Resources for Child Passenger Safety Technicians
On this page: Safe Riders Distribution Partner Resources | Child Passenger Safety Trainings | National Child Passenger Safety Board (NCPSB) Announcements | Child Passenger Safety Technician Map | Change in Child Passenger Safety Technicians by County | Technician and Instructor Recertification | National Child Passenger Safety Certification Trainings
Safe Riders Distribution Partner Resources
Safe Riders 2025 Partner Site Implementation Guide – Read for a full description of program implementation guidelines.
If you have any questions, contact Safe Riders via email at Saferiders@dshs.texas.gov.
Upcoming Texas Child Passenger Safety Trainings or Webinars
Safe Riders hosts webinars for Texas certified child passenger safety (CPS) technicians. Safe Riders also posts webinars hosted by other agencies. CPS technicians can receive continuing education unit (CEU) for recertification by attending.
Please visit the Safe Kids Certification website for other registered certification classes.
| DATE | Training Type | Contact |
|---|---|---|
September 4-5, 2025 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (MST) | Safe Travel for All Children (STAC) Training Course El Paso, TX Registration deadline: 9/3/25 or until filled. | Register online. For more information, email Carolyn Williams (cwilliams@umcelpaso.org) |
September 16, 2025 - September 19, 2025 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (CST) | Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Course Course ID: TX20250423474 | Texas Department of Transportation Email Emily Thurman (emily.thurman@dshs.texas.gov) if you have any questions. |
September 19, 2025 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (CST) | Child Safety Seat Check Event | Wal-Mart parking lot Email Heather Singleton (heather.singleton@txdot.gov). |
September 23, 2025 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. (CST) | CEU Webinar: Child Passenger Safety from the Scene to the Hospital | Register for this session online. Email saferiders@dshs.texas.gov if you have any questions. |
September 23-27, 2025 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (CST) | Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Course Course ID: TX20250707660 | STRAC Office Email Frances Chavez (frances.chavez@uhtx.com). |
For other injury prevention training opportunities, visit our Injury Prevention Calendar.
National Child Passenger Safety Board (NCPSB) Announcements
NCPSB open positions.
Applications are due September 30, 2025.
- Child Passenger Safety Advocate: The CPS advocate speaks for constituencies that are not otherwise represented on the Board. Applicants must be certified as a CPS Technician/Instructor.
- Public Health/Research Representative: The public health/research member represents a public health or research organization that provides programming in the community or non-healthcare setting (e.g. CDC, IIHS, UMTRI and CHOP). Current certification as a CPS Technician/Instructor is preferred.
Apply for a position online.
Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Awards.
Nominations are until August 30, 2025. Awards include:
- Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year (CPST).
- Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor of the Year (CPST-I).
- Child Passenger Safety Team of the Year.
Visit the NCPSB CPS Awards page to submit a nomination for a CPST, CPST-I & CPS Team of the Year.
New Resource: Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement
State coordinators are working to add Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement as an approved training credit for law enforcement. The Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement document includes QR codes linked directly to CPS resources for law enforcement, including:
- Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement
- Car Seat Basics for LE Quick Reference,
- Children in Hot Cars, CPST Training Info.
- Car Seat Education App.
General Car Seat Basics Training - UPDATE
2025 Update for Car Seat Basics will be available soon and allow people to watch the entire hour-long training with all stages of car seats. States with distribution programs looking for educational videos specific to seats being provided will also have the option to watch videos on specific stages (Rear-Facing, Forward-Facing, or Booster Seats & Seat Belts).
Child Passenger Safety Technician Map by County
Download the Texas Child Passenger Safety Technicians and Instructors by County Map (PDF) shown above.
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.
Change in Child Passenger Safety Technicians from May 2024 to May 2025 by County
Download the Change in Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs from May 2024 to May 2025 by County (PDF) shown above.
Steps to Technician and Instructor Recertification
The technician and instructor certification cycles are two years. Each technician and instructor is 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:
- Conduct all five different types of seat checks.
Verified by a CPS instructor or an instructor proxy. - Take part in at least one community education.
(Checkups, community workshop, educational session) - Earn at least six continuing education units (CEUs).
Keep proof of content and completion of CEUs handy for three months after you recertify. - If you are an instructor, complete 20 certification/certification renewal testing course teaching hours.
- 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.
You must complete all recertification requirements and pay the fee on or before the date of your current certification expires.
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 help, contact Safe Riders at 800-252-8255 or email saferiders@dshs.texas.gov.
You can also reach out to Safe Kids Certification for password resets or for assistance 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.
National Child Passenger Safety Certification Trainings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developed the Standardized Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification Training to provide a resource to help parents and caregivers transport children safely. Safe Riders conducts the standardized training in a three- and one-half day course format.
Technician candidates become nationally certified as CPS technicians with a two-year certification after completing the course. 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.
The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites or documents created by other agencies. These links and documents are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.