Keep this information for future reference.

• What is a CEU?
• General Rules and Auditing
• Category 1 - In-person Sessions/Workshops
• Category 2 - Observing a CPS Certification or Renewal Course
• Category 3 - Teleconferences
• Category 4 - Online/Web sessions
• Category 5 -  Newsletters/Manuals/Journals
• Appeals
• System Down
• Recertification Featured FAQs
• Can a workshop I attended last year count?
• What if the CPS technical session I attend is only 50 minutes?
• Why don’t check up events count toward CEUs?
• Contact Us

Click here to view/download document with this information.

Click here to view/download a personal re-certification log.

Which do you prefer: Online Test or CEUs? Take a very short survey.

CEU = Continuing Education Units

Categories of CEUs - six hours needed for CPS re-certification
#1. In-person Session/Workshop (max 6 CEUs)
#2. Observing a CPS Certification or Renewal Course (max 3 CEUs)
#3. Teleconferences (max 5 CEUs)
#4. Online/Web sessions (max 5 CEUs)
#5. Newsletters/Manuals/Journals (max 3 CEUs)

You may mix and match categories to meet the six required hours of continuing education.

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.  Examples are provided in FAQs. 

If you have questions about content for category #1, session/event providers may submit a request for CPS CEU pre-approval. 

General Rules

1. Generally, one hour of technical contact time counts for 1 CEU, with a few specific exceptions detailed below.
   • Example #1: Attend a 60 minute manufacturer workshop = 1 CEU
• Example #2: Attend a 4 hour technical update =  4 CEUs
• Example #3: Attend Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs course for 16 hours = 6 CEUs (maximum allowed)
2. Non-content time (such as lunch breaks or driving to events or logging in but still waiting for a teleconference to start) does not count as CEU time
3. Sitting in on CPS certification or renewal classes, is an exception, and may be used for a maximum of 3 hours; every hour of classroom auditing may apply 1/2 CEU toward certification.  
4. Non-technical or already familiar material (see acceptable/unacceptable and FAQ lists) does not count for CEU time even if it is generally useful or is helpful to improve CPS operations.  Direct CPS service (check up events) do not qualify for continuing education as it is already required in other re-certification areas.  

1. CEU completion is reported in the re-certification registration process as a single check-off.  Unlike the five required seat checks, CEUs are not verified online. 
2. CEUs are self-certified.  You are responsible for your certification like manufacturers are responsible for crash testing. CPSTs are required to keep personal written proof of the types and content of their CEU achievements. 
3. A random sample of completed re-certifications will be audited.  Each category has specific written documentation requirements.  
4. The purpose of the audit is to verify existence of documentation of CEUs being completed and in accordance with policies and procedures of the certifying body. 
5. CEU documentation is to be kept during the certification cycle and for at least three months after re-certification is completed.   
6. Keeping CEU documentation longer is strongly recommended for your future  reference, but is not required.
7. Safe Kids Worldwide will not return audited materials. SKW will share audit conclusions rather than raw material with states overseeing CPSTs in the field.
8. Revocation:  CPS certification will be revoked (status changes to expired) if you fail to provide the required documentation within the specified time as detailed in the audit notification, if any documentation is falsified, or if the CEUs do not meet content or category requirements.
• Examples of inappropriate content: red light running, adult occupant protection, seat belt/car seat enforcement, drunk driving
• Examples of inappropriate category: Check up event, original certification course

1. Maximum allowable hours: 6
2. Description:  You must attend a structured presentation/session that meets content requirements during the certification cycle.  You are encouraged to get your information from more than one person or source.  
   • Event examples: Must meet content requirements
• Local, regional or state CPS meetings
• A CPST attends a national meeting and then provides a formal update locally to CPSTs.  
• “CPS on School Buses” course (NHTSA)
• “Safe Travel for All Children: Transporting Children with Special Health Care Needs” (Automotive Safety Program at Riley Hospital for Children, http://www.preventinjury.org/)
• For this significantly advanced course, CPSTs may submit CEUs for this course taken 3 years prior to their certification expiration date, extending beyond the usual 2 years. One time only.  \
• National conference sessions discussing technical CPS skills (ex: Lifesavers, American Academy of Pediatrics, etc.)
• Because the following courses do not contain more information than is in the basic CPS certification course, they do not qualify for CPS CEUs:  Op-Kids LE, Op-Kids RN, Safe Native American Passengers, Moving Kids Safely in Childcare.  This will be reconsidered after they are updated.  
• You may not include your original certification course
• Check up events, while valuable, do not qualify for CEUs. They do not qualify for continuing education as it is already required in other re-certification areas. 
3. CPS Certified presenters at local, state or national meetings may apply 1.5 hours for every hour developed and taught.
   • Maximum allowable hours: 3
   • The audience for these sessions must be primarily CPSTs (not the general public), necessitating that the CPST conduct research to obtain the latest information.  
   • You may count each session once.  For example, if you provide three sessions of the same workshop, it only counts one time, even if they are offered at different venues/locations.
   • Members of the CPS course instructor team may not include the course for CEUs.  Teaching hours are required as part of your re-certification.  Watching other instructors while on the team is part of the general course instructor experience.
   • CONTENT ALERT:  If a certified presenter provides information contrary to best practice or based on rumors, they may be brought up for certification appeal.
4. Audit requirements
   • Event information (one required)
     • Copy of meeting/conference agendas
        Must include the session title, date and time
     • Printed copy of presentation
     • Copy of the session description from the official conference program.  The  sessions that you attended must be clearly marked
• Proof of attendance (one required)
  • Certificate with topic, date and times
    Personal letter/email from event provider
  • Copy of sign in sheet with your name circled.  Must include the session title, date and time.
  • Proof of conference registration (example: receipt)
  • Memo confirming conference attendance from supervisor (pre-2007 events only) 
  • Proof of travel to and from event  (pre-2007 events only)
    NOTE: Name badges will not be accepted

