CBSPD Certification: Overview and FAQ
The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) is an organization that offers tailored credentials for healthcare professionals working in the sterile processing and distribution (SPD) field. CBSPD certification validates your expertise in upholding the highest standards of hygiene and safety, making it a win-win for patients, facilities, and your professional credibility.
If you’re considering getting CBSPD-certified, you’re in the right place. This article will explain what this certificate is, outline the steps to get it, and explain the benefits of having one.
What Is CBSPD Certification?
The CBSPD certification board offers five specialized credentials that are focused on maintaining the cleanliness, sterility, and proper distribution of medical instruments. Depending on your role within the SPD field, you can qualify for one of the following credentials:
- Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT)
- Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician (CASSPT)
- Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM)
- Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessors (CFER)
- Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist (CSIS)
Wondering who needs this certification? It can be applicable to any healthcare professional working in settings where instrument sterilization and distribution are critical components of patient care, including:
- Registered nurses, such as scrub nurses and circulating nurses
- Medical doctors
- Technicians, including surgical techs
- Infection control personnel
- Dentists
How to Get CBSPD Certification
Let’s explore the key steps to start your journey as a CBSPD-certified professional:
1. Meet Eligibility Criteria
Ensure you meet the CBSPD certification requirements set by the certifying organization. Eligibility criteria can vary greatly depending on the specific certification you’re interested in pursuing.
For CSPDT certification, you need to fulfill one of the following requirements:
- 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours in SPD activities
- 6 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours in related allied health professions as well as 6 months of SPD activities
- 12 months of experience in healthcare product sales or other services related to the SPD profession
- Completion of an SPD training course with a passing score of 70 or higher and submitting evidence of the grade received
For CASSPT certification, you need to fulfill one of the following requirements:
- 12 months of full-time employment or equivalent part-time hours in performing sterile processing activities in ambulatory surgery
- 12 months of experience in healthcare product sales or other services related to the sterile processing in ambulatory surgery
- Completion of a related allied health program and 6 months of employment practicing sterile processing in ambulatory surgery
For CSPM certification, you need to fulfill one of the following requirements:
- A minimum of 24 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience as a hands-on SPD supervisor or manager
- A minimum of 24 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in allied health and 24 months in SPD with successful completion of a sterile processing management course
- A minimum of 36 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience as an SPD technician or lead technician and completion of a sterile processing management course
For CFER certification, you need to fulfill one of the following requirements:
- 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in processing flexible endoscopes
- Completion of an 8-hour endoscopy technician course (or a 16-hour course if you have no previous experience) and a grade of 70 or higher
- 12 months of experience in GI/Endoscopy product sales
For CSIS certification, you need to fulfill one of the following requirements:
- 24 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in performing operating room surgical instrument processing activities
- Completion of surgical instrument processing or surgical technology course with a grade of 70 or higher and 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience
- 24 months of experience in surgical instrument sales or service
2. Start Preparing for the Exam
Familiarize yourself with the CBSPD exam content by purchasing a study guide tailored to your specific exam. Want to take a CBSPD certification course to boost your chances of success? Consider exploring specialty-specific courses designed by Sterile Processing University.
3. Pay the Examination Fee
When you apply, you’ll need to submit payment. Your CBSPD certification cost will vary based on the certification chosen. Here’s the breakdown:
- CSPDT: $125
- CASSPT, CFER, and CSIS: $128
- CSPM: $153
If you pay fewer than two weeks before the application deadline, your application fee will be $10 more.
4. Submit Your Application
Applications are available on the CBSPD website about 30–40 days before the exam window begins. Online applications aren’t accepted at this time, so you’ll need to print and fill out your application, then submit via mail.
The CBSPD offers helpful videos that guide candidates through the registration process. The exams are given four times a year at various CBSPD test sites across the U.S. The application deadlines vary based on the testing window chosen.
5. Pass Your Exam
The exam formats include multiple-choice questions, and the number of questions varies depending on your specific certification:
- CSPDT: 150 questions (and 25 unscored) and 3 hours to complete.
- CASSPT and CSIS: 100 questions and 2 hours to complete.
- CSPM: 100 questions (and 20 unscored) and 2.5 hours to complete.
- CFER: 120 questions and 2.5 hours to complete.
To pass, you’ll need a score of 70 or above. Once you finish the computerized exam (for those testing in the U.S.), you’ll be informed of your pass/fail status.
5. Maintain the Certification
Once certified, you must renew your certification every five years by completing the renewal application and satisfying continuing education and practice hour requirements. This keeps your SPD skills up to date so you can continue to provide the best possible care to patients.
Frequently Asked Questions: CBSPD Certification
How hard is the CBSPD exam?
The difficulty of the examination varies depending on individual preparation and familiarity with the content. The exams pass rates are as follows:
- CSPDT: 50%
- CASSPT: 49%
- CFER: 44%
- CSIS: 70%
- CSPM: 40%
How do I verify my CBSPD certification?
To verify your certificate, you can visit the official CBSPD website. There, you’ll need to submit your request through the CBSPD verification service, where you can input your certificate information to confirm its validity. The verification fee is $10.
CBSPD vs. CRCST: What’s the difference?
Both CBSPD and Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certifications demonstrate proficiency in sterile processing, but they differ slightly in exam content, requirements, and recertification. Here are a few key differences for CRCST:
- Certifying organizations: Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)
- Accreditation: Recognized by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
- Eligibility: Requires 400 hours of hands-on experience within the past 5 years for full certification
- Exam content: The CRCST exam has a different content outline
- Exam cost: $140
- Pass rate: 72%
- Recertification: Annual
Both certifications are highly respected in the sterile processing field and widely accepted by employers.
Which work settings benefit the most from people with CBSPD certificates?
This certification can be helpful to anyone working in operating rooms, sterile processing departments, central supply departments, and other healthcare settings which perform instrument sterilization and distribution tasks. Some examples include:
- Emergency rooms
- Endoscopic surgery units
- Gynecologic surgery units
- Interventional radiology units
- Surgical units
- Neurosurgery units
- Pediatric surgery units
- Wound care units
Where can I find CBSPD-approved continuing education courses?
The organization’s website has a list of CBSPD-approved inservice resources that help you earn points towards your recertification. It’s a practical resource for staying updated on the latest advancements in the field and ensuring ongoing competency in sterile processing and distribution.
What happens if I fail the CBSPD exam?
Start with carefully looking through the diagnostic report that you will receive after completing the exam, paying close attention to areas of weakness. When you feel prepared, you can make another attempt at the exam.
What are the benefits of CBSPD certifications?
The CBSPD credential is important for validating your expertise in delivering safe, high-quality patient care. Additional benefits include:
- Enhanced resume: Getting certified demonstrates your dedication to your field, giving your resume a professional edge and improving your chances in job search.
- Career growth: Certified professionals often have smoother paths to leadership or educational roles.
- Increased pay: Certification can lead to higher pay.
- Upholding excellence: With certification, you play a part in maintaining high-quality care standards in healthcare facilities
Are the CBSPD certifications accredited?
The CBSPD technician, flexible endoscope, and management certification programs hold accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the official accrediting body for the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). Moreover, the CBSPD is accredited by the Navy COOL Program.
Related certifications
Want to explore more certifications? These additional credentials could come in handy for advancing your qualifications:
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)
- Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
- Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
- Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
- Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC)
- Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN)
- National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
- National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
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