General

1. Who is responsible for making sure I recertify? (added Jan. 25, 2011)

2. When is the earliest I can recertify? (Dec. 18. 2009)

3. What is the Community Event? (March 3, 2011)

4. What is a CEU? (added Sept. 25, 2006)

5. What is the Renewal Course and who is it for? (June 23, 2008)

6. I am a CPSTI. Do I have to do seat check sign-offs? (Feb 26, 2010)

7. I passed a "Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs" course. How does it show up in my profile? (Apr 10, 2012)

Earning CEUs

8. How do I know how many CEUs an update is worth? (Jan. 20, 2010)

9. My certification expiration date is 4 months away and I already recertified. Can I earn CEUs now for my new certification cycle? (Nov. 18, 2011)

10. Can a workshop I attended last year count? (Sept. 25, 2006)

11. What if I go to a retailer with another tech and look at the new seats? Can I earn CEUs? (Sept. 25, 2006)

12. What are some acceptable and unacceptable CPS CEU content? (rev. Nov. 29, 2011)

13. Can I watch a video (recorded webinar) for CEUs? (rev March 22, 2011)

14. Can I get credit for for watching a webinar with a group? (rev. May 15, 2012)

15. With the 2011 version of the LATCH manual out, can I submit each version (2009 and 2011) for one CEU each (2 total) towards a single recertification cycle? (rev Jan. 25, 2011)

16. Can I work on my seat checks and get CEUs? (July 2, 2007)

17. Who do I contact if I lost my proof of CEU completion? (Oct. 10, 2011)

Providing CEUs

18. I am not a CPSTI, can I present a tech update session for CPS CEUs? (May 13, 2010)

19. I presented a 1 CEU session at a 4 CEU conference. What do I get credit for? (May 13, 2010)

20. Is there an advantage of providing a pre-approved CEU? (Jan. 20, 2010)

1. Who is responsible for making sure I recertify? (added Jan. 25, 2011)
Although many technicians have people who help them stay certified, like a local instructor or someone with their agency, the individual technician is ultimately responsible for maintaining their certification. This includes updating their online profile and making sure their contact information is correct, entering their recertification requirements (seat checks, CEUs) and paying the applicable fees before their certification expires.

Technicians and instructors are responsible for their certification like manufacturers are responsible for crash testing, they self-certify. They are required to keep personal written proof of the types and content of their CEU achievements.Recertification can be completed up to 4 months in advance without losing any time. If you recertify in March but your cycle is July 15-July 14, it stays July. For information about your recertification requirements, please go to the certification home page http://cert.safekids.org and click on Re-certification. There you will find information about the requirements for recertification and instructions on how to enter your information in your online profile. To help you keep track of your progress offline, you can print out and use the Recert Log.

2. When is the earliest I can recertify? (Dec. 18. 2009)
You can register up to 4 months in advance of your certification expiration date. You will NOT lose any time--your dates stay the same. Because your certification cycle stays the same, any CEUs obtained after you recertify but before the first day of your new certification cycle may not be applied to the new cycle.

Be sure the official contact information in your Online Profile is up to date so you'll get the reminders and notices.

Since you don't lose any certification time and you have two years to acquire your 6 CEUs, it is strongly encouraged that you recertify early so you don't risk forgetting and letting your certification expire.

3. What is the Community Event? (March 3, 2011)
OPTION 1: Two-hour check up event with at least one other CPS Technician at which you serve families using any standardized checklist to provide documentation, if needed.

OPTION 2: Provide at least four hours of CPS education or community outreach to non-CPSTs. Technicians are welcome to combine different types of events they have provided to meet the time requirement (e.g. four 1-hour sessions).

Examples of community outreach include talking at birthing classes, PTAs, EMS/law enforcement, a preschool or Head Start, Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS) or other parenting groups and organizations. Working health fairs where you are primarily talking about CPS would also count towards this requirement.

Technicians may choose material from a variety of credible resources as long as it reinforces best practice. A great resource for technicians is the National CPS Board's CPS Technician Community Outreach Toolkit which can be saved or downloaded from the Safe Kids CPS Certification website. A link to this toolkit is provided through your CPS Online Profile. Just log in and click on Technician or Instructor Downloads (CPS Board) to access the toolkit online. No extra passwords necessary!

4. What is a CEU? (added Sept. 25, 2006)
Generally, one hour of technical contact time counts for one continuing education unit (CEU), with a few specific exceptions. 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.

5. What is the Renewal Course and who is it for?
The 8-hour National CPS Training Certification Renewal Course was updated in the summer of 2008 and is a way for once-certified individuals to become certified again. In order to be eligible for this course, the student must have a CPS profile with a certification status of EXPIRED. There is no limit for how long ago their certification expired.

All students MUST be current in their CPS knowledge and skills and come ready to test! Students must pass the skills test (only two attempts per station) and make at least 84% on the written test. There is no limit to the number of times students can take this course but if students do not pass, it is recommended that they retake the full Certification Course.

