Course Duration: 135 hours
Externship Duration: 240-400 hours
Enrollment Cost: $800.00
Tuition Cost: $5,310
Total Cost: $6,110
Sterile Processing and Distribution Technicians (SPD Techs/SPDTs) are responsible for cleaning, sterilizing, storing, and distributing medical equipment. They are the most impactful defense against the spread of diseases in healthcare facilities.
Our program is designed to prepare you for both the CBSPD Certification Exam and the rigor of the healthcare industry. Certifications are valid for 5 years. This program meets the national and international credentialing industry standards for the development, implementation, and maintenance of certification programs set by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). You do not need any prior education or experience in the healthcare industry or the medical field to enroll.
Our program is the fastest in the area, ranging from 5-10 weeks depending on the schedule of your choice. We offer a variety of schedules so you can choose the one that works for you. Unique features of the course include:
- Weekday, Night, and Weekend Classes
- 80% Live Online Classes
- 20% In-Person Labs
- Qualification for the CBSPD Exam in just 135 hours
- Comprehensive CBSPD Board Exam Review
- 240-400 Externship Hours (optional)
- Professionalism, Job Search, and Externship Preparation Workshop
To enroll in this course you must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED. You must provide a government ID and submit to a background check.
Program Features
Our programs offer unrivaled speed, affordability, and flexibility. Each course is led by an experienced teacher who will prepare you to pass the board exam and give you the tools you need to succeed as an SPD tech. The cost of the program includes:
- Textbook and uniform
- A comprehensive online review for the board exam
- BLS/CPR certification from Zenith Career Services.
- An in-house career workshop to improve your resume and interview skills.
Altamont Healthcare graduates who have passed the board exam are eligible for our exclusive externship program which provides 240-400 hours of training and hands-on experience in a partner medical facility and the opportunity to impress employers with your performance. Externships are a great way to receive job training, earn work experience, build connections before applying for a paid position.
Learn From the Best
At Altamont Healthcare, you will be taught by certified and experienced instructors who have demonstrated a strong commitment to teaching the next generation of Sterile Processing & Distribution Technicians. During your externship, you will be placed in a functioning Sterile Processing Department to get first-hand experience, build connections, and education with seasoned technicians, managers, and nurses. Our curriculum ensures that you’ll fully understand the sterilization process and the importance of maintaining a high quality of care and dedication at each level of the department. When you pass the CBSPD exam, your certification will be valid in healthcare facilities across the world!
Sterile Processing is an In-Demand Career
The best time to become a Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician is all the time. Medical facilities will always be seeing patients, using medical tools, and performing surgeries, and SPD Techs are essential to this process. The basic functioning of any hospital relies on Sterile Processing, which is why it is often referred to as the “heart” of the hospital. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities have never been more concerned about sterilizing equipment and avoiding cross-contamination. This is why SPD Technicians enjoy high job security and great employee benefits.
Many SPDT positions are flexible, affording graduates the opportunity for full-time, part-time, per diem, and even traveling roles for hospitals, healthcare facilities, research laboratories, and private corporations. SPD Techs can expect to make about $50,000 per year, with top earners making over $73,000!
We Help You Prepare for Your New Sterile Processing Career
If you want to become a Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician, we are here to help you achieve your goals. We understand how difficult the exam can be and we want to make sure you are as ready as possible to maximize your success. Our SPD program includes a board exam review for those who are intending to take the CBSPD board exam.
Board Examination Review
Before you become a Certified Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician, you need to pass an examination to ensure you have the knowledge necessary to perform well in the field. There are strict regulations that dictate how to perform this job properly. At Altamont Healthcare, we offer an examination review designed to work around your schedule in both home and work through a comprehensive online format. The content of the review goes over all important topics that will appear in the board exam, quizzes along with each topic, and 4 practice tests that are made up of over 400 board-exam type questions. This will further prepare you to take and pass the certification board exam. We understand how overwhelming this examination can be and we want to make sure you have all the tools to pass it.
