Tennessee · Verified November 2026

Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Tennessee

What Are the Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Tennessee?

Concorde Career College-Memphis in Memphis ranks first among 8 schools offering sterile processing technician programs in Tennessee, with a score of 50 of 100. 8 sterile processing technician programs in Tennessee run at 8 schools, with the most in Memphis, Nashville and Tullahoma. 5 include clinical hours. The lowest published price is $3,082 at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro. Central service technicians at hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians working before January 1, 2017 are exempt, and new hires have two years to certify. Medical equipment preparers in Tennessee earn a median of $46,990 a year (BLS, May 2025).

Researched and edited by · Updated

schools in Tennessee
8
programs
8
include clinical hours
5
median published cost
$3,082
median pay (BLS May 2025)
$46,990

Top Picks in Tennessee

PickProgramScore
Best overallConcorde Career College-Memphis diplomaMemphis · 22 weeks · 128 clinical hours50
Lowest published costTennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro certificateMurfreesboro · 35 weeks · $3,08248
FastestVanderbilt University Medical Center courseNashville · 12 weeks50

The 8 Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Tennessee, 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. Concorde Career College-Memphis: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician

    50score of 100

    Best for hands-on training near Memphis

    Concorde Career College-Memphis (Memphis, TN, private for-profit) runs this diploma (16 instructional weeks full time; average 5 months). Clinical: 128-hour externship; graduates complete the remaining 272 of HSPA's 400 hours on their own.

    Weeks
    22
    Hours
    264instruction
    Clinical
    128hours
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Concorde Career College-Memphis diploma on the school's site

  2. Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Central Sterile Processing Technician ProgramCentral Sterile Processing Technician Program

    50score of 100

    Best for hands-on training near Nashville

    Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN) runs this on campus non-credit course (12 weeks). Clinical: Clinical hands-on training as required for the HSPA CRCST certification.

    Weeks
    1212 weeks
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA

    Official page for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center course

  3. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro: Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)

    48score of 100

    Best for a published, all-in price near Murfreesboro

    Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro (Murfreesboro, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate (About 8 months full time (two trimesters)). The school publishes a price of $3,082 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: CSP 2012 Clinical Practicum in the second trimester. The school reported 13 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Weeks
    35
    Hours
    864instruction
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $3,082published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Apply or ask about the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro certificate

  4. Nashville State Community College: Central Sterile Processing Technology Technical CertificateCentral Sterile Processing Technology Technical Certificate

    42score of 100

    Best for a published, all-in price near Nashville

    Nashville State Community College (Nashville, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate (One year). The school publishes a price of $4,574 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Courses combine classroom and clinical time. The school reported 7 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).

    Weeks
    40One year
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Cost
    $4,574published total, 2026-27
    Includes
    • Clinicals
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Nashville State Community College's own page for this certificate

  5. Motlow State Community College: Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing

    25score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Tullahoma

    Motlow State Community College (Tullahoma, TN, public) runs this certificate (Two semesters).

    Weeks
    32Two semesters
    Prepares for
    • CRCSTHSPA
    • CSPDTCBSPD

    Admission details for the Motlow State Community College certificate

  6. Walters State Community College: Central Processing Technical CertificateCentral Processing Technical Certificate

    25score of 100

    Best for hands-on training near Morristown

    Walters State Community College (Morristown, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate (Two semesters). Clinical: Includes an internship or practicum.

    Weeks
    32Two semesters
    Credits
    24
    Clinical
    Yesincluded
    Includes
    • Clinicals

    Walters State Community College certificate on the school's site

  7. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson: Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)

    0score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Jackson

    Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson (Jackson, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate.

    Hours
    864instruction

    Official page for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson certificate

  8. Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis: Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)

    0score of 100

    Best for classroom preparation near Memphis

    Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis (Memphis, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate.

    Hours
    864instruction

    Apply or ask about the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis certificate

Sterile Processing Schools in Tennessee, Compared

SchoolBest scoreCredentialsClinicalLowest published costAwards, 2022-23
Concorde Career College-Memphis: official siteMemphis · Private for-profit50Diploma128 hr
Vanderbilt University Medical Center: official siteNashville50Non-credit courseIncluded
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro: official siteMurfreesboro · Public48CertificateIncluded$3,08213
Nashville State Community College: official siteNashville · Public42CertificateIncluded$4,5747
Motlow State Community College: official siteTullahoma · Public25Certificate
Walters State Community College: official siteMorristown · Public25CertificateIncluded
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson: official siteJackson · Public0Certificate
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis: official siteMemphis · 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 Tennessee

Online and Hybrid Options for Tennessee 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.

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

See the online program rankings

How We Rank Sterile Processing Programs in Tennessee

Every Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Central service technicians at hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians working before January 1, 2017 are exempt, and new hires have two years to certify.

Credentials the law accepts: CRCST (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM), CSPDT (CBSPD). New hires: not later than two years after the date of hire or contracting.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-239 (Pub. Ch. 1004, 2016, SB 2581) · Pub. Ch. 178 (2017, HB 766), amending § 68-11-239 · checked 2026-11-11

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Tennessee

bottom tenth
$35,090
median
$46,990
top tenth
$60,360
employed
1,590

Tennessee's median of $46,990 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 Tennessee

Programs Near Tennessee Cities

Questions About Sterile Processing Technician Programs in Tennessee

What Is the Best Sterile Processing Technician Program in Tennessee?

Sterile Processing Technician at Concorde Career College-Memphis ranks first with a score of 50 of 100, ahead of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (50) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro (48). 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 Tennessee Have?

8 at 8 schools, verified on each school's own site in November 2026. Memphis (2), Nashville (2), Tullahoma (1) and Jackson (1) have the most.

Which Tennessee Programs Include Clinical Hours?

Concorde Career College-Memphis, Nashville State Community College, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Walters State Community College 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 Tennessee?

Among the 2 Tennessee programs that publish a price for the whole program, cost runs from $3,082 to $4,574, with a median of $3,082.

Does Tennessee Require Sterile Processing Certification?

Central service technicians at hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers must pass a nationally accredited central service exam and hold a CRCST or CSPDT credential. Technicians working before January 1, 2017 are exempt, and new hires have two years to certify. Accepted credentials: CRCST (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM), CSPDT (CBSPD). Certification requirements in every state.

How Much Do Sterile Processing Technicians Make in Tennessee?

The median for medical equipment preparers in Tennessee is $46,990 a year, with the bottom tenth earning $35,090 and the top tenth $60,360, across 1,590 jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The national median is $47,700. Pay in every state.

Can Tennessee 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 sterile processing department. Online program rankings.

More Sterile Processing Rankings

Sources

  1. Official program pages of the 8 Tennessee 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. Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-239 (Pub. Ch. 1004, 2016, SB 2581)
  5. Tennessee: Pub. Ch. 178 (2017, HB 766), amending § 68-11-239

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