CER Practice Test
Updated October 2026Facts verified Oct 17, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association
- The CER exam has 150 multiple-choice questions: 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- A CER pass or fail depends on how many of the 125 scored questions are answered correctly, measured against a cut score set with the Angoff method and the Beuk compromise method. HSPA does not publish a percentage. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- The CER exam application fee is $140 USD, which covers one exam attempt and includes a $25 non-refundable submission fee. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- Keeping the CER credential costs an annual $50 renewal fee, plus the required continuing education credits. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- To retake the CER exam, candidates submit a retake application with the $140 exam fee. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- A candidate who fails the CER exam must wait at least 6 weeks before retesting. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- HSPA certifications, including the CER, are valid for one year and must be renewed every year. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- CER holders renew every year with 6 continuing education credits on endoscopes plus the fee, and HSPA allows a 6-week grace period after expiration. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- The HSPA Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) exam is computer-based at Prometric test centers, with no paper-and-pencil version, and an optional 15-minute tutorial that does not count against the exam time. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
Facts verified Oct 17, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
CER Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored, 25 unscored pretest) | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Passing score | Raw score on 125 scored items vs Angoff/Beuk cut score (no percentage published) | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Exam fee | $140 (includes $25 non-refundable fee; one attempt) | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Exam fee (recertification) | $50 per year | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Retake fee | $140 per retake | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Retake policy | Wait at least 6 weeks between attempts | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Validity | 1 year (renewed annually) | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Renewal | Annually: 6 CE credits + $50 fee; 6-week grace period | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Delivery | Computer-based at Prometric test centers; no paper version; optional 15-min tutorial not timed | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Eligibility | Minimum 3 months of hands-on endoscope reprocessing within the past 3 years, verified by a supervisor | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Eligibility (content outline weights) | Endoscope Handling, Transport and Storage: 16% | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Eligibility (CRCST prerequisite) | CRCST not required | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Score release | On-screen pass/fail at end of exam; emailed within 48 hours; certificate mailed within 2 weeks | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Registration deadline | Reschedule by noon EST, 3 business days before the test | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Testing window | Year-round; 120-day eligibility window after approval, no extensions | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
Facts verified Oct 17, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
The CER certification practice test ensures you are ready for the rigorous HSPA examination. Mastering the CER test content is crucial for advancing your career in sterile processing. Try our CMRP practice exam. Practice with the free CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (11 questions with answer explanations).
If you are searching for a CER endoscope practice test questions, start with the free questions on this page: every answer comes with an explanation, and the study notes below cover the CER exam topics in order. Each certified endoscope reprocessor practice test set mirrors one HSPA content domain, so you can treat the whole page as a free CER practice exam or drill the CER test questions from a single weak domain.
Technicians who search for a STERIS endo practice test are usually preparing for this same credential: the CER test is written and scored by HSPA, not by an equipment manufacturer, so practise across all the HSPA content domains rather than on one brand's training material.
Free CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Study Tools
Interactive CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- Free CER Principles and Maintenance Questions and Answers — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
CER Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
CER Automated Endoscope Reprocessors
CER Exam Questions covering Automated Endoscope Reprocessors. Master CER Test concepts for certification prep.
CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Chem...
Free CER Practice Test featuring CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Chemical Disinfectants and Germicides Questions and Answers. Improve your CER Exam score with mock test prep.
CER Exam Flashcards
Quick review for your CER practice test with answers
🦠What is a biofilm?
A collection of microorganisms that attach to surfaces and each other, forming a protective barrier that is difficult to remove.
START CER PRACTICE TEST🧼What is the most important step in reprocessing?
Cleaning is critical because remaining organic matter prevents effective disinfection or sterilization.
GET CER EXAM PREP🔍What is a leak test?
A test performed to detect damage to the exterior or interior sheath of a flexible endoscope before immersion.
REVIEW CER QUESTIONS🌡️What is High-Level Disinfection (HLD)?
A process that kills all vegetative bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but not necessarily all bacterial spores.
TRY CER MOCK EXAM🚱Why is water quality important?
