CYC Certification
Child and Youth Care Worker Certification
CERTIFICATIONS & RENEWALS
OVERVIEW
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.
Congratulations Indiana- there are currently 275 certified practitioners in our state! (See the list of Indiana agencies who employ certified youth workers.)
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.
Complete Application
To complete the certification process, practitioners in Indiana will first submit the application which includes:
- View the Requirements overview
- Determine your certification level Requirements (work & professional development)
- Membership-Professional Association Resource Guide
- CYC Competencies Alignment Guide
- Application Guide – view detailed instructions with examples for the online application
- Training hours Log- Excel Template
- Portfolio Template -professional applicants only
- Portfolio Guidelines – professional applicants only
- View the Application Webinar – instructions for the Indiana online application
Schedule Testing
Upon completion of testing, practitioners will be notified by mail of test results, usually within 2-3 weeks. View the upcoming exam dates and complete the Exam Registration Form.
NEED TO RENEW YOUR CERTIFICATE?
Have Questions?
Contact:
Jeananne Reich
Director of Indiana CYC Certification
jreich@indysb.org
(317) 238-6955 x207
ONLINE FOUNDATIONS COURSES
The Academy for Competent Youth Work and Indiana Youth Services Association present Child & Youth Care: Foundations Course and Training of Trainers Course (for approved applicants)
The sessions will meet via Zoom from 10am-1pm (EST) on Tuesdays & Thursdays September 14th through October 29th. TOT sessions will be on alternating Wednesdays.
Foundations course includes:
- Training across all youth work competencies
- Modules that meet the training requirements for Entry Level CYC certification
- Guidance through the CYC certification process (application and exam fees included)
- Between-class activities
- Access to supplemental online modules
- Student workbook