CPS Technician Recertification
updated
09-11-08
When to Start the Recertification Process
Skills Verification and Locating an Instructor
Re-certification 2007 Overview
• Community Event/Education Requirements
• Continuing Education Requirements
• Certified Instructor Teaching Hours
Continuing Education Opportunities
Certification Renewal Course
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
When to Start the Recertification Process
The technical skills verification component of the recertification process can be completed at any point during the certification cycle. Technicians may start the remainder of the recertification process once their technical skills have been verified and it is within four months of their current certification expiration date.
It is important to note that the re-certification process cannot be completed in a single day. Depending upon the choices made, such as payment by credit card vs. check, the process could take as few as five days to as many as 60 days to complete.
There is NO GRACE PERIOD for re-certification after the certification expiration date. In order to remain eligible for re-certification, 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.
While Safe Kids cannot waive re-certification fees for anyone, they do consider active, non-domestic military duty a reasonable excuse for late re-certification. Active 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 re-certify 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 re-certification process in a timely manner.
Skills Verification
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 required for re-certification is observation of a Technician's interaction with parents and children. The verifying Instructor should feel confident in the Technician's ability to communicate accurate information to a parent or caregiver and should double-check that the installation and paperwork are appropriate and correct.
The ideal method for skills verification has always been through the Instructor's observation of the Technician during seat checks at clinics or permanent checking stations. This method has always been strongly recommended by the National CPS Board. The following guidelines were approved by the re-certification committee of the National CPS Board:
- During a seat check, it is always best to have the child present. Instructors and Technicians are strongly encouraged to make every effort to do an actual safety seat checkup.
- If an actual caregiver is not available, the Instructor may choose a mock scenario, where a colleague acts out the part of the parent.
- It is strongly encouraged that Instructor verification of required seat check activity be completed on an ongoing basis throughout your certification cycle, rather waiting until near your certification expiration date.
A "CPS Practical Skills for Re-Certification Log" for Technicians to use to keep track of skills verifications is available on the Safe Kids Certification web site.
Locating an Instructor
Technicians should not expect to be able to wait until just before their expiration date and then be able to find an Instructor to sign off on their skills verifications. Instead, Technicians are encouraged to become familiar and to work with Instructors in their area. Coordinators for child passenger safety events are encouraged to contact an Instructor to arrange for the Instructor to be present at their clinics for skills verifications. Coordinators for permanent checking stations can arrange for an Instructor to be present during station hours for skills verification.
While it is preferable to have all direct observations and verifications conducted by a currently certified Instructor, the Safe Kids Certification program recognizes that may not always be feasible to do so. If unusual circumstances warrant doing so, a currently certified Instructor may designate a Technician to serve as his or her proxy for observation and verification of another individual's installations required for re-certification. The designated Technician-proxy would evaluate and provide feedback during the seat checks and then provide that information to the Instructor, who has the ultimate responsibility of verifying the seat check online.
It is important to note that the Safe Kids Certification program recognizes that the Technician proxy policy is not for everyone. If an Instructor does not wish to designate, or does not feel comfortable with designating this level of responsibility to a proxy, he or she is not obligated to do so.
Refer to the list of certified Instructors in North Carolina
to find the nearest Instructor(s).
Re-certification Overview
The certification cycle for both technicians and instructors is two years. In order to retain their certifications, they must meet all of the requirements for and successfully complete the re-certification process. There are two general steps to successful re-certification:
- 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
- Register and pay for re-certification. Registering and paying for re-certification may be done up to four months prior to the individual’s certification cycle end date. The re-certification fee is $40 for technicians and instructor candidates and $60 for instructors.
There are two different types of reminders sent out by the Safe Kids CPS Certification program. However, it is the responsibility of individual technicians and instructors to make sure that their contact information is complete, current, and accurate so that they will receive the reminders.
- A personalized letter with username and password information will be sent to technicians and instructors approximately 12 weeks before their certification expiration date.
- A personalized e-mail reminder will be sent approximately 8 weeks before your current certification expires.
In addition, there are constant reminders in the CPS Express! This is the monthly Safe Kids Certification program newsletter that is sent via email to all current technicians and instructors with valid email addresses listed in their online profiles. Back issues of CPS Express are available through the Certification website.
