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Which states require sterile processing certification?

As of October 2026, seven states require sterile processing technicians to be certified: New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Delaware and Minnesota. New hires typically get 18 months to 3 years to certify, and most of these laws also require 10 CE hours a year.

Updated October 2026
7
States with a certification lawHSPA and state sources, 2026
18 mo–3 yrsdeadline for new hires
10CE hours a year in most
3states pending

The seven states

StateRuleNew hires must certify within
New JerseyN.J.A.C. 8:43G-8.2 (hospitals)3 years
New YorkPublic Health Law 2824, since 201518 months
ConnecticutPublic Act 15-11, since 20162 years
PennsylvaniaEffective December 29, 202018 months
TennesseeTenn. Code 68-11-239 (hospitals and ASTCs)2 years
Delaware16 Del. C. 3011A to 3014A18 months
MinnesotaMinn. Stat. 148.781, for hires after December 31, 202724 months

Staff hired before each law's start date are generally grandfathered. Minnesota's law is the newest: it applies to technicians hired after December 31, 2027, and accepts CRCST, CSPDT, CER or CFER.

Pending and often misreported

  • Florida, Oregon and South Carolina are listed by HSPA as active for legislation or regulation, with no law yet.
  • Massachusetts has had bills filed in multiple sessions but no law. As of our last check it has no such law, while Delaware and Minnesota do.

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CRCST FAQ

Do you need certification for sterile processing in New York?

Yes. New hires must obtain CRCST or CSPDT within 18 months, under Public Health Law 2824.

Does Massachusetts require sterile processing certification?

No. Bills have been filed but not enacted.

What is the newest state to require it?

Minnesota, with a 2025 law that applies to technicians hired after December 31, 2027.

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More CRCST guides

Sources
  1. HSPA: Legislative certification issues
  2. New Jersey N.J.A.C. 8:43G-8.2 (HSPA copy)
  3. New York Public Health Law 2824 (HSPA copy)
  4. Connecticut Public Act 15-11 (HSPA copy)
  5. Pennsylvania requirement FAQ (HSPA)
  6. Tennessee Code 68-11-239 (HSPA copy)
  7. Delaware Code Title 16, Chapter 30A
  8. Minnesota Statutes 148.781

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PassPulse is an independent exam preparation tool. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) or the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). Exam, credential and product names mentioned on this page are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the exams and materials described.

This page is for general information only. It is not official guidance from any certifying body, state agency or employer, and it is not legal, medical, career or financial advice. The information on this page may contain errors or omissions, or may be out of date: fees, policies, exam content and state rules change. Practice questions, answers and explanations on PassPulse may also contain errors. Always confirm current requirements and facts directly with the certifying body, your state, your employer or the manufacturer's instructions before you register, apply or act on them. Pass rates and statistics describe past candidates and do not predict your result.
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