CRCST Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection Practice Questions
Section 2 of 7 in the HSPA content outline · 21% of the exam, about 27 of the 125 scored questions
150 questions across all seven sections in 3 hours, with a score for Decontamination so you know where you stand.
Free Decontamination drillWhy are washer and ultrasonic test results documented?
Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection on the CRCST exam
Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection is 21% of the CRCST exam, about 27 of the 125 scored questions and tied for the largest section. It follows a used instrument from the point of use into decontamination: how it travels, what the technician wears, how it is cleaned by hand and by machine, how the equipment is tested, and how semicritical items are disinfected.
- Share of the exam
- 21% in the official content outline, about 27 of the 125 scored questions
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 95 Decontamination questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection questions test
- Safety: OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, sharps, PPE and the order for putting it on and taking it off, and the chain of infection, biofilm and prions
- Point-of-use care and transport of soiled items, and reporting poor point-of-use cleaning
- Manual cleaning: detergent dilution, water temperature, brushing under water, brush selection, utility and critical water
- Mechanical cleaning: washer-disinfector loading and phases, ultrasonic cavitation and degassing, cart washers, and how often each is tested
- Disinfection: the three Spaulding categories, disinfectant types, contact time, minimum effective concentration testing, documentation and endoscope storage, plus TASS prevention for eye instruments
Sit the full exam under the real clock
150 questions across all seven sections in 3 hours, with a score for Decontamination so you know where you stand.
Free Decontamination drillHow to study it
- Learn Spaulding first: critical items are sterilized, semicritical items get at least high-level disinfection, noncritical items get low- or intermediate-level disinfection.
- Memorize the PPE order: put on gown, mask, eye protection, gloves; take off gloves, eye protection, gown, mask, then clean your hands.
- Know the test frequencies: washer cleaning verification at least weekly (preferably daily), MEC before each use or at least daily.
- Take the decontamination drill and read why each wrong option is wrong.
Common questions
How many decontamination questions are on the CRCST?
Cleaning, Decontamination and Disinfection is 21% of the exam, about 27 of the 125 scored questions, tied with Preparation and Packaging and Sterilization Process as the largest sections.
How many hands-on hours in decontamination does the CRCST require?
Of the 400 hands-on hours HSPA requires, 120 are in decontamination.
150 questions across all seven sections in 3 hours, with a score for Decontamination so you know where you stand.
Free Decontamination drillThe other CRCST sections
Sources
- HSPA: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST): exam structure, fees, hours and references
- HSPA: CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023)
- HSPA Certification Handbook (revised January 2026): scored and pretest questions, passing score, results, retakes
- HSPA: Become Certified (Prometric testing, 120-day window, FAQs)
- HSPA: CRCST renewal (12 CE credits a year, $50)
- CDC: Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008)
- OSHA: Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030
Original practice questions for exam preparation, written to the HSPA CRCST Exam Content Outline (revised November 2023), not HSPA exam questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by HSPA (the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association) or Prometric. CRCST is an HSPA certification.