How do I register? Technicians with expired certifications must register using the online system. If you are not able to register online, it is likely you logged in as a new user. If you did, your status will show as CONTACT rather than as EXPIRED in your online profile (see right column).

If you have ever held national CPS certification, you already have an assigned username and password. If you log in as a new user instead, the system will show no record of your certification history. If you do not know your username or password, and you have the same email address you did when you were originally certified, try clicking on "Forgot Your Password?" at the log in screen. You may also contact CPS customer service at cps.certification@safekids.org or toll-free at 877-366-8154 877-366-8154 .

6. I am a CPSTI. Do I have to do seat check sign-offs? (Feb. 26, 2010)
Seat check sign offs create an opportunity to address the skills of fellow technicians in a similar way to that in which we work with families: encouraging correct use, reinforcing resources to aid technician recommendations, and making the person more confident in their skills. Technicians readily rely upon local instructors to assist them in many ways. This connect is a continuation from the classroom in to real life scenarios that provide the "aha" moment when a technician learns of a new way to make a recommendation or apply new technical information. For instructors, seat checks serve as a necessary balance of being a good educator and being technically proficient.

Although there is no mandate, CPSTIs should be reasonably available to techs in their community since only CPSTIs can do a sign off. This does not mean that they have to approve a seat check. If the CPSTI does not feel confident in the tech's ability to communicate accurate information to a parent or caregiver, they should provide guidance and support so the tech will do a better job next time. For tips, review the Auditor's Alcove article in the January 2010 CPS Express.

Note: There are some states that have seat checks as a standard of performance or an expectation of a CPS Instructor accepting and operating under the scope of CPS practice.

7. I passed a “Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs" course.  How does it show up in my profile? (Apr 11, 2012)

The National Center for Safe Transportation of Children with Special Healthcare Needs at Riley Hospital for Children receives all paperwork from the course instructor within 30 days of the completion of the course. Once the paperwork is received by the National Center, Safe Kids is provided with the rosters and tech profiles are updated within 2 business days. When your profile is updated, you will see "Extra Training: Special Needs" in your CPS Online Profile.

Did you pass a course and it’s not in your profile? Contact the National Center directly: Jody Yoder, jodyoder@iupui.edu.

8. How do I know how many CEUs an update is worth? (Jan. 20. 2010)
A 45-minute session may be rounded up and counted as 1 hour of continuing education. Sessions shorter than 45 minutes may not be included. You may not combine shorter sessions to equal one hour.

Educational sessions lasting longer than an hour and 15 minutes may be awarded 1.5 CEUs. The ability to enter half credits is an option after the first CEU.

• 3/4 hr (45 min) - 1 hr 15 min = 1 CEU
• 1 hr 15 min - 1 hr 45 min = 1.5 CEUs
• 1 hr 45 min - 2 hr 15 min = 2 CEUs

9. My certification expiration date is 4 months away and I already recertified.  Can I earn CEUs now for my new certification cycle? (Nov. 18, 2011) 
Are you thinking about recertifying but have a very hectic schedule?  Don’t worry, as a Technician or Instructor, you can recertify up to 4 months prior to your certification expiration date.  Knowing that your work schedule is ever changing, this option provides flexibility as to when you complete the recertification process.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  Recertify early and cross off one item from your “To Do” list. 

The CEUs you earn can only be applied if to they occur within your current certification cycle.  If you recertify early, the month and day of your certification cycle will not change.

For example, your certification ends on 12/01/11 and you decide to recertify early on 10/01/11. Your new cert cycle will be 12/02/11 – 12/01/13. Any CEUs earned between 10/01/11 and 12/01/11 will not count towards your new 2011 - 2013 cycle and you will not be able to enter them into your CPS online profile.

10. Can a workshop I attended last year count? (Sept. 25, 2006)
The educational sessions must be within your current certification cycle and meet approved content areas. If your certification cycle is 7/1/2011 – 6/30/2013 and the session was in September 2011, it would qualify for credit under category #1. A session taken in June of 2011 would not qualify.

11. What if I go to a retailer with another tech and look at the new seats? (Sept. 25, 2006)
To qualify for credit under category #1, educational sessions must be researched, prepared and organized. Although it is practical and prudent for a technician to periodically review the selection of seats at a local retailer, this activity would not count towards CEUs.

If, however, the activity was structured as a class that met category #1 requirements, such as including an agenda, sign in roster, etc., then it could qualify for CEUs.

12. What are some acceptable and unacceptable CPS CEU content? (rev. Nov. 29, 2011)
There are many updates that are beneficial to you as a tech that do not meet the CEU criteria "CPS Technical Content".  You only need 6 CEUs in a 2-year certification cycle so please do go and learn, even if you don't earn CPS CEUs!

Examples of content that would qualify:

• CR manufacturer workshops/product updates
• CPS 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:

These may be very interesting and relevant but do not meet the content requirements for CEUs. Please continue to offer and attend these types of sessions.