Community Event/Education Requirements
All technicians and instructors are required to participate in at least one community event and the event must be logged into the online system. 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.
Continuing Education Requirements
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.
IMPORTANT NOTE regarding CEU auditing: CEUs are self-certified, like child restraints are certified by the manufacturer. CPSTs are required to keep personal written proof of the types and content of their CEU achievements. In much the same manner that child restraints are selected for compliance testing by NHTSA:
- A random sample of completed re-certifications is routinely selected for auditing by the CPS Certification program.
- Each category has specific written documentation requirements.
- 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.
Technicians and instructors are urged to refer to the Safe Kids Certification website for detailed information on CEU eligibility, documentation, and auditing requirements.
Categories of CEUs
1. In-person Session/Workshop (maximum 6 CEUs)
2. Observing a CPS Certification or Renewal Course (maximum 3 CEUs)
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.
All categories of CEUs must meet the content requirements of improving CPS technical knowledge such as LATCH, a child restraint manufacturer workshop or CPS technical update. Non-technical CPS sessions, such as how to get funding or run an inspection station, do not qualify.
Basic details audit requirements for each CEU category follows below. Refer to the Safe Kids CPS Certification website for detailed information and audit requirements.
Category #1: In-person Session/Workshop
Maximum allowable hours: 6
The Technician must attend a structured presentation/session that meets content requirements during the certification cycle. Technicians are encouraged to get your information from more than one person or source. Examples of structured presentations/sessions (they must meet content requirements*) include:
- Local, regional or state CPS meetings
- “CPS on School Buses” course (NHTSA)
- “Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs” course.
- National conference sessions discussing technical CPS skills (ex: Lifesavers, American Academy of Pediatrics, etc.)
- CPS Certified presenters at local, state or national meetings may apply 1.5 hours for every hour developed and taught. The maximum hours that can be claimed is 3. The audience for these sessions must be primarily CPSTs (not the general public), necessitating that the CPST conduct research to obtain the latest information. Each session may be counted once. For example, providing three sessions of the same workshop counts one time, even if they are offered at different venues/locations. CONTENT ALERT: If a certified presenter provides information contrary to best practice or based on rumors, they may be brought up for certification appeal.
*Examples of content that would qualify for CPS CEUs include:
- CR manufacturer workshops/product updates
- CPS Q& A panel at a conference
- Vehicle manufacturer workshops specific to occupant protection
- The latest LATCH technology
- Case studies of child occupants in crashes
- Car seats and school bus safety
- Restraining tweens
Examples of content that would NOT quality for CPS CEUs include:
- How to run an inspection station
- Cultivation and retention of CPS Technicians
- Working with legislators to pass a booster bill
- Using data to dissect the CPS problem
- Impaired driving victim impact panel
- Older drivers
- How to use the national CPS certification online system
- Children around cars/Spot the Tot
- Setting up a CPS program in your hospital
- Fund Raising
- How to write a grant
- Tips on how to better teach you CPS Cert. Class
- Data collection methods (how to)
Examples of events/courses NOT eligible for CPS CEUs:
- Op-Kids LE, Op-Kids RN, Safe Native American Passengers, Moving Kids Safely in Childcare (these courses do not qualify for CPS CEUs because they do not contain more information than is in the basic CPS certification course).
- Technicians may not include their original certification courses.
- Check up events, while valuable, do not qualify for CEUs. They do not qualify for continuing education as it is already required in other re-certification areas.
- Members of the CPS certification course instructor team may not include the course for CEUs. Teaching hours are required as part of instructor re-certification. Watching other instructors while on the team is part of the general course instructor experience.
Category #2: Observe a Certification or Renewal Course
Maximum allowable hours: 3
Technicians may sit in and observe a national Certification or Certification Renewal Course for a maximum of 3 CEU hours. Every hour of classroom auditing (outside skills work does not count; classroom time only) may apply ½ CEU towards re-certification.
- REQUIREMENT: You must get approval to sit in from the lead instructor for the course. No materials will be provided. There is no national course fee but local fees may be required.
