How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Florida

Sterile Processing Technicians are vital to the flow of each and every hospital and clinic.

They help surgeons before, during, and after medical procedures by decontaminating and organizing their medical tools — all without the stress of having to attend medical school.

If you’ve been looking for a job that will let you help people with a relatively quick turnaround time for training, read on to find out how to become an SPT in Florida.

How to Become an SPT

In Florida, you don’t need to be certified to become a Sterile Processing Technician.

Still, that doesn’t mean a high school diploma or GED will necessarily be enough — the job market is competitive, and jobs usually go to candidates with more experience and training.

Luckily, to get certified, you have to look no further than the HSPA, which has been certifying people since 1971.

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

You can obtain your certification through one of the HSPA’s four levels of certifications:

• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) – the base-level certification for SPTs
• Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) – an endoscope-specific certification
• Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) – an advanced instrument certification
• Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) – a certification for SPT management

After you’ve applied to take the test (which will require documentation and a background check), you’ll have to study for it.

But don’t worry, you’ll receive online courses, content outlines, reference materials, and the HSPA’s Certification Handbook in advance to help you out.

Certification lasts a year in total and can be renewed with a $50 fee and evidence of continuing education courses.

Sterile Processing Schools in Florida

Florida offers a wealth of courses for those interested in becoming a Sterile Processing Technician.

Florida Institute of Sterile Processing

Florida Institute of Sterile Processing offers both in-person and online courses on a monthly basis.

The program is $1500 in total, including a $300 non-refundable registration fee, and includes an application for the CBSPD test, continuing education credits to help you renew your certification, and a surgical instruments workshop.

Students can get reduced tuition if they apply as a group, too, and there are payment plans available.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College offers an 8-month (two semester) Career Technical Certificate for Sterile Processing.

The course can also be taken to earn 6 credits towards a Surgical Technology degree.

The college strongly recommends either not working while in the program or working a maximum of 20 hours a week, especially since you’ll be assigned to a clinic within Miami-Dade County as part of the course.

If you’d like, you can take the courses fully online, though you’ll still have to be in person for your clinical experience.

Concorde Career College

Concorde Career College’s Orlando campus offers a four-month course on Sterile Processing that consists of 9 credit hours and 128 externship hours.

Their coursework is blended, taking place both online and in-person, and teaches students how to keep inventory of their medical tools and properly disinfect and sterilize them.

The course prepares you for the HSPA’s CRCST test and can also be transferred into a degree in Sterile Technology if you’re so inclined.  

Unfortunately, this course isn’t eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Fortis College

Fortis College offers a Sterile Processing program that’s Financial Aid-eligible and provides Career Services after you graduate to help you find a job.

All you need to apply is a high school diploma or GED; then, you’ll fill out a personal questionnaire sheet and have the chance to tour the campus and visit the financial aid office.

Once you’ve finished the course, you’ll be able to take the test to get certified as a Sterile Processing Technician!

Salary

In Florida, Sterile Processing Technicians make an average of $42,853 a year.

However, some make much more — upwards of $47,000 total!

Annual Salary Range: Annual Salary by Location:

Location	Avg. Annual Salary
Jacksonville	$42,889
Miami	$43,778
Tampa	$42,934
Saint Petersburg	$42,943
Hialeah	$43,575
Orlando	$42,849
Fort Lauderdale	$43,805
Tallahassee	$40,642
Hollywood	$43,805
Pembroke Pines	$43,521

Regional Salary in Florida

* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Medical Equipment Preparers, OCC Code 31-9093, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to practice as a Sterile Processing Technician in Florida?

No, you don’t need to be licensed or certified to be a Sterile Processing Tech in Florida, but being certified can help you make more money and improve your odds of being hired.

Does Florida have programs available to train to be a Sterile Processing Technician?

Yes — in fact, Florida has more Sterile Processing schools and courses than most other states.

How much money could I make as a Sterile Processing Technician in Florida?

The average wage for a Sterile Processing Tech is $42,853 a year in Florida, but you could make as much as $47,000!

Sterile Processing Technician Info by State