Resources for Child Passenger Safety Technicians

Technician / Instructor Map by County

Download the Map of Texas Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Instructors by County shown above (PDF).

Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians and instructors share an important responsibility to advocate for the safe transportation of children in vehicles. Technicians educate parents, caregivers, and community stakeholders about child passenger safety to help prevent unintentional motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths.

Safe Riders Hosts Virtual Webinars

Safe Riders is hosting a webinar series for Texas certified child passenger safety (CPS) technicians. CPS technicians can receive continuing education unit (CEU) for recertification by attending. The virtual events will include a Q&A session following the training. Safe Riders staff will be available to provide guidance on how to submit CEUs. Safe Riders hosts these events each month.  

There are no virtual webinars currently scheduled. If you want to attend a virtual session, please email saferiders@dshs.texas.gov.

These classes are continuing education courses for CPS technicians to obtain CEU credit and are not for the general public.

Live Certification Training

Steps to Technician and Instructor Recertification

The certification cycle for each technician and instructor is two years. The technician and instructor are responsible for completing all recertification requirements during the two-year cycle through their CPS Online Profile

Meet the following requirements and record the activities in your online profile:

1. Conduct all five different types of seat checks.
   Verified by a CPS instructor or an instructor proxy.
2. Participate in at least one community education.
   (Checkups, community workshop, educational session)
3. Earn at least six continuing education units (CEUs).
   Keep proof of content and completion of CEUs handy for three months after you recertify.
4. If you are an instructor, complete 20 certification/certification renewal testing course teaching hours.
5. Pay the recertification fee.
   The recertification fee is $55 for technicians and instructor candidates and $60 for instructors. Payment information can be found in your online profile.

Update

Due to COVID-19, you may substitute additional CEUs for seat checks. Check the Safe Kids Policy Addendum for more information: CPST Recertification and COVID-19 (PDF)

You must complete all recertification requirements and pay the fee, on or before the expiration date of your current certification.

Need help recertifying?

• Find step by step instructions at Safe Kids Resources-FAQs/How To.
• Access resources, tips, and quick links for earning CEUs online on the Safe Kids Resources-FAQs/Forms - Recertification.
• Read the "Recertification" section of the Safe Kids Policies & Procedures Manual.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Safe Riders at 800-252-8255 or email saferiders@dshs.texas.gov.
You can also reach out to Safe Kids Certification at cpscert@safekids.org or 202-875-6330.

Download the Safe Riders Child Passenger Safety Technician Continuing Education Unit Frequently Asked Questions Document for additional information.

Certification Trainings

The Standardized Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification Training was developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to provide a resource to help parents and caregivers transport children safely. Safe Riders conducts the standardized training in a three- and-a-half- day course format.

Upon successful completion of the course, technician candidates become nationally certified as CPS technicians with a two-year certification. CPS technicians may serve as safety educators and advocates in their communities in various sectors by participating in child safety seat checkup events and providing safety presentations to parents, caregivers, and community groups to ensure the safe transportation of children.

Upcoming DSHS-Safe Riders National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training

There are no DSHS child passenger safety certification trainings currently scheduled. Safe Riders will update this webpage when new trainings are scheduled. 

Please visit cert.safekids.org for detailed information on the National Child Passenger Safety Technician certification process and to search for certification trainings in the U.S.

For more information on becoming a Child Passenger Safety Technician, please visit the Safe Kids website. To find a certification course near you, visit the Safe Kids website.

The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites. These links are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.