Blended Learning - Certified Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam
Playing outdoors is a major component in the health and wellness of our children. And it is our responsibility to ensure safe, enjoyable play areas for all. MRPA, in conjunction with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), are offering the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) course and certification to properly train and certify you and your staff to recognize and prevent potential playground hazards.
Courses are designed for park and recreation staff, school districts, childcare facilities, health departments, landscape architects, playground manufacturers, installers, contractors, insurance firms, homeowner’s associations and more.
Blended Learning (Virtual) Course & Exam Information
The "blended learning" environment will include 12 hours of pre-recorded online learning modules, a 4-hour virtual training course with a live instructor, and an exam proctored at a professional testing location. All course registrants will be mailed a set of course material books: Course Manual & Field Guide and Playground Safety Is No Accident – 6th Edition on USB. These materials will be mailed via USPS about 3-4 weeks in advance of the course date to the address on file at the time of registration. It is recommended that course participants review these materials in full prior to participating in the live course.
Part 1: Pre-Recorded Online Learning Modules
About 2 -3 weeks prior to your virtual course date, you will receive an email from NRPA granting access to the 12 hours of pre-recorded online learning modules, presented by CPSI expert trainers. This study-at-your-own-pace "prep course" will give you the basics to be prepared for the live virtual course. Please check spam/junk folders for this email.
Part 2: Live Instruction via Zoom
The 4-hour live instruction course will be conducted via Zoom on the date designated from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm (Eastern). No more than 45 students participate in each session to allow for maximum engagement among the students and instructor. 2 - 3 weeks prior to the virtual course date, you will receive an email from NRPA providing the information necessary to access the zoom session. Please check spam/junk folders for this email.
Part 3: CPSI Exam
NRPA will email you instructions to schedule your computer-based exam with a local PSI Test Center about 2 - 3 weeks before your virtual course date. Please check spam/junk folders for this email. You may not schedule your exam prior to receiving this email. Upon receipt, you may schedule your exam immediately, prior to completing the live instruction.
Results of computer-based exams will be available immediately following completion of the exam; there will be a 3 - 4 week delay between completion of the exam and notice of re/certification from NRPA. For more information about PSI Testing Centers, rescheduling exams, requesting accommodations, and other exam inquires, you can visit the NRPA website to access the CPSI Candidate Handbook.
Exam candidates must present a valid government-issued ID with photo and signature to be admitted to the exam. You will not be permitted to take the exam unless the name you provided at registration (as shown in your confirmation email) exactly matches the name on the ID you present on exam day. If there is any discrepancy, please contact us immediately at [email protected]. The exam candidate will also be required to sign a roster for verification of identity. Acceptable forms of ID with photo and signature include: a current driver's license, a current state identification card, a current passport, or a current military identification card. Employment ID cards, student ID cards, and any type of temporary identification are not acceptable.
Exam Only & Exam Retake Information:
While the CPSI course is highly recommended for first-time candidates, it is not required prior to sitting for the CPSI exam.
In the event you take the exam and do not successfully pass, you are able to retake the exam. Initial exams and retakes are the same price.
Each CPSI course hosted by MRPA includes an option to register for the exam only. If you register for the exam only as part of a virtual MRPA session, you will receive an email with instructions to schedule a computer-based exam at a local testing center. See part 3 of the Blended Learning section immediately above.
Certification:
Candidates who successfully pass the exam will be considered a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and will be added to the national registry. Re-certification is required every 3 years, expiring on the first of the month you successfully completed your prior exam. If you forget or lose track of your records, you can contact NRPA at [email protected] to verify the validity of your certification.
Recertification:
At present, the only means of maintaining a CPSI certification, or recertifying, is to sit for and pass the CPSI exam. Anyone whose certification is due to expire on/following July 1, 2026, will have two options to recertify:
- Passing the CPSI exam (i.e., the current option), or
- Successfully completing 2.0 CEUs in playground safety during the three-year certification cycle and submitting a completed CEU Recertification Application.
NRPA has established an FAQ page dedicated to the new recertification option. The two-day CPSI course offers participants 1.5 CEUs (0.8 CEUs for Group A material and 0.7 CEUS for Group B material) and will continue to be available as is following July 1st.
Course Materials:
Registration for the CPSI course includes the purchase of the course materials. Course materials include (A) "Certified Playground Safety Inspector: Course Manual (2022)" and (B) "Field Guide: Public Safety Standards and Guidelines (2022)." The Field Guide includes a USB of "Playground Safety is No Accident (Sixth Edition)."
Course materials are mailed via USPS priority mail to each course registrant approximately 4-6 weeks in advance of the CPSI course to the address on file at the time of registration.
If a registrant's course materials are returned to the MRPA office we will reach out to the registrant to discuss either resending the materials to an alternative mailing address (for a $20 fee) or issuing a refund for the cost of the materials (i.e., $125).
Expedited shipment of course materials may be requested at your own expense. Expedited shipping typically ranges from $25 - 50 depending on the delivery address. To expedite your shipment, please email [email protected].
FAQs:
- We highly recommend reviewing the CPSI Candidate Handbook for the most up to date and detailed information about the Playground Safety Inspector Certification and process.
- If you have questions about the exam or certification not addressed in the handbook, please contact NRPA directly at [email protected].
- Anyone (18 or older), regardless of location, industry, and title may register to complete the CPSI course and/or exam with MRPA (there is a cost savings for MRPA members).
- Beginning in 2025, it is no longer necessary for exam candidates to have a high school diploma.
- The certification is a national standard which is not necessarily specific to any one state. Please consult with your local or relevant entity to learn if this certification satisfies their requirements/standards.
Additional Playground Safety Resources:
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MRPA Member Pricing
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Non-Member Pricing
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Course & Exam Registration
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$ 500.00
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$ 575.00
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Course Only Registration
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$ 400.00
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$ 450.00
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Exam Only Registration
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$ 150.00
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$ 200.00
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Registration is closed.
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