Want to be a Child Passenger Safety Technician?

According to Sarah Tilton, an active child passenger safety (CPS) technician (2002–present), instructor (2004–present), and Britax America’s safety spokesperson within the advocacy community, there is a process to becoming a certified child passenger safety technician, but if you’re passionate about helping families, Sarah believes it’s worth the time and extra effort. Properly fitting child safety restraints can prevent serious injuries, even death, in the case of a severe car accident.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:

• Visit https://cert.safekids.org/become-tech to locate scheduled classes by state. If you do not see a class in your area, you can fill out an email form for the system to notify you when new classes are registered in your area.

• The CPST certification class takes about 32 hours to complete.

• The certification class involves classroom learning, written quizzes, hands-on skills assessments, and participating in a car seat check.

• You can expect to learn everything from seat belt systems to types of car seats and how they fit properly together.

• The registration fee is about $95, and successful completion will provide a two-year certification.

• To learn more about becoming a CPST, visit https://cert.safekids.org/become-tech.

CPSTs can recertify after two years by fulfilling all the requirements for recertification, which include:

• Five different types of seat checks

• Participation in one community event

• Earning six continuing education units

For more details about recertification requirements, visit: https://cert.safekids.org/i-am-a-tech/recertification.

About Sarah Tilton

As an active child passenger safety (CPS) technician (2002–present) and instructor (2004–present), Sarah is Britax America’s safety spokesperson within the advocacy community, participating in child passenger safety activities at a local, state, and national level. Sarah is currently active with the Safe Kids South Carolina, Safe Kids York County (South Carolina), Safe Kids North Carolina, and Charlotte Mecklenburg (North Carolina) coalitions. She has also held leadership positions as a member of the National Child Passenger Safety Board, representing the At Large  population and the Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety. Sarah is an internationally recognized CPS advocate and is deeply embedded in the study and advancement of child passenger safety. She is highly involved in public outreach programs, practical automobile safety training, research, and child passenger technician training.

About Britax Child Safety, Inc. (The Americas)

A premium car seat, stroller, and accessories manufacturer, Britax tests and builds its infant through harness-to-booster lines of car seats in the United States using US and global components. Britax engineers its car seats to meet US and Canadian motor vehicle safety standards and makes significant investments in advanced technology, research, and development to deliver safe products that families can depend on. In 2011, Britax expanded its product line by acquiring BOB Gear®, a brand that delivers high-performance strollers and stroller accessories. Britax Child Safety, Inc., employs more than 300 people at its headquarters in Fort Mill, South Carolina.