Advanced CYC Certification Process

Please note: To access the Forms and Endorsements for certification you must sign into your member account.

Exemption from Intermediate and Full Certification Exams (Route A)

For members seeking certification with CYC educational backgrounds

Candidates with a degree or diploma in Child and Youth Care from a recognized accredited Institution or two years of study in the Bachelor of Child Studies Program from Mount Royal University with a letter of endorsement will be exempt from the exam process but not the endorsement and internship requirements.

1. Child and Youth Care Counsellors who have a Diploma or Degree of higher education from a Child and Youth Care Program, meeting the standards of the Child and Youth Care Educational Accreditation Board of Canada, or demonstrated (transcripts) equivalent CYC coursework, including a minimum of 650 hours of practicum.
   • Non-Alberta-accredited Child and Youth Care Programs will be reviewed by the Advanced Practice Committee for equivalency.
   • Please note: ONLY Child and Youth Care Programs will be reviewed to meet this requirement, similar course types will not be accepted nor considered equivalent.
2. Must be currently employed within the scope of practice:
   • 2000 hours of internship: Only those internship hours acquired in the previous 3 years will be applicable. Practicum hours do not apply.
   • Accumulation of Hours: Hours preferably will be under one supervisor providing an endorsement, however, up to three employers may be combined to reach the required 2000 hours; each indicating the number of hours completed on their letter of endorsement.
3. An Endorsement of Supervisor(s) is required to be uploaded with this application. If candidates are self-employed, they should contact the CYCAA office for further instructions.
   • CYCAA Certified Supervisor: May endorse that the candidate has applied the principles of Child and Youth Care, has reflected upon, and developed these skills, has completed a specified number of hours of internship, and therefore is eligible for Certification / Registration for Certification.
   • Non-CYCAA Certified Supervisor: Must attest that they have read and understood the Core Attitudes and Values of Child and Youth Care. The Supervisor may endorse that the candidate has applied the principles of Child and Youth Care, has reflected upon, and developed these skills, and has completed a specified number of hours of internship, and therefore eligible for Certification / Registration for Certification.
4. Live and work in Alberta and be a Standard Member in good standing.  The cost is $100. (Students must renew their membership to Standard before they can be certified.)
5. Complete the Registration for Certification Form. The cost for Registration is $75.
6. Submit your completed forms with a copy of your diploma or degree.
7. Your application will be reviewed by a Certification Coordinator and if the certification criteria have been met you will be notified.

Intermediate and Full Certification Process (Route B)

For members seeking certification from other educational backgrounds

Intermediate Certification requires the completion of  an essay-format written exam. It demonstrates the achievement of the standard of theoretical knowledge in the field of Child and Youth Care.

Prior to making an application, it is important that the Child and Youth Care candidate and their supervisor understand the competencies and are satisfied that all the competencies have been met. The competencies should have been tied into a training program and learned and practiced in the workplace. This is the internship period. When the Child and Youth Care candidate and their supervisor feel that all of the competencies have been met, and the internship period completed, an application for Intermediate certification can be made.

1. Must be currently employed within the scope of practice:
   • A. 2000 hours of internship: Only those internship hours acquired in the previous 3 years will be applicable. Practicum hours do not apply.
   • B. Accumulation of Hours: Hours preferably will be under one supervisor providing an endorsement, however, up to three employers may be combined to reach the required 2000 hours; each indicating the number of hours completed on their letter of endorsement.
2. An Endorsement of Supervisor(s) is required to be uploaded with this application. If candidates are self-employed, they should contact the CYCAA office for further instructions.
   • CYCAA Certified Supervisor: May endorse that the candidate has applied the principles of Child and Youth Care, has reflected upon, and developed these skills, has completed a specified number of hours of internship, and therefore is eligible for Certification / Registration for Certification.
   • Non-CYCAA Certified Supervisor: Must attest that they have read and understood the Core Attitudes and Values of Child and Youth Care. The Supervisor may endorse that the candidate has applied the principles of Child and Youth Care, has reflected upon, and developed these skills, and has completed a specified number of hours of internship, and therefore eligible for Certification / Registration for Certification.
3. Live and work in Alberta and be a Standard Member in good standing. The cost is $100. (Students must renew their membership to Standard before they can be certified.)
4. Complete the Registration for Certification Form. The cost of the Registration is $75.00.
5. Submit your completed forms with a copy of your diploma or degree.
6. Intermediate Certification (Written Exam, 75 % minimum to pass)
• The Certification Manual is available within Module 2-1 of the online learning system. In the manual, you will find the focus areas for your Intermediate Exam.
• Review each focus area and select the 2 focus areas from group A that are most suited to the work that you do. Then select 1 focus area from group B and 1 from group C.
• The online modules will assist in guiding you through the expectations of each focus area and provide you with a clear understanding of the knowledge required to be a Certified Child and Youth Care Counsellor.
• After completing your studies, submit an Application for Intermediate Certification Cost of the Intermediate Exam is $100.
• The exam will be emailed to the exam supervisor specified on your Registration Form with specific instructions for the exam.
7. Full Certification (Oral Exam, 75% minimum to pass )
   • Upon successfully completing the Intermediate Certification Exam your next and final step will be to complete the Application for Full Certification. The cost of the Oral Exam is $100.
   • This exam can be taken in either Calgary or Edmonton. or via SKYPE or an alternative video chat like Zoom for those who are not in a position to travel to either location.

Maintenance of Certification – Annual Requirements

5Certified Counsellors will be expected to provide documented evidence of their efforts to remain current when paying their annual fees and renewal of their certification.

• Maintain current CYCAA certified membership* (annual renewal fee) and payment of the annual certification maintenance renewal fee each year prior to membership expiry. Renewal Cost $150.
• Supervisory endorsement attesting to continuing employment plus other relevant documentation reflecting ongoing professional development; and
• Continued Education: 20 hours total, 14 of these may be in service or agency driven such as first aid, suicide intervention, etc. The remaining hours could include:
  • Completion of a CYC related course, workshop, conference, etc. that can be documented
  • Instructing CYC related agency in-service or college or university course, including presenting at a conference
  • Sitting as an oral examiner (minimum three (3) exams) for CYC Certification
  • Service work within the CYC Community such as participation on a CYC committee or board, and mentoring certification candidate(s)