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Frequently Asked Questions

General/ Certification/ Re-certification/ Course Administration/ Instructor Candidacy/ Organization Management / Online Services

Answers - General

Who do I contact for help? (Aug. 24, 2007)

If you have questions regarding the following, please contact the Safe Kids Worldwide headquarters directly:

Instructor candidacy processing and approval

Challenges, complaint and appeals

For all other certification-related questions, including the examples below, please contact Safe Kids CPS certification customer service toll free at 877-366-8154 or cps.certification@safekids.org.

Accessing the certification system

Username & password issues

Assistance with course setup/ finalization

Materials shipping

Registering for a course

Questions regarding payment

Contact information for both customer service and Safe Kids Worldwide headquarters can be found in Resources->Contact Us or by clicking the Contact Us button to the right.

How can I see if I am a senior checker? (rev. Aug. 26, 2009)

Senior Checker designation is not a component of the CPS certification program administered by Safe Kids. A separate CPS-related Safe Kids program, Safe Kids Buckle Up, reviews and approves Senior Checker applications from www.safekidsweb.org. Applications are submitted online by the technician and approved by the Coalition Coordinator before final review within the SKBU department.

Senior checkers must update their profiles annually and update their SKBU profiles when they recertify (add new certification expiration date) to avoid a lapse in approval.

If you are interested in working with Safe Kids as a Senior Checker, please contact your local Safe Kids coalition or Alexis Kagiliery Lee with Safe Kids Buckle Up.

Isn’t the function/responsibility of being a senior checker, technician-proxy, or instructor signing off for car seat installations all the same? (Dec. 1, 2009)

There are important distinctions between each of these roles as a certified technician CPST) or instructor (CPSTI). These roles are unique and people that accept these responsibilities should be familiar with the associated documentation, the published policies and procedures and spirit of the national curriculum.

A Certified Instructor (CPSTI) is responsible for observing the interaction of a certified technician with parents and children for at least the 5 required seat checks for recertification.

The instructor should feel confident in the technician’s ability to communicate accurate information to a parent or caregiver and will double-check that the installation and paperwork are appropriate and correct.

To learn more about what the CPSTI is looking for at a seat check, go to www.safekids.org/certification --> Pre-Registration Requirements for Regular Re-certification  Instructor Verification of Seat Check Activity.

A technician-proxy is an option that allows a CPSTI to have a CPST be their eyes and ears for a seat check required for recertification. Like the CPSTI, the technician proxy should feel confident in the tech’s ability to communicate accurate information to a parent or caregiver and will double-check that the installation and paperwork are appropriate and correct. The proxy provides information to the certified instructor, who has the ultimate responsibility of verifying the seat check online. The tech doing the check would enter the name of the CPTSI in the online system.

To learn more about technician-proxy requirements please go to Policies and Procedures at www.safekids.org/certification --> Pre-Registration Requirements for Regular Re-certification  Technician Proxies

Senior checkers are not a component of the CPS certification program. The Senior Checker designation is under the Safe Kids Buckle Up Department. Senior Checkers must meet specific Buckle Up requirements, submit an application and a review and approval process on a local and nation level. A Senior Checker is a member of a local coalition or chapter and is the second pair of eyes at a registered and approved Safe Kids Buckle Up event or inspection station.

To learn more about SKBU Senior Checker requirements please contact your Safe Kids Coalition Coordinator. The Senior Checker criteria is located on the home page of www.safekidsweb.org.

I'm a certified technician. How do I get a copy of the most recent version of the manual? (rev. May 27, 2009)

Existing technicians can view or print content from the revised participant manual at www.cpsboard.org.

The 2008 Participant's Manual is available for $35 from the Safety Restraint Coalition, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. The price includes shipping to the contiguous 48 states. An order form is available at www.800bucklup.org. Please contact 425-828-8975 or e-mail office@800BUCKLUP.org for bulk orders, shipping costs for orders outside the continental U.S. or for more information. Proceeds will support Washington's child passenger safety programs.

Do you have an online store where I can buy CPS Tech merchandise? (Aug. 3, 2009)

There are a variety of CPS Tech and CPS Tech-Instructor items at www.SafeKidsWebinars.org. Click on PRODUCTS. In addition to shirts and other tech gear, you can find information on check up event signs and course training dolls.

Why isn't the Web site also available in Spanish? (rev. Aug. 24, 2007)

The national certification program was English-language with some Spanish-language components. This is supported by the current environment of the CPS field and the child safety seat manufacturing industry, where keeping abreast of current technologies requires basic English-language comprehension.

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

Porque la red del Internet acerca de la Seguridad del Niño Pasajero no esta disponible en Español? (agregado an Aug. 24, 2007)

El programa Nacional para ser un técnico certificado en la Seguridad del Niño Pasajero es en Ingles con algunos elementos en español. Este programa es apoyado por un grupo de personas involucradas en el campo de la Seguridad del Niño Pasajero y la industria manufacturera que mantiene al corriente los requisitos actuales de la tecnología pero en un Ingles básico.

Actualmente hay representantes disponibles que hablan español para responder a las preguntas y ayudar a los individuos en la navegación por la red del Internet. Sin embargo, todos los documentos oficiales escritos, incluyendo la correspondencia con los técnicos candidatos, los técnicos certificados y la red del Internet continuaran en Ingles.

Our agency has a new employee who claims he/she is a certified technician. How can I be sure? (January 4, 2008)

If someone claims to be a certified technician, ask them to provide you with a copy of their CPST wallet card. If they are unable to provide it, provide them with the toll-free customer service number (1-877-366-8154) so they can get their log-in information. Once they log in to the CPS online profile, they can easily print out their proof of certification.

Another option would be to look them up online at www.safekids.org /certification using the Find A Technician/Instructor search engine. Remember that the list only shows currently certified individuals that have agreed to have their information be made publicly available.

The burden of proof is on the employee, not on the agency. We strongly encourage technicians to review and update their personal profile regularly and offer any new employer proof of certification.

I am concerned about the skills demonstrated by another technician. What should I do? (Oct. 30, 2009)

Every tech has an obligation to work with fellow techs to help them identify areas of improvement. Simply deciding not to work with them again does not advance the field and may even put children at risk of injury.

Before doing anything, make sure it is not just a difference in the way you are speaking, but is actually technically incorrect. If another tech explains a locking clip in a different way but the clip ends up being used correctly, there is no technical issue. Look in your manual for verification.

Once you find the technical information in the manual, talk with the technician. This should always be done in the spirit of the Learn, Practice, Explain mantra, being sensitive to the issues at hand. Talk with the tech away from the caregiver and other techs and talk in a nonjudgmental manner. Express an interest in their skill and show them where the information is found in the manual.

If you attempt to work with the tech and they are resistant and continue to go against what is in the manual, work with the event coordinator, a local instructor or your State CPS Training contact to provide remediation. Should all efforts fail, you may submit an Appeals form to Safe Kids, available HERE (look at the bottom under Miscellaneous). Please include as much detail as possible and know that it will be shared in full with the tech mentioned in the appeal.

Having another tech double check your work before a caregiver leaves is best practice. It puts the child first. No matter how long someone has been a tech, they can still make a mistake or provide outdated information unknowingly.

My certification has expired. Can I still check car seats? (Feb, 26, 2010)

It is the position of Safe Kids Worldwide that only currently nationally certified CPS technicians provide the hands on education at a seat check. There are many options for non-certified individuals, such as helping to set up or take down a community car seat check up event, act as a scribe, promoting events, assisting with check up events behind scenes, such as setting up appointments and answering questions over the phone. If you will be working with caregivers at check up events, we strongly recommend you review the latest materials and take a Certification Renewal Course to again become a CPST.

Answers - Certification

What is the difference between a course reservation and a course registration? (Aug. 1, 2005)

A course reservation is a seat in the course is being held for you for a limited period of time. A course reservation does not guarantee you a seat in the course, as you must complete the registration process by submitting payment prior to the start of the course.

Course registration means that Safe Kids has received and processed your registration and payment. You have a guaranteed spot in the course.

It is not possible to reserve a seat for public courses. However, for controlled courses, you can only register after receiving approval from the lead instructor. As opposed to registering for a controlled course, you request a reservation. If approved, that reservation will hold your seat for 10 days or the first day of the course, whichever comes first. You must complete the registration process, by submitting payment, to secure you seat. If you do not complete registration within the 10 days of approval your reservation will time out. If this happens you need to speak to the lead instructor about re-approval.

I can't attend the course I registered for. What are my options? (Aug. 1, 2005)

If you have completed the registration process and can no longer attend the course, you have three options:

Reschedule/transfer your registration to another course

Substitute/transfer your registration to another eligible person

Cancel your registration and receive a refund

Detailed information about each of these options can be found in Certification-> Rescheduling, Substitutions and Cancellations.

How do I pay for my registration with a check or purchase order? (Aug. 1, 2005)

At this time, all payments with a check, purchase order or money order require that you submit a paper application with your payment. Applications MUST be printed off the web site. They will automatically include your contact and course information so all you will need to add is payment information.

Go to www.safekids.org/certification and click on ONLINE SERVICES.

Log in (sign up to create a new profile if you've never been certified or accessed the system before).

Under action items, click on REGISTER FOR A COURSE.

Search for available courses (you may want to check the invitation only box to include controlled courses in your search).

Choose a course from the results list to view the course details.

If the course is public, continue to step 6. For controlled courses, skip to step 11.

From the course detail page, click on REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE.

Confirm your information and click on COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS.

Click on PAY BY CHECK OR PURCHASE ORDER (PAPER APPLICATION).

NOTE: A registration form with the course and your information will appear in a new window, so be sure your browser allows pop-ups.

Print the personalized registration and include it with your payment.

NOTE: At this stage, your seat in the course is not guaranteed or reserved. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis once payment is received.

Send in your registration and payment promptly to hold your seat in the course.

NOTE: Check on your registration's processing by logging in and clicking on COURSE REGISTRATION HISTORY.

The following steps are only for controlled or "invitation only" courses and replace steps 6 - 10.

From the course details page, click on REQUEST INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL TO REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE.

Review your information and click on COMPLETE REGISTRATION REQUEST.

You will see the message: "You have made a request to register for this course. Once your request is processed, you will receive an email to let you know the outcome. It will also appear in your course registration history."

Check your e-mail and course registration history to see when you have been approved. This may take up to five days.

To view your course registration history, log in and click on VIEW COURSE REGISTRATION HISTORY. The registration status will be marked Registration-Request until it is approved. Once approved, it will be marked Reservation.

Once you have been approved:

From the registration history page, select the registration with the "reserved" status to view the course details and continue the registration process.

Note memo at top of the course details page: "This reservation does not guarantee a seat in the course. To confirm your seat, you must complete the registration by providing payment by XX/XX/200X or the first day of class."

To continue, click on PAY BY CHECK OR PURCHASE ORDER (PAPER APPLICATION).

NOTE: A registration form with the course and your information will appear in a new window, so be sure your browser allows pop-ups.

Print the personalized registration and include it with your payment.

NOTE: At this stage, your seat in the course is reserved for 10 days or the first day of the course, whichever is earlier. This date is noted at the top of the course information. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Send in your registration and payment promptly to hold your seat in the course.

NOTE: You can check on your registration's processing by logging in and clicking on COURSE REGISTRATION HISTORY. Once the lead instructor has responded to your reservation request, the status will be Reservation or Reservation-Denied. Once the payment has been processed, the status will be Registered.

Answers - Re-certification CEU

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Why don’t the number of seat checks done count toward recertification? (rev. May 9, 2008)

Allowing check up events were specifically discussed at length by members of the National CPS Board. They felt strongly that only structured on-going education should be included as CEUs. Because check-up events cannot be structured (ex: you may: only have 3 seat checks, only see booster seats, or only one brand, they do not count as CEU’s.

Assisting families in feeling competent and confident in their skills to install their children’s car seat or properly wear their seat belt is the desired outcome of a technician’s training and experience. This follows the Learn, Practice, Explain core of the course. Continuing education to keep the technician updated and current in a field of continuously changing technology is a must and needed to maintain this public trust. The parent or caregivers understanding and ability to follow the recommendations of a nationally certified technician are what are important not the number of seat checks the technician completes.

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 7/1/2005 – 6/30/2007 and the session was in November of 2006, it would qualify for credit under category #1. A session taken in June of 2005 would not qualify.

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.

What are some acceptable and unacceptable CPS CEU content? (Sept. 25, 2006)

Examples of content that would qualify:

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:

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)

Can I watch a video for CEUs? (Jan. 4, 2007)

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.

Form for pre-approval for CEUs

With the 2009 version of the LATCH manual out, can I submit each version (2007 and 2009) for one CEU each (2 total) towards a single recertification cycle?

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 2007 quiz for a certification cycle, you are welcome to submit 2009 quiz (or later) for your next certification cycle.

Can I work on my seat checks and get CEUs?

If you are working on your seat checks/sign offs, you can not also get credit for CEUs. If you need CEUs, the time must be used for practice only. No double dipping!

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Answers - Course Admin/Lead Instr

As lead instructor, what are my best sources of information on managing a certification or a renewal course?

The Policies and Procedures Manual and Certification Course Planning and Logistics Guide (available under Resources, and Renewal Course Instructor Manual (on your instructor CD) provide answers to most course-related questions.

I want to offer a course with just one instructor. Is that even a possibility?

All Policies and Procedures topics can be submitted for review using the Appeals form. One example of this would be to request permission to offer a course with just one instructor. The rationale for the 2-instructor requirement is to help ensure a quality course for the students. Safe Kids, NHTSA and the National CPS Board are in unanimous agreement that team teaching is beneficial for the learning experience of the students.

In our continuing effort to be more responsive to the needs of people living in, or serving, rural communities, (i.e. technician proxy) the following was developed by the CPS Board and approved by Safe Kids USA. Any Lead instructor requesting permission to provide a Certification or Certification Renewal course taught by a single Lead Instructor must submit an appeal with the following information:

Written confirmation from the State CPS Training contact that they approve the LI offering a course(s) alone

A brief explanation of how the LI has reached out to other instructors for assistance

The name of at least one Technician Assistant who will be helping out with the course behind the scenes (no teaching)

Agreement that the course will be limited to no more than 5 students

The # of courses requested (no more than 3 over a one year time limit)

How the LI will assist the new technicians in serving their communities once they are nationally CPS certified

As with all appeals, members of the National Child Passenger Safety Board and state CPS training contact may be consulted. Should this be the case, no identifying information will be provided to any member of the board or the CPS community.

An interested co-worker is curious and wants to audit a certification course. Can she just sit in or does everyone who attends the course have to be on the roster? (rev June 26, 2009)

Only registered students whose names appear on the official roster may attend a Certification course. Interested bystanders are not allowed to sit in or audit a course, even if they have no desire to become certified. Courses are open only to students who have registered, paid their fee and appear on the roster. This is in accordance with the National Child Passenger Safety Board policies and procedures: “The Lead Instructor is responsible for making sure the roster accurately reflects all students and instructor team, including Instructor Candidates, by the end of the first day of the course.”

Allowing a non-paying attendee to participate in the class increases the student to instructor ratio and takes instructor time away from paying students.

What is the pre-course Instructor meeting?

The Lead Instructor should have at least one conference call or meeting a couple of week before the course with the entire team (instructors, mentors, instructor candidates and tech course assistants) to make sure that everyone is prepared and understands their role. A full instructor meeting should take place at LEAST the day before the course and include all instructors and tech course assistants. At the meeting, the team should:

Confirm all instructors (including mentors and ICs) appear on the course profile

Go over the detailed agenda

Review the layout of the classroom

Plan/review all hands-on activities, test situations

Review general course administration

All members of the team should know what to expect and have a clear idea of the game plan for the entire course. All instructors on the teaching team need to be prepared to teach the whole course in case there is an emergency and they need to fill in. The team should also go over the various exam guidelines, discuss “what if” scenarios, and plan for a test reading room.

The team should help set up the room and familiarize themselves with the equipment computers, course materials and child restraints. Every person on the team should feel included and ready for the days ahead. A well-led and organized team will be ready to handle unexpected situations with flexibility and trust.

The pre-course instructor meeting is required.

How do I calculate instructor teaching hours? (rev March 30, 2010)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS >> CLICK HERE

Teaching hours are automatically tracked by the system when the Lead Instructor enters the teaching hours during the course finalization process. Individual instructors are not responsible for inputting their own teaching hours.

Teaching hours are based on the number of hours of lecture and participation in hands-on skills exercises and skills testing. Just being in the classroom does not qualify for teaching hours except in the case of the Lead Instructor or Mentor as detailed in the Admin/Lead Instr: After the Course section. You do not need to round to the nearest whole hour.

Calculation of instructor teaching hours:

Example 1: You were an instructor with no lecture time, but participated in eight hours of hands-on work. You earned eight teaching hours.

Example 2: You were an instructor with five hours of lecture and 10 hours of hands-on work (includes 3 hours working with students at the check up). You earned 15 teaching hours.

At the end of the course, the Lead Instructor must enter in teaching hours for each member of the instructor team. As this can be time consuming, the LI should consider calculating them after every day of class.

As Safe Kids Worldwide is not able to make changes to teaching hours, the LI should be very sure of their calculations before entering them into the online system. The LI might choose to verify with the team the number of hours prior to submitting them. This avoids surprises and ensures accuracy. Once they are submitted, they are applied to each CPSTI's online profile.

What counts for teaching hours?

Teaching a chapter

Co-teaching a chapter (both are active lecturers)

Leading a classroom exercise

Participating in an outside activity/skills test

Actual time at check up event (while students are checking seats) - e.g. 12 noon to 3 pm

What does not count for teaching hours?

Back up for a colleague (following along in the book, etc.

Adding a comment to the teaching instructor's presentation

Proctoring the written tests

Setting up a classroom activity

Setting up an outside activity

Setting up the check up event

Breaking down check up event

At the end of class, what do I do with the extra manuals? (rev April 20, 2010)

To save on shipping costs, keep them for future Certification or Certification Renewal courses. When you add a new course, there is a field where you enter the number of manuals you need for that course so you can request only what you need. EX: If you have 15 seats in a course and have 10 manuals, request only 5 manuals.

What happens if a student can’t do the actual installations due to a physical restriction?

Should any student require assistance with the physical requirements of the course, the instructor team will accommodate the student by assigning an instructor to install seats following the student’s specific instruction in each step of the selection, direction, and location process.

What can I do if a student doesn’t show up to the check up event and I find out from another student that there was a family emergency. As lead instructor, what is can you do?

If the team agrees, contact the student and make arrangements for the student to complete another check up event (of fitting station) that is scheduled within 2 weeks and supervised by a member of the instructor team. If they can’t meet that requirement, of if the team chooses not to provide a later event, provide the Fee Refund Form (available under Resources, then Forms). Additional details in the Check Up Event Guidelines (available under on your instructor CD).

When do course letters, with the student grades and log information, get mailed?

Course letters are generated and mailed when all the student scores are entered and the course status is “Finalized.”

Answers - Instructor Candidacy

What are the deadlines to be an Instructor Candidate and complete the process?

Once the application fee of $75 is paid, the applicant has 6 months to submit a complete application. A complete application includes having been a course assistant and both skills and classroom teaching testimonials.

There is no reason why someone must wait until after paying to get their course assistant experience.

Once the paperwork is complete and they are officially an IC, they have 1 year to complete their candidacy by successfully teaching a course (with mentor).

What is the Course Assistant Requirement?

Applicants must have participated as course assistant for at least one certification course. This means, he/she participated in the planning meeting, setting up the classroom, classroom and outdoor exercises, and otherwise observed all aspects of the course, including various teaching styles. CPST does not lecture, grade or sign off skills tests.

Successfully completing the requirement is included in the CPSTI Testimonial in the Required Documentation (application).

Answers - Organization Management

Why should I register my organization with the new Safe Kids organization management system? (Dec. 15, 2005)

Registering your organization allows you to:

Better track affiliates certifications

Allow your affiliates to pay for courses, re-certification or instructor candidacy online using your organization's POs and/or e-voucher

Register your affiliates for courses and manage those registrations (e.g. reschedule, cancel, substitute)

How can I register my organization? (Dec. 15, 2005)

Click on ONLINE SERVICES in the navigation bar above
Click on ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT NOTE: The background color will be peach when you are in the organization management system.
Choose REGISTER YOUR AGENCY

NOTE: Each agency can have only one contact. This will be the point person for the agency and is responsible for adding POs, reviewing charges, and paying the invoice. You will be notified via email of your organization's log in information.

NOTE: Once your organization is registered, you will have several of Action Items available.

Do I have to be CPS certified to use the organization management system? (Dec. 15, 2005)

No. Anyone is able to register their organization with Safe Kids. In many instances, this will be the administrative or accounting contact person for your agency. This person, referred to as the organization manager, will be responsible for registering the organization with Safe Kids and managing online payments by purchase order or e-voucher. Through the Web site, the organization manager will also be able to track affiiliates' certifications, reschedule registrations and handle substitutions. Responsible for accounting and affiliate management, the organization manager does not provide CPS training or education unless they are currently CPS certified.

Why can't I use the same login information for both the certification and organization management systems? (Dec. 15, 2005)

This system operated independently from the certification system. The link between them is made when someone in the certification system selects your organization as "Affiliated-To".

How soon after I register my organization may purchase orders be added and used online? (Dec. 15, 2005)

Once your organization registers with Safe Kids, you will be able to add purchase orders immediately. As soon as the required information is entered, the PO will be available for use. You may provide the purchase order number to your affiliates for them to use online.

What is an e-voucher and how soon after I register my organization can it be used? (Dec. 15, 2005)

An e-voucher is basically a line of credit from Safe Kids Worldwide. Once an e-voucher application is submitted by the organization manager, it will be reviewed and responded to within three business days.

Once approved and assigned a number, it can used for online payment, using the EV#. The system will automatically check for availability of funds. EV's are billed monthly.

What is an affiliate? (Dec. 15, 2005)

Affiliates are members of an organization who allow that organization manager to view their contact and certification information. Affiliates are able to pay their fees online with this organization's purchase orders or e-vouchers if these numbers are provided to them by the organization manager.

Answers - Online Services

What is an SK ID? (Aug. 1, 2005)

Your SK ID is your unique identifier we use for the certification system. Because it's possible to have both a technician and instructor ID (although only one is active at any given time), we need a number that uniquely identifies you.

For new users, this number is also to be used as your username for logging into the system.

How can I change my password? (rev. Oct. 14, 2009)

In addition to having a "Forgot my Password" link at the log in screen (enter you name and email as they arein the system and the system will email your log in and password to you), you can change your password as often as you like through your online profile.

To access your profile, click on Log In/Online Services and log in. Choose CHANGE PASSWORD from the list of action items. Edit as desired and click SUBMIT.

How can I change what appears when I show up in the technician/instructor search? (Aug. 1, 2005)

If you agreed to have your information included in the public search, you can choose what you want displayed by changing the Posted Address section of your online profile. The only exceptions to this are your name and language proficiencies, which will be automatically displayed upon permission to post.

To access your profile, click on Online Services and log in. Choose UPDATE PROFILE AND CONTACT INFORMATION from the list of action items. Edit the "Posted Address" section as desired and click SUBMIT at the bottom of the page.

If you do not want any information to be available in the public search, be sure to uncheck the "permission to post" checkbox and click SUBMIT.

How can I change what appears when I show up in the technician/instructor search? (Dec. 15, 2005)

With identity theft an ever-increasing issue, it is our policy to ask questions to determine the identity of any caller. This is a standard practice for username/password retrieval over the phone and is done to protect your identity. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.