, 2026-27

See the online program rankings

How We Rank Sterile Processing Programs in New York

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.

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 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

Programs Near New York Cities

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 Training Programs Does New York Have?

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.

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.

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 sterile processing department. Online program rankings.

More Sterile Processing Rankings

Sources

  1. Official program pages of the 14 New York 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
  4. New York: N.Y. Public Health Law § 2824 (central service technicians; L. 2013, c. 177)
  5. New York: NYS Department of Health letter to hospital administrators, January 20, 2015 (revised August 2016)

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