Any CPSTI or authorized course administrator can add a course online.  If you are not included in one of these categories and are responsible for setting up courses, please submit a Course Administrator Application, which can be found  under Resources-FAQs then Forms.

Although Safe Kids allows members of any of the groups above to administer and set up certification courses, there may be additional state or local qualifications. Please check with your state CPS Training Contact to be sure all state and local policies are followed.

• Course Administration FAQs
• Course Administration Forms

Certification Course

The national standardized child passenger safety technician certification course is usually four to five days long and combines classroom instruction, hands-on work with car seats and in vehicles, and a community safety seat checkup event. Successful completion of this course certifies the individual as a national CPS technician for two years.

The certification course is available in English. All official written documentation, including correspondence with technician-candidates and certified individuals, and the Web site will continue to be in English. There are Spanish-speaking customer service representatives available to field inquiries and assist individuals in navigating the Web site.

Renewal Course

This eight-hour course was developed to help former technicians regain their CPST certification. Individuals must be in the system as having been nationally certified at some time (status = Expired). It provides a very brief overview of the technical information contained in the most recent version of the NHTSA curriculum and verifies technical skills through a series of hands-on assessments and a written test.

This course is designed for those who have stayed active in the field of CPS.  Any technician who does not pass the Renewal Course is encouraged to take the full Certification course, rather than taking the Renewal course again.

All complaints and appeals must include clear supporting documentation and be postmarked/emailed at least 90 days in advance of the requested course start date.

Please complete and use the appeals form, available under Resources-FAQs then Forms as a cover sheet for your submission.

Safe Kids will investigate and respond in writing to all complaints and appeals in as timely a manner as possible. As appropriate, the National Child Passenger Safety Board and state CPS training contact will be consulted. Should this be the case, no identifying information will be provided to any member of the board or the CPS community.

All decisions by Safe Kids Worldwide are final and may not be brought up for another appeal.

Appealing the 2-Instructor Requirement

Any Lead Instructor (LI) may submit a written appeal to waive the 2-instructor minimum requirement. Please note this requirement is for a richer course experience for the students and is not a reflection on the skill of any Certified Instructor.

Documentation must include:

1. Written confirmation from the State CPS Training contact that they approve the LI offering a course(s) without another Certified Instructor
2. A brief explanation of how the LI has reached out to other instructors for assistance 
3. The name of at least one Technician Assistant who will be helping out with the course behind the scenes (no teaching)
4. Agreement the course will be limited to no more than five students 
5. The number of courses requested (time limit of 1 year)

In addition, the appeal should include information on how the LI will help techs serve their communities once they are nationally CPS certified.