We will cover all of the information you need to pass the CBSPD board examination. This review is designed to improve your ability to identify the right answer when faced with analytical and situational questions. It is based on the book The Basics of Sterile Processing 5th Edition by Nancy Chobin and is geared towards is the examination through the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD). The review help you crystallize the information you’ve already learned to ensure you can more easily remember it when you take your examination. Our instructors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you understand the concepts that may be difficult for you to grasp.
The course has 4 modules aimed to hit the main focus points of the examination and clarify confusing concepts. Plus, there are 3 sets of 100-item exams with multiple-choice questions, designed to give each student a feel for the board exam questions.
- Module 1: Ethics & Life Sciences
- Module 2: Decontamination & Preparation and Packaging
- Module 3: Sterilization, Storage & Distribution
- Module 4: Endoscope Reprocessing
- Practice Exams (4 sets of 100-item exams)
Flexible Tuition Payments
We are proud to provide the Central Valley with the most affordable tuition rates among SPD certificate programs. We offer payment plans, discounts, and student loans. If none of our financial options seem within your reach, we would be happy to talk with you and create a customized payment plan.
Registration and Log In
Our Comprehensive Online Review course is available to all our students and alumni. Your instructor will provide you with a link to this review at the end of the course.
Contact us today to learn more.
Spring 2025 Schedule
We are offering 4 SPD Classes in Spring 2025:
- 2 Weekday Classes:
- MWF: Mondays, Wednesdays, 8am – 5PM; Fridays 8am to 12pm
- TTH: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8am – 5pm
- Night Class: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 5:30pm – 10:30pm
- Weekend Class: Fridays 8am to 1pm & Saturdays 8am to 5pm
MWF Day Class Details:
- Start Date: Feb. 17, 2025
- End Date: Apr. 2, 2025
- Orientation on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Feb. 17, 2025
- 2nd – Mar. 3, 2025
- 3rd – Mar. 17, 2025
TTH Day Class Details:
- Start Date: Feb. 11, 2025
- End Date: Apr. 8, 2025
- Orientation on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Feb. 11, 2025
- 2nd – Mar. 4 ,2025
- 3rd – Mar. 25, 2025
Night Class Details:
- Start Date: Feb. 10, 2025
- End Date: Apr. 10, 2025
- Orientation on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 @ 5:30PM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Feb. 10, 2025
- 2nd – Mar. 3 ,2025
- 3rd – Mar. 24, 2025
Weekend Class Details:
- Start Date: Feb. 21, 2025
- End Date: May 2, 2025
- Orientation on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Feb. 21, 2025
- 2nd – Mar. 14 ,2025
- 3rd – Apr. 4, 2025
Winter 2024 SPDT Schedule
We are offering 4 SPD Classes in Winter 2024:
- 2 Weekday Classes:
- MWF: Mondays, Wednesdays, 8am – 5PM; Fridays 8am to 12pm
- TTH: Tuesdays & Thursdays 8am – 5pm
- Night Class: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 5:30pm – 10:30pm
- Weekend Class: Fridays 8am to 1pm & Saturdays 8am to 5pm
MWF Day Class Details:
- Start Date: Dec. 2, 2024
- End Date: Jan 17, 2025
- Orientation on Monday, November 25, 2024 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Dec. 2, 2024
- 2nd – To be determined
- 3rd – To be determined
TTH Day Class Details:
- Start Date: Nov. 12, 2024
- End Date: Jan. 14, 2025
- Orientation on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Nov. 12, 2024
- 2nd – To be determined
- 3rd – To be determined
Night Class Details:
- Start Date: Nov, 18, 2024
- End Date: Jan. 12, 2025
- Orientation on Monday, November 11, 2024 @ 5:30PM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Nov. 18, 2024
- 2nd – To be determined
- 3rd – To be determined
Weekend Class Details:
- Start Date: Nov. 15, 2024
- End Date: Jan. 25, 2025
- Orientation on Saturday, November 9, 2024 @ 9:30AM
- Payment Due Dates:
- 1st – Nov. 15, 2024
- 2nd – To be determined
- 3rd – To be determined
Class orientation will typically be held about a week before the class begins. You will receive orientation details via your student portal and email notification. If you have not received orientation details 3 days before your orientation date, please message our staff or contact our office at 209-817-8035.
