CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist

The Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) certification is a secondary certification for advanced instrument specialists working in sterile processing departments. Applicants must have a valid Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification before taking the CIS exam. The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), previously the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM), offers the CIS exam.  

Eligibility

Candidates must have a current, valid CRCST certification and 200 hours of experience in a sterile processing department in the last 5 years to be eligible to sit for the CIS exam. Part of the 200 hours must include certain tasks, including:

• 92 hours on instrument decontamination

• 92 hours on instrument assembly

• 12 hours on instrument information system management

• 4 hours of surgery observation

Candidates must provide contact information for their manager or supervisor with their application for verification of hands-on experience.

• Cost: $140

• Retake fee: $140

Exam Format

The CIS certification exam includes 150 scored questions and takes 3 hours to complete. The exam is pass/fail and HSPA doesn’t provide information on how many correct answers applicants need to pass. The exam consists of topics from 6 areas, including: 

• Identification of Instruments

• Cleaning of Instruments and Decontamination Processes

• Instrument Assembly, Inspection, and Testing

• Packaging and Preparation

• High-Level Disinfection (HLD) and Sterilization

• Human Factors Impacting Instrument Systems 

Test Dates

Prometric Test Centers offer CIS exams year-round.

Application Process

Applicants may complete the CIS application online or by mail. Before submitting an application, they must be ready to take the CIS exam within three months of application approval. 

Apply by Mail 

• Complete a paper application fully, clearly, and legibly

• Sign and date the Statement of Understanding

• Have a manager or supervisor complete and sign the Hands-On Experience section

• Enclose payment by check, money order, or debit/credit card

• Submit by:

  • Mail: HSPA West Wacker Drive, Suite 501, Chicago, IL 60601

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Fax: (312) 440-9474

• Allow 3 to 4 weeks for processing 

Apply Online 

• Go to the HSPA online portal

• Log in or create an account

• Go to “My Certifications”

• Click “Apply for a New Certification”

• Select the correct certification

• Enter Hands-On Experience, including manager or supervisor's contact information

• Click “Yes, I agree” on the Statement of Understanding

• Click “Process & Pay”

• Input debit or credit card information

• Allow 3 to 4 weeks for review

Once HSPA approves paper or online applications, applicants receive an email from [email protected] with information on scheduling their exam. Applicants have a 90-day window to schedule and take the exam.

CISs must renew their credential annually. Allied health professionals with multiple HSPA certifications may renew their CIS certification and all other certifications with one $50 renewal fee. They also may opt to pay $60 to renew all certifications and become a member of the HSPA. Renewal requires current CRCST certification and Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Applicants may renew online or by mail.

Renew Online 

• Go to the HSPA online portal

• Log in and go to “My Certifications”

• Click “View/Renew my Certification”

• Select the certification to renew

• Click “Renew”

• Insert continuing education information

• Click “Yes, I agree” on the Statement of Understanding

• Click “Process & Pay”

• Input debit or credit card information

• Allow 1 to 2 weeks for review 

Renew by Mail 

• Complete the paper Renewal Statement

• Submit CE credits

• Submit payment by check or money order or pay by credit or debit card online

  • Applicants paying online may upload their CE documents via the website or mail them with their Renewal Statement

• Update contact information

• Submit by mail: HSPA West Wacker Drive, Suite 501, Chicago, IL 60601 

Once HSPA approves renewal applications, it sends email confirmations to the applicants.

CIS renewal requires 6 Continuing Education Units. Because CIS renewal requires having a valid CRCST certification, applicants must also complete 12 CEUs to renew their CRCST. Total of 18 CEUs for both certifications. 

CE credits must be completed within the renewal year and are granted in the following increments:

• 1 hour = 1 credit

• 30 minutes = 1/2 credit

• 15 minutes = 1/4 credit

Applicants may accumulate credits through any combination of the following four categories: 

• Lessons/Podcasts/Webinars

  • Lesson Plans grant 2 CEs after completing a quiz

  • Podcasts grant 1/2 CE after completing a quiz

  • Webinars grant 1 CE after completing a survey

  • Applicants may use other approved lesson plans, webinars, and podcasts with a certificate of completion that includes the name, date, covered topic, and CE value

• Inservices

  • Must be submitted on the CE Submission Form or facility letterhead with the date, covered topic, duration, and CE value of the inservice

  • Both forms must include the applicant’s name and the manager or supervisor’s name, title, and signature

• Seminars or Conferences

  • Pre-approved seminars or conferences must include a certificate of completion including the event name, applicant’s name, date, and CE value

• Community, Technical, or Secondary College Courses

  • Completion of a college course applicable to sterile processing with a grade of C or better earns 6 CE credits

  • Must include a copy of transcripts with the applicant’s name, the name and location of the school, the course name, length of course, dates attended, and final grade

  • Must include a syllabus or a copy of the course description 

Refer to the HSPA resource page for a complete list of resources, forms, and CE information.

• Prometric provides an online tutorial to familiarize applicants with the exam software

• HSPA sells manuals and workbooks for exam preparation

• HSPA and Purdue University have partnered together to offer online training courses

Other certifications offered by HSPA include:

• Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST)

• Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER)

• Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL)

Certifications offered by Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) include:

• Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM)

• Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technicians (CASSPT)

• Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER)