SCFHS Sterilization Technician Exam Content: 9 Sections and Weights

Last checked: 10 November 2026. The source is the SCFHS Sterilization Technician Examination Content Guideline (V1.220901). This is an independent guide, not affiliated with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties or any government body.

In short: the exam has 150 multiple-choice questions in 3 hours, the pass mark is 55% at technician level, and it covers 9 sections. The largest is Sterilisation, Maintenance, Audit and Quality Control at 25%, then Processing Equipment and Classification of Surgical Instrument Types at 20%. The guideline says each section's share may differ by up to 5% either way.

Sections and weights

Weights come from the guideline (p. 2). The question counts are calculated by spreading 150 questions over these weights.

What each section tests

• Sections 1 and 2 (10%): department zones, workflow, air pressure and PPE; microbiology, the chain of infection and the Spaulding classification.
• Section 3 (10%): point-of-use care and transport, manual and mechanical cleaning, and disinfection levels and disinfectants.
• Section 4 (20%): washer-disinfectors, ultrasonic cleaners and drying cabinets; instrument types and materials; inspection, function testing and care.
• Section 5 (10%): tray assembly and count sheets, packaging materials and methods, labels and traceability.
• Section 6 (25%): steam, low-temperature and dry-heat sterilization, sterilizer tests such as Bowie-Dick, audits, documentation and recalls.
• Section 7 (10%): flexible endoscope leak testing, cleaning, disinfection and storage; dental instruments and handpieces.
• Section 8 (5%): physical, chemical and biological indicators, load release and transport of sterile items.
• Section 9 (10%): sterile storage and event-related sterility, inventory and distribution, and planned preventive maintenance.

References named in the guideline

• Medical Device Reprocessing (Decontamination Specialist) course curriculum.
• The Basics of Sterile Processing (Nancy Chobin), latest edition.
• Central Service Technical Manual (IAHCSMM), latest edition.

The guideline notes that the list is a study aid only and that questions are not necessarily taken from these books.

Three levels

The specialty has three guidelines with the same sections and weights; the difference is the pass mark: technician 55%, specialist 60% and health assistant 50%. SCFHS sets your level from your qualification at classification.

What our practice covers

Our questions cover all nine sections, with the number per section following the guideline's weights, and every question explains each option and points to its section and reference. Most are everyday CSSD situations: reading a cycle printout, a failed indicator, a faulty instrument or a load that needs a decision.