The short answer: The CRCST exam is 150 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour time limit. Of the 150, 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pilot questions. The exam covers 7 weighted domains, with three of them carrying 21% each. HSPA does not publish a numeric passing score.
The headline numbers
Scored vs. pilot questions
Only 125 of the 150 questions count toward your score. The other 25 are pilot questions being validated for future exams. You cannot distinguish pilot questions from scored ones while testing, so the only winning strategy is to answer every question as if it counts. There is no penalty for wrong answers mentioned in HSPA's materials, so never leave a question blank.
The 7 weighted domains
HSPA assigns each domain a fixed percentage weight. Multiply by 125 scored questions and you get roughly how many questions each domain contributes. Weights are rounded, so counts are approximate, but the ranking is exact:
| Domain | Weight | Approx. scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning, decontamination, and disinfection | 21% | About 26 |
| Preparation and packaging | 21% | About 26 |
| The sterilization process | 21% | About 26 |
| Departmental considerations | 15% | About 19 |
| Sterile storage, transport, and inventory | 9% | About 11 |
| Professional development and human relations | 8% | About 10 |
| Patient care equipment and distribution | 5% | About 6 |
Passing score: what we know and what we do not
HSPA does not publish a numeric cut score, so there is no official number of correct answers required to pass. Anyone quoting an exact percentage or question count as the passing line is guessing. Because the threshold is not public, the rational strategy is to maximize your correct answers everywhere, with effort weighted toward the high-weight domains. See our pass rate and scoring guide for how this plays out in practice.
Where and when you take it
- The exam is computer-based, delivered at Prometric testing centers, and offered year-round.
- Eligibility: a high school diploma or GED plus 400 hours of hands-on sterile processing experience, or HSPA's provisional route, which lets you pass the exam first and document the 400 hours within six months of your exam date. See our CRCST requirements guide for details.
- Plan to arrive early and pace yourself: 3 hours over 150 questions means a steady rhythm of about 72 seconds each. Our exam day tips guide covers timing strategy.
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