CAii/CMII study guide
CAii/CMII · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CAii (Certified Associate in Infection Control and Instrumentation) and CMII (Certified Medical Instrumentation and Infection Control) credentials are aimed at people who handle reusable medical devices and the infection-control side of that work: sterile processing technicians, endoscopy reprocessing staff, biomedical equipment technicians, and the supervisors who sign off on their work. The exams test whether you can reason across the full loop from contaminated device to patient-ready device, and whether you understand the safety and documentation obligations that sit around it. The CAii/CMII study guide has 7 sections and about 2,308 words.
01Infection Prevention and Control Principles
This domain tests whether you can apply the chain of infection, standard and transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, and the Spaulding classification to real ambulatory and reprocessing decisions, rather than recite definitions. CAII and CMII items usually present a scenario and ask which precaution, product, or sequence is correct.
343 words, about 2 min02Medical Device Reprocessing and Sterilization
This domain tests the full reprocessing chain - point-of-use treatment, transport, cleaning, disinfection or sterilization, inspection, packaging, sterilization monitoring, and storage - plus the parameters and limitations of each modality. Expect scenario items on cycle selection, packaging, and load release.
337 words, about 2 min03Instrumentation Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
This domain tests what you do after cleaning and before packaging: inspecting instruments under magnification, function-testing them, checking insulation and channels, and deciding whether an item can be used, repaired, or retired. Exam items often hide a defect that only one test would reveal.
351 words, about 2 min04Regulatory Standards and Accreditation Requirements
This domain tests how external requirements become daily practice: consensus standards, federal regulations, manufacturer instructions, and accreditation survey expectations. Items ask you to identify which requirement applies and what evidence a surveyor would expect.
319 words, about 2 min05Environmental Safety and Occupational Health
This domain tests worker protection in decontamination and sterile processing: bloodborne pathogens, chemical safety, respiratory protection, sharps, spills, ergonomics, and environmental controls. Items often present an exposure or hazard and ask for the correct immediate action and program element.
321 words, about 2 min06Quality Assurance and Documentation
This domain tests whether you can prove that reprocessing and infection prevention are working: records, audits, monitoring, recall procedures, competency, and corrective action. Items ask what a complete record contains or what to do when monitoring fails.
315 words, about 2 min07Professional Practice and Communication
This domain tests how you work with others when safety depends on shared information: handoffs, escalation, conflict, confidentiality, and speaking up. Items are scenario-based and reward the response that protects the patient while respecting roles and documenting clearly.
322 words, about 2 min