About NSCPSTP

The National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program teaches individuals the technical and instructional skills needed to serve as child passenger safety resources for their organizations, communities or states. Those who successfully complete the course, including participation in a supervised child passenger safety clinic, may be eligible for national certification as Child Passenger Safety Technicians. For more about certification, See the fact sheet.

The NSCPSTP course is 32 hours long. It provides instruction in crash dynamics, injury prevention strategies and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The course, generally held over four days, is taught through a combination of lectures, discussion, role-playing and hands-on practice with a variety of child restraint and vehicle belt systems. Students must be prepared for substantial physical activity during the installation of child safety seats.

To maintain the highest quality of training possible and help ensure that all CPS Technicians are trained according to the standardized curriculum, only certified CPS Instructors and officially approved instructor candidates are allowed to teach the NSCPSTP course.

Certification

To be certified, students must pass both written and hands-on skills tests. An additional requirement for successful completion of the NSCPSTP course is active participation in a “real world” CPS clinic, where students demonstrate proper use and installation of child restraints and safety belts and then teach these skills to parents.

NSCPSTP certification is valid for practice in the United States and on U.S. installations only.

Testing

The written and hands-on skills tests both take place during the NSCPSTP course. Instructors award a pass/fail grade at the conclusion of the hands-on skills test. The final grading of written examinations is performed by SAFE KIDS. The passing score is 85 percent correct.

SAFE KIDS is committed to providing exam results to Technician Candidates as soon as possible. Therefore, it is very important for Lead Instructors to carry out all administrative responsibilities within two business days of course completion. SAFE KIDS will post exam results in each candidate’s profile within 15 days of receipt of the testing materials. Newly certified technicians can print their exam scores and use them as interim proof of certification until they receive official notification. SAFE KIDS will mail official notification letters and wallet ID cards directly to newly certified technicians.

Failure to Qualify for Certification

Students who do not pass the written and hands-on skills tests will also be notified by mail.

Students who pass the hands-on skills test but fail the written exam can retake the written exam once at no extra charge. SAFE KIDS will notify both the Lead Instructor and the student that the student needs to retake the written exam. Although it is the responsibility of the student to schedule the retake exam with the Lead Instructor, the Lead Instructor is also encouraged to contact the student. If the original Lead Instructor cannot proctor the re-exam, the student may use the online system to search for other instructors in the area and then request proctoring from one of them.

Instructors who serve as proctors for retake exams must call Customer Service at 877-366-8154 to request the retake materials. All retake exams must be completed and received by SAFE KIDS within 90 days of notification of test failure.

If the student fails the retest, he or she will not be certified unless the entire course is repeated, including the written and hands-on skills tests. Also, a student who does not retake the exam within 90 days of notification of test failure must repeat the entire course to be certified. No refund will be provided, since all processing and course materials have been delivered. The student must register for any subsequent course and pay the full National Program Fee again.

Students who do not pass the hands-on skills assessment will be notified during the NSCPSTP course. They may schedule up to two retakes of the skills assessment with the Lead Instructor. Students who do not pass the hands-on skills assessment after three tries must retake the entire NSCPSTP course, including the written and hands-on skills tests.

Students who must retake the entire NSCPSTP course should access their online profiles and register for new courses using their existing confirmation IDs and passwords.

Challenges, complaints and appeals

Students may file written complaints about an instructor, the administration of the certifying exam or the hands-on assessment process. The complaint should identify the problem area and provide specific details and background information to support their concerns.

All complaints and appeals must include clear supporting documentation and be postmarked within seven days of test administration or the incident that is being addressed.

SAFE KIDS will investigate and respond in writing to all complaints and appeals in as timely a manner as possible.
Certification Denial and Revocation
Certification may be denied or revoked for any of the following reasons:

Candidates whose certifications are denied or revoked can complete the Appeal Form. There is no appeal based on failure to pass examinations or failure to re-certify.