Impurities in water can damage endoscopes, interfere with chemicals, and introduce contaminants to the device.
ACCESS CER STUDY GUIDE📦How should endoscopes be stored?
Vertically in a clean, well-ventilated cabinet to help drying and prevent contamination.
PRACTICE CER TEST NOWCER Exam Study Guide
Our hspa cer practice test study guide breaks down key exam concepts. Use these questions to identify areas for improvement before taking the actual CER test.
- Topics: Ergonomics, spill response
- Questions: ~15 questions
CER Study Material: What HSPA Builds the Exam From
The best CER study material is the reference list HSPA publishes on the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor certification page, because those are the documents the exam writers used. For the current CER test HSPA names five sources: HSPA's own Endoscope Reprocessing Manual (2nd edition), the ANSI/AAMI ST91:2022 standard for flexible and semi-rigid endoscope processing, the CDC's Essential Elements of a Reprocessing Program for Flexible Endoscopes (2017), two SGNA infection-prevention standards (2018 and 2019), and SGNA's 2017 guideline on high-level disinfectants and sterilants. The HSPA and AAMI titles are sold in the HSPA online store under the "CER" and "AAMI" categories; the SGNA articles are free downloads from SGNA.
Two points catch candidates out. First, HSPA offers no online or distance-learning course for the CER, unlike the CRCST, so certified endoscope reprocessing knowledge has to come from the manual, the standards and your own department. Second, buying study material is optional: HSPA lets you sit the exam on work experience alone, and the Certification Council states it does not require or endorse any specific training product.
A practical plan: read the Endoscope Reprocessing Manual domain by domain, following the seven-domain CER Exam Content Outline (updated June 2021), then use the free questions on this page as an employee CER exam practice test after each domain. Many departments use exactly that sequence, manual chapter then a timed CER practice exam, to document competency before the real appointment.
Certified Endoscope Reprocessor
A certified endoscope reprocessor is a sterile processing or endoscopy technician who has passed HSPA's CER exam and holds the CER credential. The job is to return a flexible endoscope from the procedure room to patient-ready condition: point-of-use pre-cleaning, leak testing, manual cleaning, high-level disinfection or sterilization (often in an automated endoscope reprocessor), drying, transport and storage. Flexible scopes have long, narrow channels that are hard to clean, so a skipped step can leave contamination behind, which is why facilities value certified staff for this work.
The CER is a stand-alone HSPA credential, and current CRCST certification is not required to take the CER exam. To sit for it you need at least three months of hands-on endoscope reprocessing experience within the past three years, documented by the supervisor who oversaw your work. The exam has 150 multiple-choice questions: 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions, and the application fee is $140 USD. In the official content outline, Reprocessing makes up 32% of the exam and Endoscope Handling, Transport and Storage makes up 16%, so weight your CER test questions practice the same way. Once certified, you renew every year with 6 continuing education credits on endoscopes plus the annual $50 renewal fee.
CER Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
125
88 out of 125 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
Expect to invest approximately $250-$350 for your CER certification, including the exam fee and study materials.
CER Career Paths
Explore opportunities for CER certification holders.
Endoscopy Tech
Specialize in assisting with procedures and reprocessing scopes in GI labs.
Lead CER
Supervise a team of reprocessing technicians and ensure quality compliance.
Travel CER
Take temporary assignments nationwide for higher pay rates.
CSPD Tech
Work in Central Sterile Processing managing diverse surgical instruments.
Educator
Train new technicians on proper endoscope reprocessing protocols.
CER Test Day Checklist
- ✓Valid Photo ID
- ✓HSPA ID Number
- ✓Appointment Confirmation
- ✓Arrive 30 Mins Early
- ✓Leave Electronics
- ✓Review Notes
- ✓Dress Comfortably
- ✓Hydrate
Ready to Pass Your CER Test?
Join thousands of certified professionals. Take our CER certification practice test free now, no sign-up needed, and get certified.
CER Renewal Requirements
Cycle
1 Year
CE Credits
6 Credits
Fee
$50
Ensure you complete your 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits specifically related to endoscope reprocessing before your renewal date.
CER: Pros and Cons
- +CER certification validates expertise recognized by employers nationwide
- +Certified professionals typically earn 15-20% higher salaries
- +Opens doors to advanced positions and leadership roles
- +Demonstrates commitment to professional standards and ethics
- +Builds a strong professional network through certification communities
- −Exam preparation typically requires 2-4 months of dedicated study
- −Certification and exam fees can range from $150-$500+
- −Must complete continuing education to maintain active certification
- −Pass rates vary — thorough preparation is essential for success
- −Some certifications require prerequisite experience or education
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| CER certification validates expertise recognized by employers nationwide | Must complete continuing education to maintain active certification |
| Opens doors to advanced positions and leadership roles | Pass rates vary — thorough preparation is essential for success |
| Demonstrates commitment to professional standards and ethics | Some certifications require prerequisite experience or education |
Sample CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Before loading an endoscope into an automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) set to run a sterilization cycle, the technician MUST:
- A. Perform pre-cleaning, leak testing, and manual cleaning per IFU
- B. Only perform a leak test to detect channel damage
- C. Confirm the patient's infection status and adjust the cycle accordingly
- D. Remove all detachable parts and sterilize them separately in the autoclave
Answer: A. Perform pre-cleaning, leak testing, and manual cleaning per IFU
Pre-cleaning, leak testing, and manual cleaning must always precede any automated reprocessing cycle to remove gross soil and verify device integrity.
An automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) cycle fails mid-process due to a power interruption. The endoscope should be:
- A. Considered adequately disinfected up to the cycle point reached and stored normally
- B. Removed, manually inspected, and reprocessed from the beginning with a complete cycle
- C. Placed back in the AER and run only the remaining cycle steps
- D. Quarantined until engineering inspects the AER, then stored
Answer: B. Removed, manually inspected, and reprocessed from the beginning with a complete cycle
An incomplete AER cycle cannot guarantee HLD; the scope must undergo a full reprocessing cycle from the start before patient use.
A reprocessor notices that an endoscope is failing to hold air pressure during a dry leak test. After checking all external connections and valves, the leak persists. Which internal component is MOST likely compromised?
- A. Objective lens
- B. Light guide fibers
- C. Biopsy/suction channel
- D. Video chip
Answer: C. Biopsy/suction channel
The biopsy/suction channel is a hollow lumen that runs the length of the endoscope from the control body to the distal tip. A breach or hole anywhere along this channel is a common cause of internal leaks that would be detected during a pressure test.
When an endoscope is returned from a third-party repair service, what documentation is essential for the reprocessing department to obtain and file with the endoscope's records?
- A. A list of other facilities that use the same repair service.
- B. The personal contact information of the technician who performed the repair.
- C. A detailed report listing the specific components that were repaired or replaced and confirmation that all quality checks were passed.
- D. A simple invoice with only the total cost of the repair.
Answer: C. A detailed report listing the specific components that were repaired or replaced and confirmation that all quality checks were passed.
A detailed service report is crucial for tracking the endoscope's history and ensuring quality control. This documentation provides vital information on what failed, what was fixed, and what parts were replaced, which is essential for quality assurance, tracking repair trends, asset management, and verifying the device was returned to proper specifications.
Take the full CER - Certified Endoscope Reprocessor practice test
You can continue preparing with the aaert cer exam quizlet, which includes answer explanations for every question.
You can continue preparing with the hspa endoscope reprocessing manual pre test, which includes answer explanations for every question.
CER Exam Questions and Answers
Official Resources
- HSPA: Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) certification page sets out eligibility, the hands-on experience requirement, the reference materials and the seven exam domains.
- HSPA 2026 Certification Handbook (PDF) is the official rulebook for the exam: scheduling at Prometric, test-day identification, scoring and retake policy.
- HSPA: Renew Your Certification explains the annual CE credit requirement, the renewal fee and the grace period for keeping your CER active.
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- myhspa.org — Test delivery, exam format, registration deadline, retake fee, retake policy, score release, test dates, time limit, score validity, eligibility · verified Oct 2026