Is Sterile Processing University Legit? Here’s What You Should Know Before You Enroll
If you’ve spent any time in Sterile Processing Facebook groups, you’ve probably seen the question pop up: “Is this course actually worth it, or is it just another fly-by-night special?”
It’s a fair question. The Sterile Processing training space online is crowded. Not every program out there is built by people who’ve actually worked the floor of a busy SPD. Let’s walk through what makes a Sterile Processing technician training program legitimate, and how to evaluate one for yourself.
Start With Who’s Teaching You
Anyone can put together a slideshow and call it a course. What you actually want to know is: Has this person done the job?
Nancy Chobin, RN, CFER, CSPM built Sterile Processing University. She spent more than 25 years as Vice President of Sterile Processing at Barnabas Health, New Jersey’s largest health system. She authored the leading Sterile Processing textbook series, including The Basics of Sterile Processing Textbook 8th edition. Healthcare Purchasing News named her one of the 30 Most Important People in Sterile Processing. That’s not a marketing line, it’s a verifiable track record you can look up.
When you’re researching any Sterile Processing Technician Training Program, ask the same question. Who wrote this content? Have they worked in an actual SPD department or are they reselling repackaged material from somewhere else?
The instructor’s credentials matter too. They should hold credentials specific to what they’re teaching. A general Sterile Processing background doesn’t automatically qualify someone to teach endoscope reprocessing or dental instrument sterilization. Those are specialized areas with their own standards and risks. Look for instructors who hold certifications in the specific specialty the course covers.
Check Whether the Content Matches Real Standards
A legitimate Sterile Processing course builds on AAMI standards, not loose inspiration from them. AAMI (the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) sets the national benchmarks that hospitals and surgery centers must follow. If a training program skips these standards, or the content feels generic and disconnected from real facility practices, that’s a red flag.
This matters even more if you’re working toward certification. CBSPD and HSPA are the two major certifying bodies in this field. Both expect candidates to understand these standards cold. A course that skips this groundwork isn’t preparing you for the exam or for the job.
Look at What Happens After You Buy
Here’s something people don’t think about enough: What does the experience look like once you’ve paid?
A legitimate program gives you immediate access, a clear path through the material, and a real person to contact if something goes wrong. Watch for warning signs too. If a site can’t tell you what happens after checkout, or reviews mention people struggling to log in after payment, pay attention to that.
Real Students, Real Outcomes
Skepticism is healthy. But it’s also worth remembering that thousands of Sterile Processing professionals have gone through structured training. They walked away better prepared for their certification exams and their day-to-day work. The technicians who post in those Facebook groups asking “is this legit” often post again six months later. That second post usually says they passed their exam.
If you’re early in your research, look at the curriculum breakdown for whatever program you’re considering. For SPU, LLC, that means the 37-module Sterile Processing technician course, built directly from The Basics of Sterile Processing Textbook 8th edition. If you’re further along in your career, check out the SPD Management course instead. It’s designed for current and aspiring supervisors who want a deeper understanding of staffing, compliance and department leadership.
The Bottom Line
“Is it legit” usually isn’t really a question about the website. It’s a question about whether the person behind it actually knows the field. Does the content reflect real standards? Have other students had a good experience? Those are all things you should check before you expend anything, and you should.