Florida · Verified November 2026

Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Florida

What Are the Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Florida?

H W Brewster Technical College in Tampa ranks first among 13 schools offering sterile processing technician programs in Florida, with a score of 79 of 100. 15 sterile processing technician programs in Florida run at 15 schools, with the most in Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami. 9 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 $1,898 at Lively Technical College. Medical equipment preparers in Florida earn a median of $45,890 a year (BLS, May 2025).

schools in Florida
15
programs
15
include clinical hours
9
median published cost
$2,683
median pay (BLS May 2025)
$45,890

Top Picks in Florida

PickProgramScore
Best overallH W Brewster Technical College certificateTampa · 30 weeks · 400 clinical hours79
Best for the CRCST's 400 hoursIndian River State College certificateFort Pierce · 26 weeks · 410 clinical hours58
Lowest published costLively Technical College certificateTallahassee · $1,89835
FastestTom P. Haney Technical College certificatePanama City · 20 weeks · $2,68329
Best online or hybridSanta Fe College certificateGainesville · 32 weeks · $3,203.1045

The 13 Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Florida, 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. H W Brewster Technical College: Central Sterile Processing TechnologyCentral Sterile Processing Technology

    79score of 100

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

    H W Brewster Technical College (Tampa, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (7 months). Clinical: 400 hours of hands-on experience (cleaning, wrapping and packaging, tray assembly, sterilization, storage, patient care equipment, case carts, distribution); clinical hours vary. The school reported 11 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Weeks
    307 months
    Clinical
    400hours, meets 400
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  2. Indian River State College: Central Service TechnologyCentral Service Technology

    58score of 100

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

    Indian River State College (Fort Pierce, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (6 months). Clinical: STS 0013L Central Sterile Processing Clinical, 410 hours.

    Weeks
    266 months
    Hours
    650instruction
    Clinical
    410hours, meets 400
    Includes
    • Clinicals
  3. Atlantic Technical College: Central Sterile Processing TechnologyCentral Sterile Processing Technology

    53score of 100

    Best for a published, all-in price near Coconut Creek

    Atlantic Technical College (Coconut Creek, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (About 6 months full-time). The school publishes a price of $2,236 for the program. Clinical: Clinical externship at local hospital and outpatient facilities; externship hours may vary. The school reported 18 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Weeks
    26About 6 months full-time
    Hours
    650instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $2,236published total
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
    • CSPDTCBSPD
  4. Concorde Career Institute-Tampa: Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)

    50score of 100

    Best for hands-on training near Tampa

    Concorde Career Institute-Tampa (Tampa, FL, private for-profit) runs this diploma (16 instructional weeks; average 5 months full-time). Clinical: CRST1244 Sterile Processing Externship, 80 hours.

    Weeks
    22
    Hours
    216instruction
    Clinical
    80hours
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  5. Florida State College at Jacksonville: Central Sterile Processing Technologist (T.C.)Central Sterile Processing Technologist (T.C.)

    50score of 100

    Best for hands-on training near Jacksonville

    Florida State College at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate. Clinical: Program outcomes include logging a minimum of 180/400 hours of Central Service Technician clinical hands-on experience.

    Credits
    30
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  6. Santa Fe College: Sterile Processing Technology, C.C.C.Sterile Processing Technology, C.C.C.

    45score of 100

    Best for hybrid study near Gainesville

    Santa Fe College (Gainesville, FL, public) runs this hybrid certificate (Two semesters). The school publishes a price of $3,203.10 for the program. Clinical: Clinical internships at local hospitals (STS 2947, 6 credits); students must be available 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. The school reported 8 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Weeks
    32Two semesters
    Credits
    30
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $3,203.10published total
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
    • CSPDTCBSPD
  7. Lively Technical College: Central Sterile Processing TechnologyCentral Sterile Processing Technology

    35score of 100

    Best for a published, all-in price near Tallahassee

    Lively Technical College (Tallahassee, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (650 clock hours). The school publishes a price of $1,898 for the program (2025-26).

    Hours
    650instruction
    Cost
    $1,898published total, 2025-26
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  8. Tom P. Haney Technical College: Central Sterile Processing TechnologyCentral Sterile Processing Technology

    29score of 100

    Best for a published, all-in price near Panama City

    Tom P. Haney Technical College (Panama City, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (650 hours / 20 weeks). The school publishes a price of $2,683 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Required off-campus clinicals; the 410-hour Central Sterile Processing Technician course is listed in the catalog as a practicum.

