CRCST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CRCST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Formaldehyde-based low-temperature sterilization is classified as which level of germicide? → Sporicide and sterilant
2. A CRCST technician fails to renew their certification by the expiration date. What is the most likely consequence? → The certification lapses and must be reinstated
3. Which AAMI/ANSI standard provides guidance on comprehensive sterilization practices, including safety protocols, in healthcare facilities? → ANSI/AAMI ST79
4. What is one major benefit of earning the CRCST certification? → Improved compliance with healthcare standards
5. What is the purpose of an emergency action plan? → To establish procedures for responding to various emergencies
6. What is the purpose of a sterilization chemical indicator placed inside a package? → To verify that sterilizing conditions were present inside the package
7. After cleaning, instruments should be rinsed with which type of water to prevent mineral deposits? → Distilled or deionized water
8. The Bowie-Dick test is used to detect: → Air removal and steam penetration issues in pre-vacuum sterilizers
9. What minimum aeration time is typically required after EtO sterilization at ambient room temperature (20°C)? → 7 days
10. Instrument lubrication with instrument milk (water-soluble lubricant) should be performed: → After cleaning but before sterilization
11. Which type of glove provides the best cut resistance when processing sharps in the decontamination area? → Puncture-resistant utility gloves
12. Which of the following best describes the purpose of performing a daily air removal test (Bowie-Dick test) on a pre-vacuum sterilizer? → To ensure air is effectively removed so steam can penetrate porous loads
13. How often should mechanical/physical parameters (time, temperature, pressure) of a sterilizer be reviewed for each cycle? → For every sterilization cycle run
14. What is the correct order for donning PPE? → Gown, mask, eye protection, gloves
15. Which of the following is the BEST practice when stacking sterile packages on a shelf? → Stack only to a height that prevents crushing or tipping and maintains package integrity
16. What is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections? → Proper hand hygiene
17. In which of the following settings is a CRCST most likely to work? → Surgical centers
18. A central service professional seeking to advance into education or training roles should prioritize developing which skill? → Instructional design and adult learning principles
19. What is a nosocomial infection? → An infection acquired in a healthcare facility
20. The decontamination area should maintain a negative air pressure relative to adjacent areas. Why? → To prevent contaminated air from flowing into clean processing areas
21. What does 'par level' mean in central service supply management? → The minimum quantity of an item that must be kept on hand
22. What does PPE stand for? → Personal Protective Equipment
23. In central service, what is the MOST appropriate storage practice to maintain inventory integrity for sterile items? → Storing packages in a manner that prevents crushing and allows air circulation
24. Which Spaulding category applies to instruments that enter sterile tissue or the vascular system? → Critical
25. What is the purpose of a biological indicator (BI) in sterilization monitoring? → To demonstrate that viable microorganisms were killed during the sterilization process
26. When preparing for questions about the Spaulding classification on the CRCST exam, a laryngoscope blade is classified as which category? → Semi-critical — requires at minimum high-level disinfection
27. What is the most effective way to prevent healthcare-associated infections? → Proper hand hygiene
28. According to ANSI/AAMI ST79, which class of chemical indicator is considered the most sophisticated internal indicator for steam sterilization? → Class 6
29. Ultrasonic cleaners work by a process called cavitation. What does cavitation refer to? → The formation and collapse of microscopic bubbles that implode against instrument surfaces
30. Which action should be taken first when a sterilizer load fails a biological indicator (BI) test? → Quarantine all items from that load and investigate the cause