Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPS techs)
So what is a CPS tech? Child Passenger Safety technicians have taken the Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program designed by NHTSA. The curriculum in the class was established by the National Child Passenger Safety Board.
People who want to become cps techs must take this 32 hour class, participate in a car seat checkup event, and pass written and performance evaluations. Certification must be renewed once a year.
In addition, most cps techs attend refresher classes, subscribe to Safe Ride News, participate in on-going car seat clinics and fitting stations, receive the CPS listserv, attend national conferences such as JPMA or Lifesavers, or in other ways keep current with the latest advances in child passenger safety. Completion of the 4 day class is really just the beginning of the learning needed to be an effective cps tech.
Some techs do additional work to become certified Instructors, able to teach the 4 day class. Some states also offer 1 or 2 day certifications at the state level. For example, Minnesota has a 2 day state certification of "practitioner". People with this certification may do cps activities under the supervision of a nationally certified cps tech.
To find a CPS class near you, or to find a local CPS tech, visit the National CPS Certification website.