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. Sterile processing technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $46,990 a year (BLS, May 2025, medical equipment preparers).
- 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
| Pick | Program | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Concorde Career College-MemphisMemphis · Diploma · 22 weeks · 128 clinical hours | 50 |
| Lowest published cost | Tennessee College of Applied Technology-MurfreesboroMurfreesboro · Certificate · 35 weeks · $3,082 | 48 |
| Fastest | Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville · Non-credit course · 12 weeks | 50 |
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 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.
Concorde Career College-Memphis: Sterile Processing TechnicianSterile Processing Technician
50scoreBest 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
- Instruction
- 264 hr
- Clinical
- 128 hr
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forConcorde Career College-Memphis diploma on the school's site
Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Central Sterile Processing Technician ProgramCentral Sterile Processing Technician Program
50scoreBest 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
- Included
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forOfficial page for the Vanderbilt University Medical Center course
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro: Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)
48scoreBest 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
- Instruction
- 864 hr
- Clinical
- Included
- Cost
- $3,082published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forApply or ask about the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro certificate
Nashville State Community College: Central Sterile Processing Technology Technical CertificateCentral Sterile Processing Technology Technical Certificate
42scoreBest 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
- Included
- Cost
- $4,574published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forNashville State Community College's own page for this certificate
Motlow State Community College: Sterile ProcessingSterile Processing
25scoreBest for classroom preparation near Tullahoma
Motlow State Community College (Tullahoma, TN, public) runs this certificate (Two semesters).
- Weeks
- 32Two semesters
Prepares forAdmission details for the Motlow State Community College certificate
Walters State Community College: Central Processing Technical CertificateCentral Processing Technical Certificate
25scoreBest 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
- Included
Includes- Clinicals
Walters State Community College certificate on the school's site
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson: Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)
0scoreBest for classroom preparation near Jackson
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson (Jackson, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate.
- Instruction
- 864 hr
Official page for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson certificate
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis: Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)Central Sterile Processing Technology (Central Sterile Processing Technician Certificate)
0scoreBest for classroom preparation near Memphis
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis (Memphis, TN, public) runs this on campus certificate.
- Instruction
- 864 hr
Apply or ask about the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis certificate
Sterile Processing Schools in Tennessee, Compared
All 8 sterile processing schools in Tennessee, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concorde Career College-Memphis: official siteMemphis · Private for-profit | 50 | Diploma | 128 hr | ||
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center: official siteNashville | 50 | Non-credit course | Included | ||
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro: official siteMurfreesboro · Public | 48 | Certificate | Included | $3,082 | 13 |
| Nashville State Community College: official siteNashville · Public | 42 | Certificate | Included | $4,574 | 7 |
| Motlow State Community College: official siteTullahoma · Public | 25 | Certificate | |||
| Walters State Community College: official siteMorristown · Public | 25 | Certificate | Included | ||
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Jackson: official siteJackson · Public | 0 | Certificate | |||
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis: official siteMemphis · Public | 0 | Certificate |
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 Tennessee: Every Program
Tennessee has 7 for-credit programs (certificate, diploma or degree) and 1 non-credit course. Each row links to the school's own program page.
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 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.
| 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 Tennessee Programs Are Scored
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.
| 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 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
- Bevill State Community CollegeSumiton, AL · certificate
- Jefferson State Community CollegeBirmingham, AL · non-credit course
- Albany Technical CollegeAlbany, GA · certificate
- Atlanta Technical CollegeAtlanta, GA · certificate
- Augusta Technical CollegeAugusta, GA · certificate
- Chattahoochee Technical CollegeMarietta, GA · certificate
- Concorde Career College-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · diploma
- University of Central MissouriLee's Summit, MO · non-credit course
- Beaufort County Community CollegeWashington, NC · non-credit course
- Coastal Carolina Community CollegeJacksonville, NC · non-credit course
- Craven Community CollegeNew Bern, NC · non-credit course
- Davidson-Davie Community CollegeThomasville, NC · non-credit course
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeRichmond, VA · certificate
- Virginia Western Community CollegeRoanoke, VA · non-credit course
Sterile Processing Classes Near Tennessee 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 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 Sterile Processing Technician Programs Are in Tennessee?
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.
How Do You Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Tennessee?
Finish a training program (8 run in Tennessee), 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. Tennessee law also applies: 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. Every step in order.
How Long Is Sterile Processing Training in Tennessee?
From 12 to 40 weeks among the 6 Tennessee programs that state a length, with a median of 32 weeks. Clinical hours can add time when they come after the classroom part.
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.
Which Tennessee Programs Prepare You for the CRCST?
4 of the 8 name the CRCST on their own pages. The certification program ranking puts those first.
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 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 Alabama2 schools
- Best Programs in Georgia10 schools
- Best Programs in Missouri2 schools
- Best Programs in North Carolina14 schools
- Rankings by StateEvery state's ranking
Sources
- Official program pages of the 8 Tennessee 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
- Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-239 (Pub. Ch. 1004, 2016, SB 2581)
- Tennessee: Pub. Ch. 178 (2017, HB 766), amending § 68-11-239