1. Maximum allowable hours: 3
2. Description: Technicians may sit in and observe a national Certification or Certification Renewal Course for a maximum of 3 CEU hours.  Every hour of classroom auditing (outside skills work does not count; classroom time only) may apply ? CEU towards re-certification. 
   • The minimum number of hours sitting in is two since ? credits may not be included or combined with other CEU categories.
     • Three CEU options:
• Example #1: You sit in on 2 or 3 hours of a course.  You could submit 1 hour of CEUs for re-certification.
• Example #2: You sit in on 4 or 5 hours of a course.  You could submit 2 hours of CEUs towards re-certification.
• Example #3: You sit in on 6 or more hours of a course.  You could submit 3 hours of CEUs for re-certification, the maximum allowed for sitting in on a course.
3. Members of the course instructor team may not include the course for CEUs.  Teaching hours are required as part of your re-certification.  Watching other instructors while on the team is part of the general course instructor experience.
4. Instructors who have not yet taught a specific type of course (such as the new certification course) may sit in on that course for CEUs.  
5. Requirements: You must get approval to sit in from the lead instructor for the course.  No materials will be provided.  There is no national course fee but local fees may be required.
6. Audit requirements (both required)
   • Certification or Certification Renewal Course ID#
   • Personalized letter/email from the lead instructor confirming specific dates and times of attendance

1. Maximum allowable hours: 5
2. Description
   • A teleconference is a call with a moderator and many callers.  Participants call into a designated number to listen in on the call.  Depending on the format established by the moderator, it may be listen-only or allow interaction by participants.
   • Teleconference calls that meet content requirements for CEUs may be applied towards re-certification.  To qualify for CEUs, there must be a formal agenda published in advance.  Call notes and confirmation of attendance must be provided to attendees.
     • Examples of attendance confirmation are:
       • Roll call
       • Automated call tracking (system records call in number and facilitator matches call in numbers to CPST)
       • Participants are given a special code at some point during the call and have a specified amount of time to contact the facilitator (such as “Please email (fax) the call code SAFE6742 to the facilitator no later than 5 pm tomorrow to be added to the official call roster.  You must be on the official call roster to use this call for re-certification CEUs.”)
3. Audit requirements
   • Event information (one required)
     • Agenda with dates, times and objectives
     • Official call minutes or notes provided by moderator/sponsor 
• Proof of attendance (one required)
  • Certificate with topic, date and times
  • Personalized letter/email from the lead instructor confirming specific dates and times of attendance.
  • Official call minutes or notes provided by moderator/sponsor with list of attendees

1. Maximum allowable hours: 5
2. Description: Interactive Web update or online course that meets content requirements for CEUs.
3. Audit requirements
• Event information (one required)
  • Copy of event agenda/outline/objectives
    Must include the session title, presenter name, date and time
  • Printed copy of presentation
  • Copy of the event description from the official event provider 
• Proof of attendance (one required)
• Certificate with topic, date and times
• Personal letter/email from event provider
• Print out of completion confirmation page.  Must include the session title, date and time

1. Maximum allowable hours: 3
2. Description: Eligible newsletters must have national circulation with primarily CPS technical content geared towards CPSTs.  They must be peer-reviewed (e.g. review committee) and approved by the certifying body.
3. Examples: Tech Update, Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics, STAPP

Details under review

Challenges, Complaints and Appeals

CONTENT ALERT:  If a CPS-certified presenter provides information contrary to best practice or based on rumors, they may be brought up for certification appeal.

Although you may file a written complaint about inclusion of a CEU(s), Safe Kids will not accept appeals based on missed deadlines.

All complaints and appeals must include clear supporting documentation and be postmarked within 30 days of notification of audit findings.  Please complete and use the appeals form, available in Resources->Forms as a cover sheet for your submission.

Safe Kids will investigate and respond in writing to all complaints and appeals in as timely a manner as possible.

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

All decisions by Safe Kids are final and may not be brought up for another appeal.

Due to the programming requirements of moving to a new process, users will not be able to access or enter re-certification information in January. 

In December, all technicians with an expiration date in January or February will automatically get a one month extension.  Examples:

• If my expiration date is 1/13/2007, it will be automatically changed to 2/13/2007. 
• If my expiration date is 2/25/2007, it will be automatically changed to 3/25/2007. 

These technicians remain eligible for the one-page extension request.

We appreciate your understanding as we transition to the new system.

Please plan accordingly.

Can a workshop I attended last year count?
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 the CPS technical session I attend is only 50 minutes?
A 45 or 50-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.

Why don’t check up events count toward CEUs?
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.  There are other items, including the 5 seat checks and working one event, that are in the recertification requirements. 

Other FAQs are posted on the Web site. 

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

Safe Kids Worldwide
CPS Certification
1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004

Phone: 877-366-8154 (toll free)
Fax: 202-393-2072
cps.certification@safekids.org