    Weeks
    20650 hours / 20 weeks
    Hours
    650instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $2,683published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
  9. Concorde Career Institute-Jacksonville: Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)

    25score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Jacksonville

    Concorde Career Institute-Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL, private for-profit) runs this diploma.

    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  10. Concorde Career Institute-Miramar: Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)

    25score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Miramar

    Concorde Career Institute-Miramar (Miramar, FL, private for-profit) runs this diploma.

    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  11. Concorde Career Institute-Orlando: Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)Sterile Processing Technician (Diploma)

    25score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Orlando

    Concorde Career Institute-Orlando (Orlando, FL, private for-profit) runs this diploma.

    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
  12. Miami Dade College: Central Sterile Processing Technician Career Technical CertificateCentral Sterile Processing Technician Career Technical Certificate

    25score of 100

    Best for training around a job near Miami

    Miami Dade College (Miami, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (8 months (2 semesters)). Clinical: Clinical placement at a facility in Miami-Dade County within STS 0013 Central Sterile Processing Technician (410 hours). Evening classes are offered.

    Weeks
    358 months (2 semesters)
    Hours
    650instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
  13. Lindsey Hopkins Technical College: Central Sterile Processing TechnologyCentral Sterile Processing Technology

    6score of 100

    Best for training around a job near Miami

    Lindsey Hopkins Technical College (Miami, FL, public) runs this on campus certificate (650 hours). Evening classes are offered. The school reported 2 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Hours
    650instruction
    Cost
    $2.56per clock hour

Sterile Processing Schools in Florida, Compared

SchoolBest scoreCredentialsClinicalLowest published costAwards, 2022-23
H W Brewster Technical College: official siteTampa · Public79Certificate400 hr11
Indian River State College: official siteFort Pierce · Public58Certificate410 hr
Atlantic Technical College: official siteCoconut Creek · Public53CertificateIncluded$2,23618
Concorde Career Institute-Tampa: official siteTampa · Private for-profit50Diploma80 hr
Florida State College at Jacksonville: official siteJacksonville · Public50CertificateIncluded
Santa Fe College: official siteGainesville · Public45CertificateIncluded$3,203.108
Lively Technical College: official siteTallahassee · Public35Certificate$1,898
Tom P. Haney Technical College: official sitePanama City · Public29CertificateIncluded$2,683
Eastern Florida State College: official siteMelbourne · Public28CertificateIncluded$6,65615
Concorde Career Institute-Jacksonville: official siteJacksonville · Private for-profit25Diploma
Concorde Career Institute-Miramar: official siteMiramar · Private for-profit25Diploma
Concorde Career Institute-Orlando: official siteOrlando · Private for-profit25Diploma
Miami Dade College: official siteMiami · Public25CertificateIncluded
Lindsey Hopkins Technical College: official siteMiami · Public6Certificate2
Pensacola State College: official sitePensacola · Public0Certificate

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 Florida

Online and Hybrid Options for Florida 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 Florida.

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
Eastern Florida State College certificate: hybrid program pageMelbourne, FLHybrid30 creditsIncluded$6,656published total, 2025
Santa Fe College certificate: hybrid program pageGainesville, FLHybrid32 weeksIncluded$3,203.10published total

See the online program rankings

How We Rank Sterile Processing Programs in Florida

Every Florida 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 Florida

No Florida 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 Florida

bottom tenth
$35,630
median
$45,890
top tenth
$62,000
employed
5,250

Florida's median of $45,890 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 Florida

Programs Near Florida Cities

Questions About Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Florida

What Is the Best Sterile Processing Technician Program in Florida?

Central Sterile Processing Technology at H W Brewster Technical College ranks first with a score of 79 of 100, ahead of Indian River State College (58) and Atlantic Technical College (53). 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 Florida Have?

15 at 15 schools, verified on each school's own site in November 2026. Jacksonville (2), Tampa (2), Miami (2) and Coconut Creek (1) have the most.

Which Florida Programs Include Clinical Hours?

Atlantic Technical College, Concorde Career Institute-Tampa, Eastern Florida State College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, H W Brewster Technical College and Indian River State 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 Florida?

Among the 5 Florida programs that publish a price for the whole program, cost runs from $1,898 to $6,656, with a median of $2,683.

How Much Do Sterile Processing Technicians Make in Florida?

The median for medical equipment preparers in Florida is $45,890 a year, with the bottom tenth earning $35,630 and the top tenth $62,000, across 5,250 jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The national median is $47,700. Pay in every state.

Can Florida Residents Train Online?

Partly. 3 programs put all coursework online, and 2 Florida 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 Florida 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