Professional Level Certification

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Professional level standards are pending and have not been approved by the Texas Youth and Child Care Worker Association or NACP.

General description:

National Certification is currently under development. The North American Certification Project (NACP) is providing leadership to implement a unified credentialing system for North America. The work is supported by:

• Albert E. Trieschman Center;
• Association for Child and Youth Care Practice;
• Child Welfare League of America;
• Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations;
• International Coalition for Professional Child and Youth Care Work;
• National Resource Center for Youth Services;
• Texas Youth and Child Care Worker Association; and
• Child and Youth Care Worker Certification Institute of Texas.

The national credentialing system will be composed of three (3) levels: entry, full professional, and advanced practice levels. The current focus of the NACP is the full professional level (the third level of the Texas system). Pilot testing of this level will begin in 2003. Following review and revision, the full professional credential will be implemented.

Work will begin to define the entry and advanced practice requirement after the full professional level has been implemented. The Certification Institute of Texas is involved in the NACP effort. It is expected that practitioners credentialed in Texas will be eligible for reciprocity in other states and in Canada when reciprocity requirements are outlined.

Certification requirements:

Development of the national credentialing system is still underway. The requirements listed below reflect current thinking and may change as the system is pilot tested and implemented.

Higher Education and Experience Requirement:

• In the United States, a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university will be the minimum educational requirement to engage in the certification process. The requirement will be waived during the 'grand fathering' period.
• Baccalaureate degree and 4,000 hours paid experience;

Or

• Masters degree (or Ph.D.) and 2000 hours paid experience.

Professional Education Requirement:

Applicants must document a minimum of 250 hours of training that are directly related to the national competency areas. At least 100 of these hours must have occurred during the preceding five (5) years. A minimum number of training hours are required in each competency area:

• Professionalism (20 hours);
• Cultural and Human Diversity (20 hours);
• Applied Human Development (20 hours);
• Relationship and Communication (40 hours);
• Developmental Practice Methods (80 hours)
• Passing score on the Full Professional Certification Examination;

References:

• One letter of reference from a direct supervisor familiar with the individual's current (or most recent) performance;

And

• One letter of reference from a second supervisor or other child and youth work professional (e.g. certified child and youth worker, program director, clinician,) familiar with the individual's performance;

And

• Two letters of reference from peers familiar with the applicant's skills and abilities.

Professional Membership:

• Applicants must be actively involved in the profession, as demonstrated by current membership and participation in at least one professional organization related to child and youth work;

Certification and Testing Fee:

• Currently certification and testing fees have not been determined.

Re-certification:

• Certification must be renewed every two (2) years. Fees and requirements have not been determined.