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CIS Self-Study Lessons

- Certified Instrument Specialist

Continuing Education for Central Service Technicians


About Self-Study Lessons

Self-study lessons help you maintain your HSPA certification by providing ongoing education to keep you up-to-date on the latest information in central service. Each lesson features a three-page article exploring a practical, central service-related topic and a 15-question exam. You will receive two points from HSPA for every self-study lesson exam graded by Purdue University Online that you complete with a score of 70 percent or higher (11 out of 15 correct). Two attempts to achieve a passing score are permitted per examination. You can expect to study two hours on each lesson. For paper/pencil scoring requests, please allow up to two weeks turnaround on grading.

These lessons should only be purchased by individuals already certified as a CRCST through HSPA.

Six new self-study lessons are published annually, from April to February, here on the Purdue University Online Web site and in the HSPA Process magazine. Each lesson is valid up to three years after the publication date.


Lessons Enrollment

Individual Lessons: $15   Enroll for Print

Individual self-study lessons can be downloaded from our Web site and mailed in to be graded.

Purdue/HSPA Self-Study Lesson Comparison
In addition to Purdue University, HSPA is now offering online grading of self-study lessons on their Web site. The lesson articles are the same; however you have two attempts to achieve a passing grade with the Purdue grading option.

For more information: sterileprocessing@purdue.edu

Current Courses

Click on the title to view/download a lesson.
( Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Lesson Number Lesson Title
314 Instrument Error! What Happened? (PDF, opens in new tab)
313 Cleaning, Handling & Care of Powered Surgical Instruments (PDF, opens in new tab)
312 Strategies to Enhance the Surgical Instrument System (PDF, opens in new tab)
311 Instrument Preparation and Care: Key Considerations for the Processing Specialist (PDF, opens in new tab)
310 Sterile Barriers: Proper Use and Inspection (PDF, opens in new tab)
309 Caring for Complex Instruments (PDF, opens in new tab)
307 Ethics and the Instrument Technician: Their Role in Quality and Safety (PDF, opens in new tab)
306 Introducing New Instruments: Proactive Steps for Safety and Success (PDF, opens in new tab)
305 Elevating Knowledge About Sterilization Equipment and Processes (PDF, opens in new tab)
304 Fundamentals of Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (PDF, opens in new tab)
303 Cleaning and Decontamination: A Review (PDF, opens in new tab)
302 Urology Instruments: Identification and Proper Care and Handling (PDF, opens in new tab)
301 Water Quality and Its Critical Importance in Sterile Processing (PDF, opens in new tab)
300 Laparoscopic Surgery and the Care and Handling of Laparoscopic Devices (PDF, opens in new tab)
299 Core Elements of Sterile Processing Training Programs (PDF, opens in new tab)
298 Sterile Storage and Maintaining Sterile Package Integrity (PDF, opens in new tab)
297 Container Packaging and Steam Sterilization (PDF, opens in new tab)
296 Immediate Use Steam Sterilization: What SP Technicians Must Know (PDF, opens in new tab)