Top Things to Know Before Taking the CER Exam

🎯 Introduction

If you're preparing to take the cer exam, you're probably feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety—and that's completely normal. The Certified Endoscope Reprocessor exam is a serious credential that reflects your readiness to handle one of the most delicate and high-risk roles in healthcare: the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes. These instruments are intricate, sensitive, and essential to modern medical procedures, yet they can pose significant infection risks if not cleaned and sterilized properly.

That’s why passing the cer exam is more than just a career move—it’s a declaration that you understand what’s at stake. This article will walk you through the most important things to know before test day: from what’s actually on the exam and how it’s structured, to mental strategies, common pitfalls, and how to approach your final study days. If you're aiming to get your cer certification on the first try, this article will set you up for success.

📚 The Purpose Behind the Exam

The cer exam was created to validate your competency in reprocessing flexible and rigid endoscopes to the highest professional standards. Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) related to improperly reprocessed endoscopes have led to increased regulations and scrutiny over the years. Hospitals and clinics are now under more pressure than ever to ensure that every scope that enters a patient’s body is safe, sterile, and traceable.

The exam is designed not just to test your ability to memorize steps, but to evaluate your ability to make the right decisions under pressure. This means you’ll encounter questions that require both technical knowledge and sound judgment. Passing the cer testing process doesn’t just earn you a title—it signifies to employers, colleagues, and patients that you’re trained, trusted, and ready to take on critical responsibilities in infection control.

🛠️ What’s Actually on the Exam

The cer exam consists of approximately 100 to 150 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll typically have two to three hours to complete it. The test is closed-book and delivered through secure testing centers, either in person or online with strict proctoring.

Topics include microbiology and infection control principles, manual cleaning procedures, chemical disinfection, sterilization, equipment identification, leak testing, drying and storage protocols, PPE requirements, documentation and tracking procedures, and regulations from key bodies like AAMI, CDC, and OSHA.

Questions are scenario-based and phrased in ways that require understanding—not just memorization.

For example, rather than asking “What is the drying time for a flexible scope?”, the question might be, “A technician removes a scope from the drying cabinet after two hours and notices condensation in the channel. What is the best next step?”

That’s why preparation must go beyond flashcards—you need to know how and why each step is performed, and what to do when something goes wrong.

📖 The Best Time to Start Studying

The ideal time to begin studying for the cer exam is about four to six weeks before your scheduled test date. This gives you enough time to review all the required material without cramming. Waiting until the last minute is one of the most common mistakes that leads to failure. Your study schedule should begin with an overview of the official exam content outline from your certification provider.

Break down your preparation by topic: spend a few days on microbiology, then move to cleaning and brushing techniques, then to high-level disinfection, and so on. Aim to study for 30–60 minutes per day, five or six days a week. Active study techniques like writing notes, using flashcards, teaching concepts aloud, and completing mini-quizzes will help retain the material better than passive reading.

🧠 Practice Tests Are Your Best Friend

If there’s one tool that can dramatically increase your chance of passing the cer certification exam, it’s practice tests. These tests simulate the exam environment and expose you to the types of questions you’ll face on the real thing. Taking multiple full-length cer practice tests allows you to measure your progress, uncover weak areas, and develop test-taking stamina.

When reviewing your results, don’t just look at your score—analyze your mistakes. Ask yourself: Did I misunderstand the question? Did I rush? Did I lack knowledge in that specific topic? Use these insights to shape the next few days of study. Many test takers report that the moment their practice test scores consistently rise above 85%, they begin to feel truly ready for the real thing. That said, don’t let a high score lull you into overconfidence—keep reviewing your weak areas until test day.

📝 Understand the Testing Process

Before you walk into the cer exam, know exactly what to expect on test day. Whether you're testing in person or online, the process is strict. You’ll need to bring valid ID, arrive early, and follow all the testing center rules. If you’re taking the test online, ensure your internet connection is stable and that you’re testing in a quiet, private environment. Disruptions can lead to test termination.

Most testing centers do not allow you to bring any personal items into the exam room, including notes, phones, or food. You’ll be given a short tutorial at the start of the exam to learn how to use the test interface, such as marking questions for review or navigating between pages. Be mentally prepared for a few questions that feel ambiguous or difficult—don’t panic. Make your best guess, mark it, and return later if time permits. Having a calm, confident mindset is just as important as knowing the material.

📘 Common Mistakes That Lead to Failure

Even well-prepared candidates can stumble if they make one of several common mistakes during the cer testing process. The first is poor time management. Some test-takers spend too long on the first few questions, only to rush through the last section and make avoidable errors. Aim to pace yourself so that you complete each third of the exam in equal time, and always leave a few minutes at the end to review marked questions.

The second mistake is reading too quickly. Many incorrect answers result from simply misreading the question or skipping over a keyword. Take a breath, read slowly, and make sure you understand what’s being asked. Another common trap is second-guessing yourself. If you studied properly and practiced enough, trust your instincts—your first choice is usually correct unless you immediately realize you misread something.

Lastly, don’t ignore weak areas in your prep. If you always struggle with storage protocols or chemical disinfection details, don’t skip those topics in your final review just because they’re difficult. That’s exactly where the exam might test you.

🏆 Final Week Preparation Strategy

The week before the cer exam is not the time to cram new information—it’s the time to consolidate and build confidence. Focus on reviewing your notes, reinforcing your understanding of tricky areas, and taking one or two full-length practice exams under timed conditions. Use the results of those final practice tests to guide your remaining study time. Prioritize understanding over repetition. It’s also important to rest—burning out during the final stretch can cause more harm than good.

Make sure you’re sleeping well, eating properly, and staying hydrated. The night before the exam, pack everything you need: your ID, directions to the test center, and any confirmation emails. Resist the urge to study late into the night. Instead, relax and get a full night’s rest. You want to walk into your cer certification test alert, calm, and focused—not mentally exhausted.

🚀 Conclusion

Taking the cer exam is a major milestone in your sterile processing career. It proves that you have not only the technical skill, but also the discipline and judgment to ensure patient safety at one of the most critical points in the care process. But passing the cer testing process isn’t about luck—it’s about smart preparation.

Understand what’s on the test, start studying early, use high-quality practice questions, and build good test-day habits. If you put in the time and follow a clear strategy, you’ll walk out of the testing center with a passing score—and a credential that can transform your career.

👉 Take a full-length CER practice test today at https://cer.examzify.com and start preparing with confidence.