CISS - Certified Industrial Sterilization Specialist

The Certified Industrial Sterilization Specialist (CISS) certification validates the knowledge and skills of sterilization specialists, including process development, management, validation, and control. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) offers the CISS exam.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the CISS exam, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Science or Engineering and 3 years of full-time experience in the last 5 years in the appropriate specialty area

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with 30 quarter hours of coursework in microbiology or similar field and 3 years of full-time experience in the last 5 years in the appropriate specialty area

• High school graduate with 20 credits for participation in workshops sponsored by AAMI or similar organizations in the sterilization field and 7 years of full-time experience in the last 10 years in the appropriate specialty area

Completion Time: Candidates have 2 hours to complete the CISS Core exam and 1 hour to complete the CISS Specialty exam

Cost:

AAMI Member

• Core Exam: $250 ($100 non-refundable) + Specialty Exam: $250

Non-member

• Core Exam: $300 ($100 non-refundable) + Specialty Exam: $300

Retake Cost:

• Retest AAMI Member: $225 non-refundable

• Retest Non-member: $275 non-refundable

Other Fees:

• International Exams: Additional $100

• Late Registration: Additional $50 non-refundable

• Rescheduling At Least 5 Days before exam date: $50

• Rescheduling Less than 5 Days before exam date: Forfeit all exam fees

Exam Format

The CISS exam includes 2 tests, a Core exam and a Specialty exam. All applicants must take the Core exam, then choose one of the following 3 specialty exams:

• Ethylene Oxide

• Moist Heat

• Radiation

The Core exam includes 75 questions, and applicants have 2 hours to complete it. The Specialty exam includes 50 questions, and applicants have 1 hour to complete it. Both exams are graded pass or fail. Minimum score requirements:

• Core exam: minimum 60 correct questions

• Ethylene Oxide Specialty exam: minimum 39 correct questions

• Moist Heat Specialty exam: minimum 40 correct questions

• Radiation Specialty exam: minimum 39 correct questions

Topics for the CISS Core exam include:

• Quality management systems (11%)

• Sterilization agent, process, and equipment characterizations (10%)

• Product and process definition (25%)

• Validation (25%)

• Routine monitoring, control, and product release (15%)

• Maintaining process effectiveness (14%)

Topics for the CISS Specialty exams include:

• Sterilization agent, process, and equipment characterizations (10%)

• Product and process definition (24%)

• Validation (26%)

• Routine monitoring, control, and product release (15%)

AAMI emails preliminary results immediately after exam completion and mails final results 30 to 45 days after the exam window closes.

Test Dates

The CISS exam is administered within 2 testing windows each year: May 1-15 and November 1-15. Applicants can take both the Core and Specialty exams anytime within the 15-day testing window.

Register for the Exam

Applicants receive an email from AAMI with login information and instructions for registering for the exam. They must register 15 days before the CISS exam window and take it through in-person computer-based testing at an approved testing center. Kryterion Global Testing Solutions administers the CISS at testing centers worldwide.

Application Process

• Go to the AAMI website

• Click “Apply for an Exam” under AAMI Credentials Institute (ACI)

• Create an account or log in

• Click “Next Step” under CISS Exam Registration

• Complete registration information

• Check “CISS”

• Complete education information, including diploma or unofficial transcript, and employment information, including the phone number for Human Resources

• Sign and date under Applicant Acknowledgement 

• Click “Next”

• Input payment information

Applicants receive an email from AAMI with acceptance and scheduling information. If the application is incomplete, applicants have 30 days to respond and submit the required documents.

The CISS is valid for 3 years. Renewal applicants can renew by completing continuing education requirements.

• Go to the AAMI website

• Log in to AAMI account

• Document 30 CEUs in the Online CEU Journal

• Make the renewal payment under “My Orders” once reviewed and approved

Renewal Fees

• AAMI Member: $100 (non-refundable)

• Non-member: $150 (non-refundable)

• Additional fee for multiple certifications: $50 for AAMI members and $75 for non-members

• Applications submitted after December 31st must pay a reactivation fee: $100 for AAMI members and non-members

To be eligible for renewal, applicants must complete 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in the following categories within the 3-year certification period.

• Category I: Earn an additional HTM-related certification (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category II: Leadership roles (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category III: Development of educational content (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category IV: Professional development (15 minimum CEUs, no maximum)

• Category V: College or university courses (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category VI: Work experience (15 maximum CEUs)

Applicants must enter all CEU documentation in a Continuing Practice Journal. For full information about accepted CEUs, refer to the ACI Exam Handbook.

• ACI Exam Handbook has a full list of references and resources

• ACI Certification Brochure

• AAMI Store has various books and standards for purchase related to sterilization equipment and procedures

Other certifications offered by AAMI include:

• Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)

• Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM)

• Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology (CABT)

• Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES)