FAQS for Becoming a Tech
- Who do I contact for help?
- Is there a minimum age to be a CPST?
- What is the difference between a course reservation and a course registration?
- I can't attend the course I registered for. What are my options?
- How can I pay my fee?
- What if I am not a great reader or English is not my first language?
- What if there is not a course near me?
1. Who do I contact for help?
You should contact customer service for help with registering or finding a class. For help regarding the CPS Program or this web site, please contact [email protected]. Detailed contact information is on our Contact Us page.
2. Is there a minimum age to be a CPST?
The minimum age requirement for CPS certification is 18 at the time the course starts. Age 18 is the national age of majority; 18-year-olds are legally accountable for actions and are likely to have experience as a driver. Any individual who is under the age of 18 and attends a course will not be certified, and any certification granted under false pretenses will be immediately revoked. No refunds will be issued. Individuals under 18 will be eligible to take the course again when they are at least 18 years of age. Upon successfully completing all requirements, they will be certified.
Already certified? Any currently certified technicians who are less than 18 years of age, and who maintain their certification, will not be affected. The minimum age applies only to new candidates.
Other activities: People under 18 are encouraged to support local CPS activities in other ways, including:
- Helping to set up or take down a community car seat checkup event
- Acting as a scribe
- Babysitting
- Promoting events
- Helping with mailings
- Confirming appointments
- Assisting in the course behind the scenes, such as setting up lunch or refreshments
- Taking an awareness course and answering questions at an exhibit table
Any person who wishes to become certified who will not be 18 years of age when the course starts may submit a written request using the standard Appeals Cover Page on our Web site under Resources-FAQs/Forms.
3. What is the difference between a course reservation and a course registration?
A course reservation is a seat in the course that 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 your 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.
4. I can't attend the course I registered for. What are my options?
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 under Become A Tech/Can't Attend A Course.
5. How can I pay my fee?
All program fees may be paid online by credit card. If you are an official "affiliate" with an organization they can provide you with an e-purchase order (EPO) or e-voucher number.
Applications are printed during the payment selection process. They will automatically include your contact and course information so all you will need to add is payment information. Print the application and mail it in with a check or money order. You can mail or fax in the application for with the purchase order (PO). Be sure the PO includes your name/SKID and course number, if applicable.Contact CPS Customer Service with any questions about how to pay or to confirm your faxed application and PO were received.
6. What if I am not a great reader or English is not my first language?
This is a national certification course that includes three standardized quizzes which cannot be modified. The quizzes must be completed successfully with a cumulative score of 42 out of 50 or higher. During any quiz, a term not related to technical content can be defined by an instructor to help you understand the question, but this will not be done in a way that would indicate the correct answer.
Just like parents and children learn differently, so do we as adult students. We recognize that some people respond better to written questions while others respond better to being asked the questions out loud. If you prefer to be asked the questions and you let us know before any quiz, the instructor team will accommodate that. An instructor will read the question and you will also have a copy of the written exam in front of you. You will still need to fill in the answer on your answer sheet.
Again, you can let us know at any time before any quiz if you prefer to be asked the questions.
7. What if there is not a course near me?
We are so glad you are interested in becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST)! You've read about it at http://cert.safekids.org under the BECOME A TECH tab and searched for available courses using FIND A COURSE but there isn't one scheduled near you. Courses are added regularly by Instructors as they are able to secure local support so check back again. You can also sign up for email alerts to be notified when a course is added in your state. Just click on the link at the top of the FIND A COURSE.