When you start researching sterile processing certification, you’ll run into two sets of letters: CRCST and CBSPD. They sound similar and people mix them up constantly. Here’s the difference — and which one to pursue.
The quick version
- CRCST is a credential issued by HSPA (the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association). It stands for Certified Registered Central Service Technician.
- CBSPD is a certifying organization — the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution. The technician credential it offers is the CSPDT (Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician).
So the honest comparison is really CRCST (HSPA) vs. CSPDT (CBSPD) — two entry-level sterile processing certifications from two different bodies.
Aseptic Technical Solutions is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with HSPA or CBSPD.
What they have in common
Both certifications:
- Cover the same core work — decontamination, inspection, assembly, sterilization, and distribution.
- Are recognized entry points into a sterile processing career.
- Require passing a knowledge exam plus hands-on experience.
If you learn the material well, you’re prepared for the concepts either exam tests.
How they differ
- Recognition. The CRCST is the more widely recognized and requested credential in most job postings, and it’s the one most commonly named in state certification laws.
- Certifying body. CRCST comes from HSPA; CSPDT comes from CBSPD. Each sets its own exam, fees, and renewal rules.
- Curriculum. ATS programs follow the HSPA 9th Edition and prepare you specifically for the CRCST.
Which should you get?
For most people starting out, the CRCST is the safer first credential — it’s the one employers most often ask for by name, and the one most likely to satisfy state requirements where certification is mandatory. Check your state: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Minnesota.
Still getting your bearings on the credential itself? Start with What Is a CRCST?
Ready to start?
ATS preps you for the CRCST three ways — self-study, virtual, and in-person — with hospital internship assistance for the experience requirement. Grab the free Career Roadmap to choose your path.