Becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist: Job Requirements
If you're interested in helping children in medically traumatic situations, learn about the education and training required to be a certified child life specialist.
When children are seriously injured or face long-term hospital treatment, child life specialists help them understand and cope.
Certified child life specialists have bachelor's and master's degrees, in addition to hands-on training through a clinical internship.
On a daily basis, they work with children to explain procedures and make an extended hospitalization a little less overwhelming.
If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, read on to find out about the specific education path you'll need to take.
What Is a Certified Child Life Specialist?
<p>Certified child life specialists go through extended <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Child_Life_Specialist_Certification_and_Training_FAQs.html">education and training</a> to ensure that they can help and support children.
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<p>Because every child's situation and coping skills are different, certified child life specialists need to be flexible and adaptable.
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<p>Their days are busy and can be emotionally taxing. Certified child life specialists are also resilient and empathetic.
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<h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3>
<p>Certified child life therapists are certified through the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
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<p>The ACLP also endorses child life education programs at both the bachelor's and master's degree levels.
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<p>If you're following the path to certification, you want to make sure the programs you enroll in are ACLP-endorsed.
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<p>ACLP-endorsed master's programs are designed to prepare you for the ACLP certification exam.
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<p>If you don't get a master's degree, you still need at least 10 courses that follow the ACLP's education requirements.
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<h3 id="section---Training">Training</h3>
<p>The ACLP requires all candidates for certification to complete at least 600 hours of child life clinical internship training.
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<p>This work must be completed under the direct supervision of a certified child life specialist (CCLS).
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<p>To qualify as a supervisor, a CCLS must have at least 4,000 hours of paid experience as a CCLS.
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<p>The ACLP maintains a list of accredited internship programs on its website, as well as a directory you can search to find a program.
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<h3 id="section---Certification">Certification</h3>
<p>Once you've completed your coursework and internship, you're eligible to sit for the certification exam.
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<p>If you pass, you'll become a CCLS and be ready to start your new career.
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<p>While certification is technically voluntary, most major hospitals and clinics only hire certified child life specialists.
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<p>Having and maintaining your certification might also open the door to supervisory positions and better pay.
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<h3 id="section---JobDuties">Job Duties</h3>
<p>In many ways, no two workdays are the same for a CCLS. Each day presents new challenges and new patients to support.
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<p>On a typical day, a CCLS might provide any of the following interventions:
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<ul><li>preparation for tests or procedures
</li><li>distraction or support during procedures
</li><li>education about diagnoses and treatments
</li><li>therapeutic play
</li><li>support for parents and siblings
</li><li>emotional support
</li><li>bereavement support
</li><li>patient advocacy
</li></ul><p>A CCLS really gets to know the patients in their care so they can ensure they have the best possible outcome from treatment.
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<p>Child life specialists also work with other members of a child's medical team to coordinate plans and manage treatment.
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<p>Some child life specialists work exclusively with children who have a specific medical condition or illness.
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<h3 id="section---AverageSalaryAndWorkEnvironment">Average Salary and Work Environment</h3>
<p>A CCLS can expect to earn around $60,380 per year on average. Most employers also provide health insurance and retirement benefits.
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<p>The majority of certified child life therapists work in large hospitals, especially children's hospitals and specialty hospitals.
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<p>The rest of them work in smaller clinics, hospice units, rehabilitation centers, and other medical facilities.
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<p>There are also independent certified child life specialists who take on their own clients and visit in patient homes.
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<p>Read below for a step-by-step about becoming a certified child life specialist.
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<h2 id="section---Step1GetABachelorSDegreeInChildLife">Step 1: Get a Bachelor's Degree in Child Life</h2>
<p>A bachelor's degree in child life is your first step towards a career as a certified child life specialist.
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<p>The ACLP maintains a list of endorsed programs so you can find one that would best suit your needs if you want to go this route.
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<p>You do have flexibility with your bachelor's degree. You can also pursue a degree in a related discipline, such as psychology or family studies.
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<p>While you're studying for your bachelor's degree, volunteering at a local children's hospital is a great way to get experience.
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<h2 id="section---Step2ServeAChildLifeClinicalInternship">Step 2: Serve a Child Life Clinical Internship</h2>
<p>If you got a bachelor's degree in child life from an ACLP-endorsed program, you likely won't have to find your own internship.
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<p>Otherwise, you can check the ACLP's directory to find an internship in your area that suits your needs.
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<p>The ACLP requires at least 600 hours of supervised experience before you're eligible to sit for the certification exam.
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<h2 id="section---Step3EarnAMasterSDegreeInChildLife">Step 3: Earn a Master's Degree in Child Life</h2>
<p>To become a CCLS, the ACLP requires either a master's degree or at least 10 college courses on child life topics.
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<p>A master's degree in child life is typically the easier route since these programs prepare you directly for the certification exam.
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<p>You can find a list of ACLP-endorsed programs on the ACLP website. ACLP endorsement is mandatory at this stage of your education.
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<h2 id="section---Step4SitForTheCertificationExam">Step 4: Sit for the Certification Exam</h2>
<p>The ACLP has three deadlines to register for the certification exam: March 10, August 10, and October 27.
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<p>The cost for the examination is $300 for ACLP members and $450 for non-members.
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<p>Testing can be completed during the applicable testing window at any ISO Quality Testing (IQT) center.
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<p>You have four hours to complete the timed certification exam, which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.
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<p>Once certified, add 'CCLS' after your name to designate your credentials.
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<h2 id="section---Step5MaintainYourCertification">Step 5: Maintain Your Certification</h2>
<p>Certification fees are due by January 31st in each of the first four years you hold your certification.
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<p>If you fail to pay these fees, you'll lose your credential and have to start all over again, including taking another certification exam.
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<p>In the fifth year, you're responsible for recertifying. You can recertify either by taking continuing education or by taking an exam.
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<p>The cost of the exam is the same as the original certification. Recertifying through continuing education costs $120 ($220 for non-members).
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<h2 id="section---LearnAboutBecomingACertifiedChildLifeSpecialistToday">Learn About Becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist Today</h2>
<p>Contact <i>Best Accredited Colleges</i> today for more information on becoming a certified child life specialist.</p>