Building a Stronger Youth-Serving Workforce
The Child & Youth Care (CYC) Certification is a nationally recognized credential that affirms the skills, knowledge, and professional standards of those working directly with young people. NSPN supports the certification process by providing training, guidance, and preparation opportunities that help youth care professionals demonstrate competence and strengthen their daily practice.
CYC Certification reflects a commitment to high-quality service and ensures young people receive care grounded in professionalism, consistency, and compassion.
About CYC Certification
The Child & Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB) administers the national credentialing system for youth care practitioners. NSPN partners with CYCCB to increase access to certification, provide exam preparation, and support individuals and organizations in strengthening the youth care workforce.
NSPN is a recognized national provider of CYC training and preparation, offering the approved Foundations Course, exam preparation, and guidance for practitioners and organizations navigating the full certification pathway. The NSPN team includes certified youth care professionals who bring real-world experience and practical insight to the certification process, ensuring candidates receive accurate, supportive, and competency-aligned preparation.
Training Format
The CYC: Foundations Course is typically delivered as a virtual, instructor-led training series, allowing participants from across the country to learn together in an accessible, interactive environment. Sessions include practical instruction, discussion, and application activities aligned with the competencies evaluated through the CYC Certification process.
For organizations preparing multiple staff for certification, NSPN also offers the Foundations course on-site upon request.
Full session schedules, format details, and delivery options are provided with each training announcement.
What Participants Gain
Professionals pursuing CYC Certification through NSPN benefit from:
Improved
Service Delivery
- Practical skills that strengthen day-to-day work with young people
- Validation of practices centered on safety, communication, and consistent support
Skill & Professional Growth
- A structured pathway to demonstrate core competencies in youth work
- Enhanced confidence and credibility in direct care roles
- Alignment with national standards for youth-serving practice
Career
Advancement
- Increased opportunities for leadership roles and advancement
- Recognition of professional expertise within the RHY, child welfare, and community-based youth service fields
A Commitment to the Profession
- Participation in a credentialing movement that elevates youth care work nationally
- A credential recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, agencies, funders, and partners across the country
Who Should Pursue CYC Certification
CYC Certification is ideal for:
- Youth care workers and direct care staff
- RHY and child welfare professionals
- Case managers, mentors, and advocates
- Supervisors and team leaders
- Individuals seeking to advance their practice in youth-serving settings
- Students entering youth and family services fields
Certification is recommended for both emerging professionals and seasoned practitioners who want to formalize and strengthen their skills.
CYC Certification Levels
There are three levels of Child & Youth Care (CYC) Certification, each aligned with professional experience and competency expectations across the field:
Entry
(CYC)
For individuals beginning their work with youth and families or gaining foundational experience in direct care settings.
Associate
(CYC-A)
For practitioners with growing experience who are expanding their skills, responsibilities, and understanding of professional standards.
Professional
(CYC-P)
For experienced professionals who demonstrate advanced competency, leadership, and adherence to the full CYC professional practice standards.
CYC Foundations & Exam Preparation:
What You’ll Learn
The CYC: Foundations course helps provides a practical, interactive learning experience designed to help candidates feel fully prepared for the certification exam. The content is grounded in real youth work and reflects the competencies evaluated by CYCCB.
Participants will learn to:
- Foundations of child and youth care practice
- Ethics and professional standards, including application of the Code of Ethics
- Human development and developmental theory
- Cultural humility and relational practice
- Communication, boundaries, and professional decision-making
- Trauma-responsive practice and youth engagement
- Role of the practitioner in safety, support, and intervention
- Exam structure, question types, and preparation strategies
This preparation strengthens not only exam readiness, but also day-to-day practice for those working directly with youth.
Course Options & Pricing
CYC Foundations Course
The Foundations Course is the first step for many professionals pursuing certification.
- Cost: $600 per NSPN Organizational Member | $800 per non-member participant
(Pricing based on current NSPN training rates; fees may vary for group contracts.)
CYC Certification Exam
The CYC Certification exam fee is set by the Child & Youth Care Certification Board and is subject to change. NSPN does not determine certification pricing. Current fees can be found through CYCCB, and candidates are encouraged to verify pricing prior to submitting their application.
Ethics in Child & Youth Care Practice
Ethics is an essential component of CYC Certification. NSPN helps candidates understand and apply the CYC Code of Ethics as part of their preparation process.
Topics include:
• Ethical decision-making in youth work
• Professional boundaries
• Responsibility to self, youth, families, and colleagues
• Core expectations outlined by CYCCB
Understanding ethics ensures practitioners maintain professionalism and provide safe, trustworthy environments for youth.
Why CYC Matters
CYC Certification strengthens the youth care field by:
- Setting clear standards for professional practice
- Promoting consistency across youth-serving programs
- Supporting workforce development and retention
- Helping organizations demonstrate quality and accountability
For youth, it means receiving care from adults who are skilled, trained, and committed to their well-being.
Registration & Details
Information about upcoming CYC training and exam preparation sessions will be shared as they are scheduled.
Sign up for NSPN email communications if you’d like to stay informed about CYC Certification and other NSPN events.
