What Professional Associations Exist for Sterile Processing Technicians?

The Short Answer

Two organizations lead the sterile processing profession: the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) and the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Both offer nationally recognized certifications, continuing education, and networking opportunities that can significantly advance your career and earning potential.

Why Professional Associations Matter for Your Career

Joining a professional association isn’t just about adding a line to your resume—it’s about investing in your professional growth and connecting with a community that supports patient safety. These organizations set industry standards, provide the certifications employers require, and offer resources that keep you current as sterilization technology and protocols evolve.

Think of membership as your ongoing professional development toolkit. You’ll gain access to training, networking, job opportunities, and credentials that demonstrate your commitment to excellence.

Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), formerly known as the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), serves as the primary professional organization for sterile processing technicians.

Certifications Offered:

Educational Resources:

HSPA provides comprehensive learning materials including the Sterile Processing Technical Manual and the Endoscope Reprocessing Manual—essential references you’ll use throughout your career. Members also receive PROCESS magazine, which covers industry updates, best practices, and professional development topics.

Continuing Education Requirements:

To maintain HSPA certifications, you’ll need 12 CE credits annually. You can earn these through workshops, webinars, hospital in-services, and the annual HSPA Conference & Expo (which attracts over 1,000 attendees). Local chapter meetings also provide CE opportunities while building your professional network.

Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)

The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) focuses specifically on credentialing sterile processing professionals. CBSPD is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), adding weight to their certifications.

Certifications Offered:

Exam and Recertification:

CBSPD examinations are administered at Prometric testing centers nationwide. Recertification requires between 100 and 150 CE points every five years, depending on your certification level. CE opportunities include courses, webinars, published articles, and regional seminars.

Standards Alignment:

CBSPD aligns certification requirements with ANSI/AAMI ST79 (steam sterilization) and ANSI/AAMI ST91 (flexible endoscope processing) guidelines. This means your CBSPD certification demonstrates competency in the specific standards that govern sterile processing practices.

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)

While not exclusively focused on sterile processing, the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) develops the standards and recommended practices that define sterile processing protocols.

Familiarity with AAMI standards—particularly ST79 and ST91—demonstrates advanced industry knowledge. AAMI also offers educational resources and hosts the AAMI Communities online forums, where sterile processing professionals discuss challenges, share solutions, and stay current on emerging practices.

Comparing Your Membership Options

How Membership Benefits Your Career

Continuing Education:

Both HSPA and CBSPD emphasize ongoing learning—and for good reason. Sterilization technology, infection control protocols, and regulatory requirements continuously evolve. CE requirements ensure you stay current, making you more valuable to employers and more effective at protecting patients.

Advocacy and Standards Development:

Your professional associations work behind the scenes to shape healthcare policy. HSPA collaborates with educational institutions like Purdue University to advance sterile processing education. Both organizations work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Joint Commission to develop and implement patient safety best practices.

Networking and Career Growth:

The HSPA Annual Conference & Expo brings together over 1,000 professionals for workshops on instrument reprocessing, leadership development, and compliance strategies. Local chapter meetings provide regional networking opportunities. These connections can lead to job opportunities, mentorships, and collaborations that accelerate your career.

Contact Information

Your Next Steps

1. Research certification options: Compare HSPA’s CRCST with CBSPD’s CSPDT—both are widely recognized, but local employer preferences may vary

2. Check employer requirements: Ask potential employers which certifications they prefer or require

3. Explore membership benefits: Visit myhspa.org and cbspd.net to review membership levels and costs

4. Join a local chapter: If HSPA has a chapter in your area, attend a meeting to connect with local professionals

5. Start earning CE credits: Even before certification, beginning your continuing education demonstrates commitment to the profession

Professional associations connect you to the resources, credentials, and community that define successful sterile processing careers. By actively participating—pursuing certifications, completing continuing education, and networking with peers—you’ll build expertise, credibility, and opportunities that serve you throughout your healthcare career.