Child Passenger Safety Technician Recertification
updated
05-03-11
Recertification is based on the Safe Kids Worldwide CPS Certification Program's policies and procedures in effect at the time of recertification. Much of the following information is adapted from the Recertification section on the Safe Kids Certification website. Policies and procedures found on the Safe Kids site will stand in the event of a discrepancy between it and information found on buckleupnc.org
Recertification Overview
How long is the certification cycle?
The certification cycle for both technicians and instructors is two years. In order to retain their certifications, current technicians and instructors must meet all of the requirements for and successfully complete the re-certification process.
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How much is the recertification fee?
The re-certification fee is $50 for technicians and instructor candidates and $60 for instructors. If a certified individual is selected for audit and does not pass, no refund will be provided.
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When can I start the recertification process?
You can start the recertification process at any point during your recertification cycle. Technicians are encouraged to start the process for recertification as early as possible in order to meet all recertification requirements in a timely manner. Technicians who wait until the last month of their certification cycle to begin the recertification process may find that they are unable to complete all requirements in time, especially the skills signoffs.
There is NO GRACE PERIOD for recertification after your certification expiration date. In order to remain eligible for recertification, Technicians and Instructors must meet all pre-registration requirements prior to their current certification expiration date. Technicians who fail to meet these requirements on time are no longer eligible for regular recertification, but may be eligible to take the Certification Renewal Course.
However, active duty military personnel who were currently certified at the time of their assignment to overseas duty and who can provide official documentation of the assignment and its duration, may be allowed by Safe Kids to recertify without penalty. Persons who wish to take advantage of this option must contact the Safe Kids Certification Program within three months after returning to the United States, provide required documentation, and complete the recertification process in a timely manner.
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What are the basic requirements for recertification?
There are two general steps to successful recertification.
1. Meet all pre-registration requirements, including:
- Verified seat check activity (5 types).
- Community event (one check up or community workshop)
- Continuing education (6 hours)
- If applicable, teaching hours
2. Register and pay for recertification. Registering and paying for recertification may be done up to four months prior to the individual’s certification cycle end date.
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How do I contact Safe Kids?
You can reach Safe Kids through their website or by calling 877-366-8154. Specific questions about certification, recertification, and online services might be answered through their Frequently Asked Questions page.
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Specific Recertification Requirements
What are the requirements for the skills evaluation?
All Technicians and Instructors are required to have a currently certified Instructor verify a correct installation for each of the following configurations during a given certification period:
- Rear-facing infant child safety seat
- Rear-facing convertible child safety seat
- Forward-facing child safety seat with harness
- Belt-positioning booster
- Installation with LATCH
The skills verifications are not intended to be a "let me show you I can install five different car seats in one car" process. Instead, the primary purpose of Instructor verification of the seat check activity is observation of a Technician's interaction with parents and children as well as his/her technical knowledge and skills. As such, all efforts should be made to complete the skills evaluation in a clinic setting (or permanent checking station) with parents/caregivers present.
Instructors will be looking to see if the technician effectively communicates accurate and up-to-date information to the parent/caregiver consistent with the information and methodologies detailed in the standardized curriculum and also if the technician is able to correctly install and explain installation to the caregiver and teach the caregiver how to install and use their seat(s) on their own. Technicians should use the principles of “Learn, Practice, Explain” to teach parents/caregivers about child passenger safety. Technicians should act as educators, not as installers.
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How do I find an instructor to help me with my skills evaluation?
Technicians are encouraged to work with instructors in their area on a regular basis. A list of current North Carolina instructors can be found on the NC CPS Instructors page.
Additionally, local events are posted on the events calendar. Postings for car seat clinics indicate whether or not an instructor will be present at the event.
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What are the continuing education requirements for recertification?
All technicians and instructors are required to log at least six hours of CPS technical continuing education (CEUs) into the system. The CEUs must be obtained and reported during one’s current certification cycle (two years). There is no carry-over from one period to the next, even when more than the required CEUs have been accumulated. CEUs must fit into one of the five approved categories and meet content requirements.
Categories of CEUs
1. In-person Session/Workshop (maximum 6 CEUs)
2. Observing a CPS Certification or Renewal Course (maximum 3 CEUs) - NO LONGER AVALABLE
3. Teleconferences (maximum 5 CEUs)
4. Online/Web sessions (maximum 5 CEUs)
5. Newsletters/Manuals/Journals (maximum 3 CEUs)
Technicians and instructors may mix and match categories to meet the six required hours of continuing education.
