Which schools offer WIOA-approved sterile processing training?

169 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

What does a sterile processing technician do, and how do you become one?

Medical equipment preparers, with job titles such as sterile processing technician, clean and sterilize surgical instruments and other healthcare equipment and assemble instrument trays. The job usually asks for a high school diploma or equivalent and a few days to a year of on-the-job training, though some employers ask for a postsecondary certificate.¹

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Approved programsup to 23 to 45 to 7more than 7

How much does sterile processing training cost?

Most sterile processing programs approved for WIOA funding cost $1,995 to $4,000 if you pay yourself. Prices also differ by state: most cost $188 to $1,023 in North Carolina and $3,800 to $12,310 in Michigan.

That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.

Compare sterile processing training by state: cost, pay and results

Sterile processing technician training by state
State	Programs	Most cost	Earned a year, estimated	Working 6 months later	Finished
Alabama	1	Too few figures to show
Arizona	4	Too few figures to show
California	10	$3,506 to $4,744	about $35,700	60%	76%
Colorado	3	Too few figures to show
Connecticut	9	$1,736 to $2,575	about $32,500	82%	91%
Delaware	1	Too few figures to show
Florida	7	$2,067 to $5,500	Not enough data	Not enough data	75%
Georgia	4	Too few figures to show
Illinois	4	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Indiana	5	$2,045 to $3,300	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data
Iowa	3	Too few figures to show
Louisiana	7	$3,080 to $7,500	Not enough data	Left out	Left out
Maryland	5	$1,712 to $2,195	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data
Massachusetts	8	$1,862 to $5,000	Not reported	Not reported	Not enough data
Michigan	13	$3,800 to $12,310	about $36,200	83%	62%
Minnesota	3	Too few figures to show
Missouri	5	$2,895 to $3,400	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Montana	3	Too few figures to show
Nebraska	4	Too few figures to show
Nevada	4	Too few figures to show
New Hampshire	1	Too few figures to show
New Jersey	5	$2,400 to $3,500	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data
New Mexico	1	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
New York	2	Too few figures to show
North Carolina	15	$188 to $1,023	about $28,200	80%	74%
Ohio	15	$2,783 to $6,856	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data
Pennsylvania	3	Too few figures to show
South Carolina	4	Too few figures to show
Tennessee	2	Too few figures to show
Texas	8	$1,766 to $6,118	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data
US Virgin Islands	1	Too few figures to show
Utah	2	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out	Not enough data
Vermont	1	Too few figures to show
Virginia	3	Too few figures to show
Washington	9	$3,120 to $3,770	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data
Wisconsin	2	Too few figures to show
Wyoming	3	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out	Not enough data

Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer sterile processing training too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made

Sterile processing certification: what the 180 programs are

By kind, the 180 programs approved for WIOA funding are sterile processing technician course (137 programs), sterile processing certificate or diploma (38 programs), sterile processing with surgical tech (3 programs) and sterile processing apprenticeship (2 programs).

Across the US, 52 of the 180 programs take students without a high school diploma, 112 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 16 ask for earlier courses first.

Is there free sterile processing training in the US?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Without funding, prices differ by state: most sterile processing programs cost $188 to $1,023 in North Carolina and $3,800 to $12,310 in Michigan. Each state's page lists every program with its price.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Other training by state

Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.

Where the sterile processing program numbers by state come from

Which sterile processing programs are counted?

Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁶ Schools that never applied for approval are missing.

What the figures for each state mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the facts about sterile processing training

Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services

Sterile processing technician training by state