• 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)
• Operation Kids courses (subsets of certification course)

13. Can I watch a video (recorded webinar) for CEUs? (rev. March 22, 2011)
Although watching a CPS technical video on your own would not qualify for CEUs, you could organize an update where you and fellow techs meet to watch and then discuss the video. This would be considered category 1 (in-person session). It might just be you and the technicians you work with, but with an agenda, sign in sheet, and proof of attendance, it will be organized and meet the requirements.

It could also be submitted for pre-approval for CEUs. As with all CPS CEUs, the content must be CPS technical, such as LATCH or special needs transportation options, rather than programmatic.

14. Can I get credit for watching a webinar with a group? (rev. May 15, 2012)

CPS Category 4 (Online/Web session) CEU credit is only provided to techs who logged into a live webinar. A moderated Web session requires that participants have an opportunity for asking questions.

If you have a group that will be watching together, and everyone would like to earn CPS CEUs, it may be organized for a Category #1 In-person session. The person organizing would follow all the usual protocols like a sign in sheet and provide proof of attendance. Participants could watch the webinar together and then discuss it. They would also, of course, be able to submit the update for preapproval if they liked.

The simple preapproval application may be found at http://cert.safekids.org/ResourcesFAQs/Forms/Recertification.aspx and click on "CPS CEU Preapproval Request Form".

15. With the 2011 version of the LATCH manual out, can I submit each version (2009 and 2011) for one CEU each (2 total) towards a single recertification cycle? (rev. Jan. 25, 2011)
You may only submit one LATCH quiz (either edition) for a certification cycle. Please choose one or the other to enter for a CEU. If you submit the 2009 quiz for a certification cycle, you are welcome to submit 2011 quiz (or later) for your next certification cycle.

16. Can I work on my seat checks and get CEUs? (rev. Aug. 15, 2011)
If you are working on your seat checks/sign offs at an event or as part of an update, you can not also get credit for CEUs. If you need CEUs, the time must be used for practice only. No double dipping!

17. Who do I contact if I lost my proof of CEU completion? (Oct. 10, 2011)
If your CEU’s are audited, you will have to provide proof of completion/attendance. If you lose your proof of attendance, contact the event/update/webinar provider. If they are not able to provide proof of completion, you may work with the Quality Assurance Specialist to make up the CEUs. She will provide suggestions and guidance in order to help you complete the audit process.

NOTE: Safe Kids does not maintain a database of attendees for non-Safe Kids USA updates.

18.  I am not a CPSTI, can I present a tech update session for CPS CEUs? (May 13, 2010)
CEU sessions can be presented by anyone. Presenters do not have to be a CPSTI or a CPST, as long as the content of the presentation is accurate, up to date, and increases the CPS technical knowledge and skill of the CPST audience.

If you would like to develop a CEU session and are unsure if it will qualify for CEUs, you can submit Preapproval Request Form with a copy of your agenda to the Certification Program. You will receive a response within 2 business days. If you do not get a response, please double check the email (kchausmer@safekids.org)or fax it to 202-393-2072. Your application and agenda will be reviewed and your session will be given a pre-approval ID number. Please do not include copies of your slides as the specific content will not be reviewed.

Pre-approval is not mandatory, but it lets your audience know that your session does count for the specified number of CEUs. If audited, the CPST need only send proof of attendance with the pre-approval ID number.

19. I presented a 1 CEU session at a 4 CEU conference. What do I get credit for? (May 13, 2010)
CPSTs can earn 1.5 CEUs for each hour developed and taught. If the presentation was researched and put together by you, then you can apply 1.5 CEUs per hour presented. If you present a session that was developed by someone else (i.e. presenting one of the webinars found at www.safekidswebinars.org) and you have already claimed CEUs from the session, you should not be awarded CEUs for presenting; no double dipping! If it is your first time with the material and you did not prepare the information, then you can award yourself the CEU as if you were in the audience.

If you attended a session as a presenter, you may also apply the CEUs for being in attendance for the remaining sessions. In this example, if the CPST had not previously collected CEUs for any of the sessions being presented, and they developed their presentation and was presenting it for the first time, they would earn 4.5 CEUs: 1.5 for the session they developed and 3 CEUs for the other sessions.

20. Is there an advantage of providing a pre-approved CEU? (Jan. 20, 2010)
Yes, many technicians will want to be confident in submitting CEUs that will go toward their recertification without wondering if the event qualifies or has been correctly calculated. If they are randomly selected for an audit, then there is no question about the allocation of CEUs. Once the CEU update session has been preapproved, the assigned event ID is included on proof of participation for each tech to keep for their recertification cycle. CEU documentation should be kept during the certification cycle and for at least three months after re-certification is completed.

Suggestions for organizers: Keep the approved CEU notification from Safe Kids as part of your record along with the application, sign in sheet and any evaluations. Although not a requirement, organizers may be asked by participants for proof of their participation in their CEU if an audited tech loses their certificate. Providing a copy of the CEU sign-in sheet or an email from the organizer to the tech with the Event ID, date and confirmation of attendance will meet the requirement for proof of the technicians participation.