CBSPD Certification Guide: Requirements, Exam, and What It Takes to Pass
The CBSPD certification is one of two nationally recognized credentials in sterile processing. If you've already earned your CRCST or have a year of hands-on experience in central service, this credential is worth your attention. Here's what you need to know before you start preparing.
What Is the CBSPD?
The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) is an independent credentialing organization that has been issuing sterile processing certifications since 1978. The board offers several credentials depending on your role and experience level:
For most technicians, the CSPD is the target credential.
CBSPD Eligibility Requirements
To sit for the CBSPD (CSPD) exam, you must meet one of the following experience criteria:
There is no formal education requirement, but the CBSPD does require that your experience be verifiable by an employer or supervisor. You will need to submit documentation when you apply.
CBSPD Exam Format
The CBSPD exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. You have three hours to complete it. The exam is computer-based and can be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or online with remote proctoring.
Content areas include:
The passing score is approximately 70%, though the CBSPD uses a scaled scoring model.
CBSPD Exam Cost and Application
The exam fee is $225. Applications are submitted through the CBSPD website. Processing time after application submission is typically two to three weeks before you receive your authorization to test. Budget for study materials separately; the CBSPD does not publish an official study guide, but several third-party prep resources exist.
How to Prepare for the CBSPD Exam
The most effective preparation combines practical knowledge from your daily work with structured review of content areas you're less familiar with. Focus particular attention on sterilization parameters, biological indicators, and documentation requirements, as these appear frequently on the exam and are areas where many candidates underestimate the depth of knowledge required.
Recommended study resources include the CBSPD content outline (downloadable from their website), Central Service Technical Manual published by IAHCSMM, and flashcard sets available through platforms like Quizlet specifically built for sterile processing exams.
Most candidates spend four to eight weeks studying before sitting for the exam. If you already hold a CRCST, your preparation time will be shorter because the content overlap is significant.
CBSPD Renewal
The CBSPD credential must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires ten continuing education hours per year (20 total over the two-year period) and a $100 renewal fee for current members. CE credits can be earned through CBSPD-approved courses, webinars, and in-person conferences.
Does the CBSPD Help You Get Hired?
Yes, with some context. The CBSPD is recognized across the country and appears in job postings from hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and outpatient facilities. However, the CRCST is requested more frequently in posting language because of its association with IAHCSMM, which is the dominant professional association in central service.
Holding both the CRCST and CBSPD gives you a competitive advantage over candidates who hold only one. For supervisory roles and travel assignments, dual certification is increasingly common among top candidates.
Is the CBSPD Worth It?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, yes. The credential adds credibility, supports salary negotiations, and signals professional commitment to employers. For technicians who plan to stay in the field long-term, dual certification is a straightforward investment.
Find sterile processing jobs that list the CBSPD as a preferred or required credential on SterileJobs.com.
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Written by Matthew Sorensen Executive recruiter, healthcare talent acquisition executive, and founder of SterileJobs.com. Matthew has 15+ years placing candidates in sterile processing and healthcare roles, authored four books on hiring, and hosted the Hired podcast, ranked in the top 0.5% of career podcasts worldwide. Learn more about Matthew →