Certified Playground Safety Inspector Test Center Candidate Handbook - Effective 4-21-2025

Sep 30, 2026

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Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Test Center Candidate Handbook explains how candidates prepare for and take the CPSI examination and how the certification program is administered. It covers administrative policies and rules for testing, including accommodations for disabilities and English-as-a-second-language requests, rescheduling and exam extensions, and exam security and score handling. The handbook also outlines study preparation, exam content and reference materials, the CPSI code of professional conduct, and the testing agency’s role in delivering the paper-pencil and computer-based exams.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Welcome

Examination Development

About the Testing Agency

Section I: Administrative Policies and Rules for Examination

Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Services for English as a Second Language Candidates

Inclement Weather or Emergency

Age and Education Requirement

Reschedule of Examination

Exam Extension

Copyrighted Examination Questions

Release of Information

Following the Examination and Scoring Results

Appeals

Re-Examination

Scores Cancelled

Your Status as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector

Recertification

Certification Extension Policy

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Section II: Testing at a PSI Test Center

Section III: Study Guide

General Examination Preparation

Study Advice

Test-taking Advice

Exam Content Outline

Reference Materials

CPSI Table of Dimensions

Section IV: CPSI Code of Professional Conduct

Certified Playground Safety Inspector Test Center Candidate Handbook Effective 4/21/2025 National Recreation and Park Association 22377 Belmont Ridge Road Ashburn, VA 20148 (703) 858-0784 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Welcome 3 Examination Development 3 About the Testing Agency 3 SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND RULES FOR EXAMINATION Services for Individuals with Disabilities 4 Services for English as a Second Language Candidates 4 Inclement Weather or Emergency 4 Age and Education Requirement 4 Reschedule of Examination 4 Exam Extension 5 Copyrighted Examination Questions 5 Release of Information 5 Following the Examination and Scoring Results 5 Appeals 5 Re-Examination 5 Scores Cancelled 5-6 Your Status as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector 6 Recertification 6 Certification Extension Policy 6 Statement of Non-Discrimination 6 SECTION II: TESTING AT A PSI TEST CENTER 7-10 SECTION III: STUDY GUIDE General Examination Preparation 11 Study Advice 11 Test-taking Advice 11 Exam Content Outline 12 Reference Materials 13 CPSI Table of Dimensions 14-19 SECTION IV: CPSI CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 20 Copyright 2025 . National Recreation and Park Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy or recording, or any information and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the National Recreation and Park Association. INTRODUCTION Welcome The Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) program is offered by NRPA under the authority of the National Certification Board (NCB) . The purpose of the CPSI Course is for those certified to be able to complete the following: o Identify hazards on public playground equipment and the playground o Rank the hazards according to injury potential o Apply the knowledge to remove the hazards and establish a system of inspections The desired outcome is that a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) is capable of establishing the basics ofa sound risk reduction program establish a system ofrepair, retrofit and removal ofhazardous equipment and establish a routine inspection system for their own agency orplayground owner-client. The NRPA understands that achieving the CPSI certification does not make one an expert in the implementation of the public use playground standard of care. However, the NRPA does recognize all program participants should acquire the knowledge and specific competencies necessary to attain certification as identified by the CPSI Certification and Exam Committees. This knowledge properly and consistently applied in the field will help to create an experience level necessary to be considered a playground safety expert. Examination Development All examination items (questions) have been written and reviewed by subject-matter experts representing playground safety experts and practitioners from many geographical regions. These individuals provide the job-related perspective and expertise that underlies valid examinations. Individuals seeking certification as a CPSI must receive a passing grade on the CPSI certification examination. Maintenance of the CPSI certification requires at least a passing grade on the CPSI certification examination every three (3) years. About the Testing Agency PSI Services (PSI) is the professional testing agency contracted by the NRPA to assist in the development of the examination based on the test specifications developed by the NCB in consultation with the testing agency. The testing agency is responsible for proctoring the paper pencil exam, and administration of the computer-based exam at test centers throughout the US and worldwide. SECTION I: ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES AND RULES FOR EXAMINATION Services for Individuals with Disabilities The NRPA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act by ensur

FAQs

What is the purpose of the CPSI Course and certification outcome?

The CPSI Course is intended to enable certified individuals to identify hazards on public playground equipment, rank hazards by injury potential, and apply knowledge to remove hazards and establish an inspection system. The desired outcome is competency to support a sound risk reduction program and routine inspections for an agency or playground owner-client.

How can candidates request accommodations for a disability?

Candidates may request special accommodations by submitting a written request at the time of exam registration. Requests should be made in advance (recommended 45 days prior to the exam), and candidates can contact PSI for assistance.

How does the handbook address English-as-a-second-language (ESL) accommodations?

Candidates whose primary language is not English can request a time extension by submitting the ESL Request Form to NRPA at least two weeks before the exam, and an additional 60 minutes may be added after the request and fees are submitted. The handbook also describes submitting an ESL request to use a strict translation dictionary, subject to the stated requirements.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Aurelia