NC CPS Training Committee Policies
Approval of Technicians as Technician Instructor Candidates

Policy updated 11-06-08  printable pdf
Process and evaluation updated 06/17/09

Download the "NC CPS Instructor Candidate and Technician Course Assistant Process" packet.

Note: The "NC CPS Instructor Candidate Application" is included in the NC "Instructor Candidate and Technician Course Assistant Process" packet.

Nationally Certified Technicians who wish to pursue their certification as a Nationally Certified Technician Instructor through NC-sponsored training classes shall adhere to the following guidelines. This process is for any currently certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) who wishes to pursue their certification as a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor (CPSTI). This process is required if the CPSTI candidate wishes to pursue certification in NC-sponsored certification courses. The NC Training Committee has developed this process to provide a level of quality control within NC-sponsored certification courses.

A. Complete Initial Applications - The CPST seeking CPSTI Candidacy through NC-sponsored courses will:

1. Have been certified for a minimum of one year at the time of application to the NC Training Committee. Note that this is longer than the six-month minimum required by the national certification program.
   
   
2. Complete the NC CPSTI Candidate Application and submit it to the NC Training Committee.
   
   
3. Complete the registration and payment portion of the Instructor Candidacy process as required by the Safe Kids Worldwide (SKW) CPS Certification program (www.safekids.org/certification).
   
   NOTE: Steps 2 and 3 can be completed simultaneously, but the Safe Kids CPS Certification Program and the NC CPS Training Committee recommend that Technicians interested in becoming an Instructor serve as a Course Assistant in a certification class, and decide if they want to continue with the process, before completing the registration and payment portion of the Safe Kids CPS Instructor Candidacy process.

B. Serve as a Technician Course Assistant - The CPST seeking CPSTI Candidacy through NC-sponsored courses will:

1. Participate as a Course Assistant in a NC sponsored certification course selected by the NC Training Committee. After the NC CPSTI Candidate Application has been received by the NC Training Committee, the Committee or a delegated Committee representative will select the certification course for the Candidate to serve as a Course Assistant to ensure that the Technician will receive a thorough and objective evaluation of his/her technical skills and knowledge and his/her readiness to continue with the Instructor Candidacy process.
   For purposes of this evaluation, the Course Assistant will be assigned to a class where he/she has no personal or professional ties with any of the instructor/mentoring team in the class.
   
   Only one (1) Course Assistant being evaluated for readiness to continue with the Instructor Candidacy process or one (1) Instructor Candidate will be assigned to any given Certification class.
   
   There will be no financial reimbursement by the State of NC to the NC CPSTI Candidate for expenses incurred to participate as a Course Assistant. The NC CPS Training Committee encourages persons seeking to serve as Course Assistants to seek reimbursement for travel expenses from their employer/sponsoring agency. In the event an individual can not get travel expenses covered by his/her employer/sponsoring agency, the NC Training Committee will make every effort to select a class that is as close to the NC CPSTI Candidate’s residence as possible.
   
   Roles and Responsibilities of a Course Assistant (as specified by the Safe Kids CPS Certification Program):
   • Be present for the entire class - this includes participation in planning meetings for the certification class
   • Participate in setting up the classroom
   • Participate in classroom and outdoor exercises
   • Observe all aspects of course including various teaching styles of all instructors.
   • The Course Assistant does not lecture, grade or sign off skills tests.
   
   
2. Upon successful completion as a Course Assistant, complete and submit the Instructor Candidate Required Documentation to SKW Certification as required by SKW Certification. (www.safekids.org/certification) [Note that SKW Certification requires that all documentation must be submitted within six months of registration as an Instructor Candidate.]

C. Serve as an Instructor Candidate for a Selected Certification Course - The CPST seeking CPSTI Candidacy through NC-sponsored courses will:

1. When approval is received, forward a copy of the Instructor Candidate Required Documentation sent to the SKW Certification program as well as the CPSTI candidacy approval letter from SKW certification to the NC Training Committee. When received, a Training Committee representative will coordinate with you to identify a certification course to participate in and complete your requirements as a CPSTI Candidate. A CPSTI Candidate will be assigned to a class where he/she has no personal or professional ties with any of the instructor/mentoring team or the students in the class.
   
   A Mentoring Instructor, who has the capabilities and resources in the specific class to appropriately mentor and evaluate the CPSTI candidate, will be assigned for the remainder of the mentoring and Candidacy process.
   
   Only one (1) Instructor Candidate or one (1) Course Assistant being evaluated for readiness to continue with the Instructor Candidacy process will be assigned to any given Certification class.
   
   The NC CPS Training Committee encourages CPSTI Candidates to seek reimbursement for travel expenses from their employer/sponsoring agency. In the event an individual can not get travel expenses covered by his/her employer/sponsoring agency, reimbursement of travel expenses, and travel expenses only, can be reimbursed to the NC CPSTI Candidate for participation of a certification course as an Instructor Candidate.
   
   
2. The Mentor Instructor will discuss performance during the course daily and summarize evaluation and recommendation status for Instructor certification.
   
   
3. If the Mentor Instructor determines that you are not ready for certification as an Instructor due to deficiencies in demonstrated technical and/or instructional skills, you will be informed of areas that need additional work before attempting the Candidacy process again.
   
   
4. Upon successful completion of instructor candidacy, you will receive notice and documentation from Safe Kids Worldwide.
   

D. Questions or inquiries concerning eligibility or the approval process may be submitted to the NC CPS Resource Center.

E. Instructor Candidates will also complete all steps in order to be placed in the state's list of vendors to receive reimbursement. This process should take place after you have been approved to sit as an instructor-candidate, and prior to being scheduled for your instructor-candidate class. Information on completing this process can be obtained from the NC DOI Office of the State Fire Marshal.

F. An instructor whose certification has expired, must recertify as a technician according to Safe Kids certification policy. To recertify as an instructor, the entire instructor candidacy process, including NC-specific policies, must be followed and completed. However, the one year waiting period for eligibility to teach the NC CPS Basic Course may be waived.

Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: July 21, 2003
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: August 18, 2003
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: September 23, 2003
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: May 23, 2006
Revision(s) Adopted by the NC CPS Training Committee: October 28, 2008

Download the "NC CPS Instructor Candidate and Technician Course Assistant Process" packet.

Note: The "NC CPS Instructor Candidate Application" is included in the NC "Instructor Candidate and Technician Course Assistant Process" packet.

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