Enrollments are open until the class start date; however, late enrollments are permitted on a case-by-case basis.
Note: These locations are where classes are physically held. If you are comfortable with full-distance learning, we can enroll you in the class of your choice, regardless of where you are
Take advantage of our easy payment plans! We are committed to partnering up with you and your goal of having a dependable and rewarding career in healthcare. As a result, our tuition rates are some of the most affordable in the nation.
We want to ease the financial burdens that might keep you from enrolling in our programs. Accordingly, we offer flexible payment options with discounts that can fit almost anyone’s budget. If our rates or plans still fall outside of your budget, we’re happy to create a custom payment plan that works with you!
| Costs | Refund Policy | |
| TOTAL FEES AND CHARGES | $6,110.00 | |
| Registration Fee | $250.00 | Non-refundable |
| Textbook & Manuals | $300.00 | Subject to change; non-refundable once ordered |
| Lab Materials | $200.00 | Non-refundable upon removal from packaging |
| Uniform & PPE | $50.00 | Non-refundable upon removal from packaging |
| Tuition | $5,310.00 | Refundable subject to Rules and Procedure below |
| Student Tuition Recovery Fund Fee | $0.00 | Non-Refundable; $0 for every $1,000 rounded to the nearest $1,000 |
| Board Exam Comprehensive Review | Included | |
| CPR/BLS Certification | Included | |
| Total Enrollment Cost (Registration & Manual/Lab Materials Fee): | $800.00* |
All payment plans below do not include registration and book fees. The payment plans are based on the tuition rate of $5,310.00
Option #1: Pay tuition in full and receive a 15% discount ($4,513.50).
Option #2: Pay tuition in two equal installments and receive a 10% discount on both ($2,389.50 x2).
Option #3: Pay tuition in four equal installments and receive a 5% discount on all of them ($1,261.13 x3)
Option #4: All third-party payments including, but not limited to, Climb Credit loans, direct payments from employers, and government assistance programs. Learn more.
*All payments made after their designated due dates will be charged a late payment fee of $20.00 regardless of balance. Certificates will not be provided until the full balance due is paid.
Payment shall be made in cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card. Payment plans cannot be combined. Students that choose Option #4 will not make direct payments to Altamont Healthcare and will not be eligible for discounts. You can find more information about student loans here.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, & PayPal
Altamont Healthcare is a cashless business. We will not accept in-person payments made with cash.
Course Prerequisites:
- Be at least 18 years or older at the time of enrollment.
- Have a valid government-issued photo ID
- Have at least a high-school diploma or GED (College degrees accepted)
No experience required.
Altamont Healthcare will provide you with all the background and skills you need to succeed in the program and your career. This program is perfect for people that have just graduated from high school/general education or who want to switch fields with little/no relevant work experience.
Externships are included in the cost of tuition. Experienced hospital staff will train you in a real-world setting, so you can feel comfortable performing your duties when you apply for jobs. Enrolling into the externship program after passing your board exam will give you an edge over inexperienced job candidates during the employment process.
Applying is easy.
To apply for our programs, you can submit an application online here. To reserve a spot in the class, you must complete the application and pay the application fee of $250 (non-refundable). Once your application has been accepted, you will be emailed your student portal login. If you are not ready to apply but want more information, register for our interest list by submitting a form here.
If you do not pay the $250 application fee, we will not process your application.
Once you receive the login credentials, you may access the student portal and complete the enrollment documents that were sent to your account. Once your enrollment is complete, you will receive a link to the course registration page.
After you’ve registered for your class(es), you will see the course fees and tuition charges appear in your account. Altamont Healthcare aims to make enrollment and financing as easy as possible. With simple prerequisites and flexible payment options, we offer simplicity and affordability when it comes to getting your education.
See our Prerequisites and Tuition and Financial Options pages for more information on pricing and payment plans.
