NOTE: As of October 1, 2009, the CPST/IC re-certification fee is $50.

CLICK HERE for the CPST Code of Conduct

Regular Re-certification

Description

The certification cycle for both technicians and instructors is two years. In order to retain your certification, you must meet all of the requirements for and successfully complete the re-certification process.

There are two general steps to successful re-certification:

1. Meet all pre-registration requirements, including:
   
   
1. Verified seat check activity (5 types)
2. Community event (one check up or community workshop)
3. Continuing education (6 hours)
4. If CPSTI, teaching hours (20)
   
   
2. Register and pay for re-certification (this may be done up to four months prior to your certification cycle end date)
   

The re-certification fee is $50 for technicians and instructor candidates and $60 for instructors. If a certified individual is selected for audit and does not pass, no refund will be provided. A detailed fee table is available in Resources->Fees.

PLEASE NOTE: The re-certification process cannot be completed in a single day. Be sure to enter your seat checks, CEUs and Community Event as they are completed.

Eligibility

Technicians and Instructor Candidates

1. Have a current certification
2. Have a minimum of one of each of the five required seat checks logged in the system and verified by a certified instructor
3. Community event (one check up or community workshop) logged in the system
4. Continuing education logged in the system (6 hours)

Instructors

1. Meet eligibility requirement of technicians and instructor candidates
2. Have a minimum of 20 teaching hours logged in the system, at least 10 of which are from teaching the certification course. The additional hours may involve mentoring, teaching the Certification Renewal course or a combination of both.

Re-certification Reminders

There are two different types of reminders sent out. However, it is your responsibility to make sure that your contact information is accurate so that you receive the reminders.

1. A personalized letter with username and password information will be sent to you approximately 8 weeks before your current certification expiration date.
   
   
2. A personalized email with username and password information will be sent to you approximately 8 weeks before your current certification expiration date.

In addition, there are constant reminders in the CPS Express!

Grace Period and Re-certification Deadline

There is NO GRACE PERIOD for re-certification after your certification expires.

In order to remain eligible for re-certification, you must meet all pre-registration requirements prior to your current certification expiration date.

If you fail to meet these requirements on time, you are no longer eligible for regular re-certification. However, you will be eligible to take the Certification Renewal course, if available.

Failure to Re-certify

You will fail to qualify for regular re-certification if one of the following occurs:

1. You do not successfully meet all pre-registration requirements
2. You do not register (pay) for re-certification prior to your current certification expiration date
3. You do not pass a re-certification audit

If any of the above occurs, you have two options:

1. Register for and take the one-day Certification Renewal course, if available
2. Repeat the Certification course - Recommended for anyone who does not pass the Renewal Course.

PLEASE NOTE: No refunds will be provided, as all processes have taken place. You may register for any subsequent course and pay all associated fees.

PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of the option chosen, instructors who fail to re-certify and wish to become instructors again are required to certify as technicians, apply for instructor candidacy, meeting all eligibility requirements, and successfully complete the candidacy process.

Late Re-certification

While Safe Kids cannot waive re-certification fees for anyone, we do consider active, non-domestic military duty a reasonable excuse for late re-certification.

If you were currently certified at the time of your assignment to overseas duty and provide official documentation of the assignment and its duration, Safe Kids will consider allowing you to re-certify without penalty.

You must contact us within three months after your return to the United States, provide required documentation and complete the re-certification process in a timely manner.

Certification Renewal Course

Technicians whose certifications have expired are eligible to take the 8-hour Certification Renewal Course.

This $75 class is designed to renew the certification for expired technicians who, again, wish to become nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs). After successfully completing this class, students will be re-certified and be able to provide both individual and group CPS education. Teaching strategies include lecture, skills testing, and a written test.

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.