- The minimum number of hours sitting in is two since ½ credits may not be included or combined with other CEU categories.
- Members of the course instructor team may not include the course for CEUs. Teaching hours are required as part of your re-certification. Watching other instructors while on the team is part of the general course instructor experience.
- Instructors who have not yet taught a specific type of course (such as the new certification course) may sit in on that course for CEUs.
Category #3: Teleconferences
Maximum allowable hours: 5
A teleconference is a call with a moderator and many callers. Participants call into a designated number to listen in on the call. Depending on the format established by the moderator, it may be listen-only or allow interaction by participants. Teleconference calls that meet content requirements for CEUs may be applied towards re-certification. To qualify for CEUs, there must be a formal agenda published in advance. Call notes and confirmation of attendance must be provided to attendees.
Category #4: Online/Web Sessions
Maximum allowable hours: 5
Interactive Web update or online course that meets content requirements for CEUs.
Category #5: Newsletters/Manuals/Journals
Maximum allowable hours: 3
Eligible newsletters must have national circulation with primarily CPS technical content geared towards CPSTs. They must be peer-reviewed (e.g. review committee) and approved by the certifying body (e.g., Tech Update, Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics, STAPP).
Approved Publication and Documentation/Audit Requirements
1. Free Newsletters 1 CEU maximum - Quizzes provided when selected for audit. 2 passing (80%) quizzes are required for 1 CEU.
a) Tech Update (published online semi-annually on the CPS Board Web site http://www.cpsboard.org
2. Purchased Newsletters - 1 CEU per year of subscription - Proof of purchase provided by publisher.
a) Safe Ride News http://saferidenews.org/
b) SafetyBeltSafe News http://carseat.org/
3. Manuals - One CEU maximum per manual - Technicians must provide completed quiz, provided by publisher on their respective Web sites, with a passing grade of 80 percent.
a) LATCH manual http://www.saferidenews.com/
b) Child Restraint Manufacturers’ Instructions (CRMI) or individual instruction manuals http://carseat.org/
4. Scientific journals/Conference Proceedings - 1 CEU maximum for 3 articles.
a) Read 3 published CPS-related articles may be submitted for. Must be a peer-reviewed, national, scientific publication (e.g. Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics, STAPP). Approved purchased newsletters (named above) may not be used for this.
Certified Instructor Teaching Hours
In addition to the previously mentioned requirements, instructors must also have a minimum of 20 hours of lecturing and hands-on teaching during the current two-year certification cycle, at least 10 of which must be earned teaching the Certification course. The additional hours may involve mentoring, teaching the Certification Renewal course or a combination of both.
Teaching hours are automatically tracked by the system through the course administration and finalization process. Individual instructors are not responsible for inputting their own teaching hours.
Continuing Education 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)
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.
- buckleupillinois.org Online/Web Sessions - The IL DOT had their IL CPS Conference professionally taped last
November. 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)
Certification Renewal Course
Technicians whose certifications have expired are eligible to take the 8-hour Certification Renewal Course. After successfully completing this class, students will be re-certified as CPS Technicians without having to take the complete Certification 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 (www.cpsboard.org) prior to class.
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.
The Renewal Course fee is $75. Additional details and registration information is available at www.safekids.org/certification under Re-certification: Certification Renewal Course.
Potential registrants for the Renewal Course must currently exist in the certification system as having been nationally certified at any time since the national program began in 1998. Individuals not listed in the Safe Kids CPS Certification system as having been certified are not eligible to take the Renewal course. To register and pay for a renewal class, go to the Safe Kids CPS Certification Registration site. The Certification site has detailed information on the registration process, fees, and instructions on how to register for a class. (Note that clicking on this link will open a new browser window).
Any Renewal classes that are being sponsored by the State of North Carolina, and some that are sponsored locally, will be listed on the NC CPS Training Schedule.
Additional North Carolina classes that have not requested to be listed on this site as well as classes scheduled in surrounding states can be found using the "Find a Course" feature on the Safe Kids CPS Certification website. Be sure to check the "Also Show Invitation Only/Controlled Courses" box to view ALL classes.
All registrations for certification classes must be made using the Safe Kids Certification online system.
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