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CRCST Pass Rate (2025 HSPA Statistics) (CRCST Domain 1: Departmental Considerations)
AI fact-checked, not reviewed by a certified technician. Spot an error? Report it. Report an error Outline refs: All domains.
- 2025: 15,369 CRCST exams, 10,083 passed, 5,286 did not pass. [HSPA certification statistics, myhspa.org/certification/statistics]
- That is a 65.6% pass rate: about 1 in 3 exams taken did not result in a pass. [Computed from HSPA 2025 statistics]
- Exam volume grew from 11,272 exams in 2024 to 15,369 in 2025 (about +36%). HSPA counts exams, so repeat takers count more than once. [Computed from HSPA statistics]
- HSPA reported 54,525 current CRCST holders. [HSPA certification statistics]
HSPA publishes certification exam statistics each year. For the CRCST in 2025, HSPA reported 15,369 exams, with 10,083 passing and 5,286 not passing. That works out to a pass rate of about 65.6%. HSPA counts exams administered, not unique people, so someone who tested twice is counted twice.
| Year | Exams | Passed | Did not pass | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15,369 | 10,083 | 5,286 | 65.6% |
Source: HSPA certification statistics (myhspa.org/certification/statistics). Numbers as published at the time of writing; check the source for updates.
What the pass rate means for you
A 65.6% pass rate means the exam is passable with preparation, but it is not a formality. People who struggle often have strong hands-on habits from their own department but less exposure to the reasons behind standards, the full range of sterilization methods, and the exact wording of scenario questions.
How to be on the right side of the number
- Measure first. A blueprint-weighted diagnostic shows which domains are dragging your score down.
- Weight your study. D2, D3 and D4 are 21% each. A weak D4 costs far more than a weak D6.
- Practice under time. 150 questions in 3 hours is 72 seconds per question.
- Learn the "why". Scenario questions reward understanding: why negative pressure, why a BI for every implant load, why a Bowie-Dick test before the first load.
If you did not pass
You are in good company: more than five thousand CRCST exams did not result in a pass in 2025. Use the domain diagnostic on your score report together with our readiness check to build a focused plan, then retest when you consistently score 80% or more on timed practice.
How the CRCST tests this
The pass rate itself is not tested, but this page includes a mix of questions from different domains so you can sample the exam's breadth.
Practice questions
After a steam cycle, a technician finds moisture droplets inside a wrapped tray. What is the correct action?
A. Treat it as a wet pack: reprocess it and investigate the cause
B. Leave it on the cooling rack an extra hour until it dries, then store it
C. Open it, dry the instruments with a lint-free towel, rewrap and shelve it
D. Release it if the internal chemical indicator shows a full color change
Answer: A
While cleaning an infusion pump, a technician notices that its preventive maintenance (PM) sticker is expired. What should they do?
A. Remove it from service, tag it, and send it to Biomedical/Clinical Engineering
B. Finish cleaning it, return it to the unit, and email Biomed to schedule the PM soon
C. Write a new due date on the sticker and return it to clean equipment storage
D. Issue it only if it passes a power-on self-test, then report the overdue PM
Answer: A
AAMI ST79 is best described as:
A. A consensus guidance document for steam sterilization in health care facilities
B. A federal regulation for steam sterilizers enforced by OSHA and the FDA
C. A manufacturer's operating manual that applies to all steam sterilizer models
D. A hospital accreditation standard published every year by The Joint Commission for surveys
Answer: A
A technician is stuck by a contaminated sharp in decontamination. After immediate first aid, what is the next step?
A. Report it immediately per the exposure control plan and document it
B. Wash the site, finish the shift, and report it at the end of the day if it bled
C. Apply a bandage, change gloves, and note it on the decontamination log
D. Report it only if the source instrument was known to be from an infected patient
Answer: A
Returned patient care equipment (e.g., an infusion pump) should be:
A. Stored as is, then cleaned just before it is issued
B. Sterilized in a steam sterilizer before it is returned to storage
C. Wiped with water only, since chemicals can damage the electronics
D. Cleaned and disinfected per the IFU before it is stored or reissued
Answer: D
Common mistakes
- Assuming on-the-job experience alone is enough.
- Retaking quickly without changing the study plan.
- Ignoring smaller domains such as D6 and D7, which still carry 13% together.
Resumen en español: Según HSPA, en 2025 se presentaron 15,369 exámenes CRCST: 10,083 aprobados y 5,286 no aprobados, una tasa de aprobación de 65.6% (1 de cada 3 exámenes no aprobó). HSPA cuenta exámenes, no personas: quien lo presentó dos veces cuenta dos veces. Para estar del lado correcto: mide tu nivel con un diagnóstico, enfócate en D2-D4 (21% cada uno), practica con tiempo (72 segundos por pregunta) y entiende el porqué de cada norma.
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Related topics
FAQ
What is the CRCST pass rate?
HSPA's 2025 statistics show 10,083 passes out of 15,369 exams taken, a 65.6% pass rate. HSPA counts exams, not unique candidates.
Is the CRCST exam hard?
About one in three exams taken in 2025 did not result in a pass, so it requires real preparation, especially in the heavily weighted domains.