Technicians are required to keep personal written proof of the types and content of their CEU achievements. A random sample of completed re-certifications is routinely selected for auditing by the CPS Certification program. The purpose of the audit is to verify existence of documentation of CEUs being completed and in accordance with policies and procedures of the certifying body.
See the Safe Kids CPS Certification website for more detailed information about CEU requirements and auditing.
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Where do I find CEU opportunities?
Technicians and instructors are urged to refer to the Safe Kids Certification website for detailed information on CEU eligibility, documentation, and auditing requirements.
Category 1. In-person Session/Workshop (maximum 6 CEUs)
Category 2. Observing a CPS Certification Course (maximum 3 CEUs)
No longer available
Category 3. Teleconferences (maximum 5 CEUs)
- SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. Technical Teleconferences - Refer to the SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. website for information on teleconference schedules and pre-recorded teleconferences that are accessible at any time. Registration fees are required to participate in teleconferences.
Category 4. Online/Web sessions (maximum 5 CEUs)
- NC CPS Conference videos - Here you will find a selection of video sessions from the 2008 North Carolina Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Conference. The videos are divided into two main sections - videos for CEU credits and videos for supplemental information.
- Earn CEUs By Taking Online Quizes on cpsboard.org - Technicians may qualify for CEUs by reading online presentations and taking a quiz for each presentation.
- Safe Kids Webinars - Currently there is 1 online presentation on School Buses and occupant protection for children worth 2 CEUs. More will be available at a later time.
- Britax Advocate Extranet - Accessible only through CPS Technicians' profiles on the Safe Kids CPS Certification website. The Britax Advocate Extranet is a site for certified child passenger safety technicians (CPST) and instructors (CPSTI) to earn CPS CEUs, and find technical support and information regarding Britax products beyond what can be found on the Britax consumer-based website.
- Evenflo's SafetyMadeEasier webpage. Here you will find CEU opportunities, installation tips, and information about Evenflo's product line.
- buckleupillinois.org Online/Web Sessions - The IL DOT had their November 2006 IL CPS Conference professionally taped. Technicians across the nation can get up to 4 CEUs by
viewing the web streaming and taking the associated quizzes.
Category 5. Newsletters/Manuals/Journals (maximum 3 CEUs)
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What are the requirements for the community event/education portion of recertification?
There are two options for satisfying the “community event” requirement:
- Participate in a two-hour (or longer) check up event with at least one other CPS Technician at which you serve families using any standardized checklist. Copies of the checklists should be kept to provide documentation for possible audit. Providing education and installation assistance through Permanent Checking Stations will satisfy this requirement as long as the other criteria (at least 2 hours, with another certified Technician, and with documentation) are met. OR
- Provide at least four hours of community education. Examples of community education include presenting CPS information to parents, educators, kids, organizations (PTAs, law enforcement) and civic clubs. These are presentations must be made to non- CPS certified audiences.
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My certification has expired. How do I get recertified?
Technicians and Instructors must meet all pre-registration requirements prior to their current certification expiration date. Technicians who fail to meet these requirements on time are no longer eligible for regular re-certification, but may be eligible to take the Certification Renewal Course.
The Renewal Course provides a brief overview of the technical information contained in the most recent version of the NHTSA CPS Certification curriculum, verifies technical skills through hands-on testing, and assesses CPS knowledge through an on-site written test. A printed copy of the Certification Course Student Manual will be provided to all students attending a Renewal Course, but students should review the latest version of the Certification Course Student Manual, found on the CPS Board website prior to class. Upon successful completion of this class, technicians will be recertified.
This is NOT an update/refresher class. This course is meant for expired CPS Technicians who have maintained their child passenger safety knowledge and their hands-on skills. It is expected that students attempting to renew their certifications stayed involved in CPS programs and activities, have kept up with changes in the field by reading technical updates, attending other CPS classes, and working with non-expired technicians to keep their installation skills current, but who - for one reason or another - allowed their certifications to expire.
Individuals who do not meet these criteria should not expect to pass the Certification Renewal course. Persons who need more review and practice should consider retaking the national certification course in order to regain certification.
All registrations for certification classes must be made using the Safe Kids Certification online system.
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