Technician Training and Resources
National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program
The National Child Passenger Safety certification training program is a partnership between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Child Passenger Safety Board and Safe Kids Worldwide.
Training Program Goals
- Certify you as a CPS Technician.
- Provide you with the opportunity to apply basic technical skills and knowledge to the correct installation and use of car seats, booster seats and seat belts.
- Equip you to educate caregivers in the proper selection, installation and use of car seats and booster seats, and when to move to seat belts once booster seats are outgrown.
- Enable you to be a resource in your community.
Training Program Completion Requirements
- Attend the entire four day training. No exceptions.
- Participate in class discussions and practice activities.
- Pass three written exams, with a total score of 42/50 correct.
- Pass three skill assessments.
- Participate in the end-of-class car seat checkup event.
Certification Fee
Your certification fee of $95 is paid for through generous funding provided by the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau. In the event you do not pass the course, any future course registration fees will be your responsibility. An expired CPS Technician wishing to retake the certification course is also responsible for their own $95 certification fee.
How to Register for a Course in Iowa
The state of Iowa's Child Passenger Safety Program hosts a minimum of four (4) CPS Certification Courses each fiscal year. Our program follows a strategic process for sending course invitations and it may take several months to receive a course invite. Please understand; we put in a substantial amount of resources including time, money and work force to facilitate CPS courses in Iowa. If you and/or your employer cannot commit to the training and certification requirements, please do not proceed.
- Complete the Interest List Form. Completing this form will not register you for a training. After submitting your Interest List Form, your name is placed on the interest list, and you will receive an e-mail notification when you are eligible for a seat in an upcoming training.
Additional Important Information
With funding being provided by the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau, candidates are asked to post their contact information on the NHTSA website so that they may be a resource for those in their communities. The candidate should post the address and phone number of where they wish to be contacted. This step will be completed during your certification course.
An interested individual's name will be removed from the interest list after receiving four class invitations and no attempt at course registration.
Questions should be directed to the State CPS Coordinator, Riley Maher, at (515) 241-3262 or Riley.Maher@unitypoint.org.
Child Passenger Safety Technician Course Interest Form
By completing this form, you are indicating your interest in being notified of upcoming Child Passenger Safety Technician courses offered in the state of Iowa. Your information will automatically be sent to the Iowa Child Passenger Safety Coordinator and you will be placed on the mailing list.
It's imperative to seek approval and understanding from your appropriate management personnel regarding the commitment required to attend the course, become certified and recertify as necessary.
CPS Technician Recertification
Please don't risk your CPST certification; we want to keep you on our Iowa CPST team! You can re-certify up to four months prior to your expiration date. Requirements are listed below and more information can be found on the Safe Kids Worldwide - National Child Passenger Safety Certification website.
Basic Recertification Requirements
Five seat checks approved by a certified instructor. Mock scenarios are not allowed. These may be done at any time during your two year certification cycle as long as they are entered online and approved by an instructor prior to your expiration date.
- Rear-facing Infant Seat
- Rear-facing Convertible Seat
- Forward-facing Child Safety Seat with Harness
- Belt Positioning Booster Seat
- LATCH Installation
Choose one community education activity:
- Participate in at least one two-hour check-up event, with at least one other CPS Technician, where you serve families using any standardized checklist to provide documentation, if needed.
- Provide at least four hours of community education. Examples include presenting to parents, educators, kids, organizations (PTAs, law enforcement) or other stakeholders who are not technicians.
A minimum of six hours of CPS technical continuing education units must be earned and reported during a current certification cycle (two years). You cannot "carry over" CEUs from one period to the next, even if you have accumulated more CEUs than are required. CEUs may be entered at any time during your two year certification cycle. They must fit into one of the five approved categories and meet content requirements.
Categories of CEUs:
- In-person session/workshop attendee (max 6 CEUs)
- Observe a CPS Certification or Renewal Course (max 3 CEUs)
- Teleconferences (max 5 CEUs)
- Online/Web Sessions (max 5 CEUs)
- Newsletters/Manuals/Journals (max 3 CEUs)
You may mix and match categories to meet the six required hours of continuing education.
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Special Needs Transportation
The Statewide Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Program, located at Blank Children's Hospital, is generously funded by the Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau. In Iowa, approximately 50 Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians have received additional education on Special Needs Transportation and safe travel for all children.
Our program offers:
- Access to resources, including navigating the insurance process.
- Current, accurate information on safe travel.
- Assistance with proper use and installation of car seats.
- A respectful, open-minded and non-judgmental environment.
We provide services, education and information to parents/guardians/caregivers, social services, physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation therapists and healthcare providers.
Contact Us
Jessica LaCroix – Iowa Special Needs Child Passenger Safety Coordinator
Blank Children's Hospital
1200 Pleasant Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
(515) 241-6293
Jessica.Lacroix@unitypoint.org
Additional Resource
Des Moines Fit Station CPS Technician Sign-Up
The Fit Station is located at Bob Brown Chevrolet, 3600 111th Street, Urbandale, on the first Thursday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. (with the potential for you to have to be there until 7:30 p.m.)
To sign-up, complete the form below and select the date(s) you would like to staff. Thanks for volunteering to help protect and save the lives of Iowa children!
Note:
- If you need an instructor to be present for your recertification purposes, please let us know. We do our best to make sure at least one instructor is present; however, there is no guarantee.
- If you are unable to fulfill your commitment to the Fit Station for whatever reason, please contact Katy Sowden at (515) 241-8950.
- We reserve the right to cancel the Fit Station due to lack of staff or inclement weather. Technicians who are signed up will be notified of any cancellation.