For the first time workers see themselves as professionals ... it’s a worldview changer when you realize you are part of an international movement instead of simply a sitter in a part time job.
Certification Process
The CYC certification is a national credential for child and youth care work practitioners. It is based on a three-tiered system beginning with Entry Level and includes Associate and Professional Levels. CYC certification allows practitioners to demonstrate their development as professionals and participate in true career development. Over time, practitioners can combine in-service training, formal education and work experience to qualify for increasingly advanced positions. Or they can continue to work in the same setting with the ability to meet a wider range of youth needs.
Why Should You Get Certified?
BENEFITS TO BEING CERTIFIED
HOW TO BECOME CERTIFIED
Determine Certification Level : Explore the certification levels and determine which one best describes your experience, education, and training. You can apply to whichever level is the best fit. It is not necessary to complete Entry Level before obtaining a higher level. You cannot be certified unless you meet all of the requirements for a specific level.
For questions, contact the CYCCB office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 317-296-3835
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The process in 6 minutes (video)
- Determine your Level & Submit the application
- Take exam
- FAQ Page
- Renew every 2 years
Complete Application
To complete the certification process, practitioners will first submit the application. Resources include:
Schedule Testing
Upon completion of testing, practitioners will be notified by mail of test results, usually within 2-3 weeks. Complete the Exam Registration Form to get started.
Certification & Renewal Price Schedule
Child & Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB)
CYCCB offers three levels of Child and Youth Care certification — Entry, Associate, and Professional — awarded based on the applicant’s experience and education. The amounts below reflect the standard prices for first-time certification and for ongoing renewal.
First-Time Certification
Each level requires both an application processing payment and an exam (testing) payment. The First-Time Total column shows the combined cost to complete certification at each level.
| Certification Level | Application Processing | Exam / Testing | First-Time Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (CYC) | $80 | $105 | $185 |
| Associate Level (CYC-A) | $130 | $130 | $260 |
| Professional Level (CYC-P) | $180 | $165 | $345 |
Renewal
Certification is renewed on a two-year cycle. The amounts below apply per renewal.
| Certification Level | Renewal (per 2-year cycle) |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (CYC) | $75 |
| Associate Level (CYC-A) | $75 |
| Professional Level (CYC-P) | $90 |
Additional administrative fees (for example, exam rescheduling or late renewal) are not included in this schedule. For the complete list of payment options, contact the CYCCB office.
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What CYCs Say ...
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CYCCB research shows that CYCs who successfully complete certification requirements are 2.7 times more likely to be viewed as top performers (Curry, et al., 2011).
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One of the benefits of certification is increased motivation and a sense of accomplishment. Having to demonstrate my competence made me appreciate what I know in a new way.
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The portfolio made me work. I really had to investigate the person that I am as a practitioner. It wasn’t something that you could just turn in, you had to do research; you had to think.
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Before going through certification I don’t think my supervisors were really taking time to think about what I do and how competent I am. Certification gave an opportunity for my supervisor to identify my value by answering the questions from the application forms.
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A benefit of certification is being part of something bigger. Being certified, I joined a large group of others who are working to raise standards of practice.
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When I passed the test, I was ecstatic. It’s a good feeling to know that you have learned A LOT.
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Certification gives you another way to define your skill set. Having certification gives you the ability to advocate for yourself.
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A benefit of certification is increased recognition of the importance of advocacy for certification both within and outside the field. Certified CYC practitioners are our own best advocates.
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Passing the exam definitely gave me confidence that I know what I’m doing. Being compared with so many others who do the same thing I do let me know where I stand in relationship to them.
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It’s not just one or two steps and you’re done; it’s a lot of hard work… and it means something to be this capable.
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Completing the certification process took self-motivation. No one can do the work for you.
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Letting workers see themselves as professionals is a morale enhancer. It lets them know that you take them seriously as professionals and you want them to have a relevant credential.
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In our organization we met in groups to get our applications completed. It was inspiring to see the support that we got from our agency and from each other.
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Going through the certification process helped me become more reflective and increased my ability to conceptualize the good work that I do.
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There are still people out there who think of youth workers as ‘glorified babysitters’. Certification helps address this misconception.
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Completing certification is viewed as a signal of the seriousness of one’s commitment to professional youth work. It also brings attention from supervisors and administrators to workers’ skill sets.
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Many practitioners involved in the certification process recognize that they are now “part of something bigger.” There is a profession of child and youth work and it exists as part of a world movement.
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I think the certification process was really valuable in assessing what I do well and areas where I can reevaluate and do things differently.
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It made me more efficient. When you’re more mindful about what you do and you know the meaning behind it, you’re able to be more planful and consistent.
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Taking standardized tests is hard for me, you know? But passing it was an amazing validation of what I know and use everyday.
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The need for advocacy to promote CYC certification and increase awareness of its importance within the field is often mentioned as an important goal of certification.
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It was nice for me personally to see all of the trainings and courses I have taken being put toward something that can lead to making the child care field more important overall…it’s the bigger picture.
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It’s given me insight into how serious people are in this profession about competence.
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Self-motivation and a passion for the work are identified as key factors in being a competent practitioner.
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Children and youth comprise approximately 25% of the U.S. population. The combined child and youth work workforce is estimated to be as high as six million (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2003). It is the largest human services workforce in the US.
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Certification has allowed me to be more aware of what is going on in other areas of child and youth work.
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The certification process helped me to create and maintain affiliation with member-based associations which offer networking opportunities and a sense of community.
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Certification is a signal of one’s commitment to professional youth work.
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Why can almost anyone go into afterschool or daycare? There should be a benchmark of common knowledge and ability. That is what certification is!
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Certification helps to assure the community that we know what we’re doing and that we care to do it well. As a parent myself, I want to be sure that the people working with my children are the most qualified available.
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The CYC Certification Preparation Workbook really helped me. It had the answers I was looking for when i was going through the application and testing process.