To become aCertified by the NCSA, you must fulfill the following requirements:

PLEASE NOTE: ALL FORMS MUST BE EMAILED TO MEMBERSHIP@NCSAINFO.COM WE DO NOT ACCEPT MAILED OR FAXED FORMS.

1. Complete the NCSA’s “Newborn Care Specialists 101 Course” or a course approved by the NCSA. (You can choose to skip #1 if you have a minimum of three (3) years experience working with newborns and wish to “test out” of the course.)

2. Pass the NCSA CertificationTest. See Test Guidelines
3. Submit current Infant CPR Certification.
4. Submit a Background/Criminal Check.

5. Fulfill the Reading Requirements.

7. Submit three (3) Professional References.

8. Submit your current resume.

9. Complete and submit the NCSA’s Certification Application.

10. Complete and submit the NCSA’s Self-Evaluation form.

11. Complete and Submit the NCSA’s Ethics form

12. This requirement is ONLY for candidates that have less than 1 year experience working with newborns: Submit Two (2) copies of Evaluations from completed
13. “Internship Hours’ NCSA Certificaiton Requirements Details:

1. Complete an NCSA approved course: Our "Training” tab will guide you to where and how to take a course.

You can choose to skip #1 if you have a minimum of three (3) years experience working with newborns and wish to “test out” of the course: Candidates that have a minimum of three years experience working with newborns and feel that they are very knowledgeable in this field have the option of “testing out” of the course. The candidate will have one (1) attempt to pass the test. It is a multiple-choice test with 200 questions. To pass this test, a candidate must correctly answer 160 questions. In the event that the candidate does not correctly answer 160 questions they will be required to attend the course in order to be eligible for certificaiton. They will be required to pass the test after the completion of the course following the same standards of those who have taken the course (see #2). The $25.00 test fee will be credited to the candidate’s membership dues upon completion of their process.

2. Pass the NCSA Test: This is a multiple-choice test with 200 questions. The testing fee is $25.00. Upon completion of the certification process the testing fee will be credited to the candidate’s certification dues. To pass this test, a candidate must correctly answer 160 questions. In the event that the candidate does not correctly answer160 questions they can re-test a second time without any additional fees. If the candidate fails to pass the test on their second attempt they will be required to take an essay test, interview with a NCSA Board Member and pay a $75.00 re-testing fee.  See below for payment

3. Submit current Infant CPR Certifications: This needs to be through a nationally recognized program. Certification must also take place in an in-person setting. The NCSA will not accept online CPR Certifications. Upon completion of the CPR Certification course the candidate needs to submit proof of completion to the NCSA.

4. Submit a Background/Criminal Check: Background checks must be current from within the past 12 months. Candidates who need a background check can choose a company of their own to complete it or contact Fernando Flores at AccuSearch: (800) 462-7019 or (602) 249-3466 ext 202 fflores@accusearch.biz . Background checks through AccuSearch will range in price between $35.00-$65.00, depending on how many counties the candidate has lived in over the past 7 years. Please ask for a NCSA background check when contacting them. AccuSearch will have the candidate complete and fax in a 4-page Request & Release Form and after receiving the Form, provide the candidate with a total cost quote. The candidate is responsible for the cost of the background check. You may pay by Credit Card or stop by AccuSearch's offices to remit cash payment.  Once the NCSA background screen is completed, both the NCSA and the candidate will receive a copy of the final background check’s results.

5. Fulfill the Reading Requirements: The Candidate is required to read a minimum of one book under the ‘Newborn’ category and one book under the ‘Sleep & Routine’ category. Newborn (Choose 1): Your Amazing Newborn by Klaus & Klaus, The Mind of Your Newborn Baby by Chamberlain, Caring for your Baby and Young Child - The American Academy of pediatrics (the first 3 months only) or Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality by Jang & Shu.Sleep & Routine (Choose 1): Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Weissbluth, No Cry Sleep Solution, Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night by Pantley & Sears, On Becoming Baby Wise by Ezzo & Bucknam, The Content Little Baby: The Simple Secrets of Calm, Confident Parenting by Ford, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby by Hogg & Blau, The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems by Hogg & Blau or The New Contented Little Baby Book: The Secret to Calm and Confident Parenting by Ford.

6. Submit three (3) Professional References: Professional references must include the client’s name, candidate’s name, relationship to the candidate and client’s phone number. These references should be from the candidate’s past clients and can be in the form of a reference letter.

7. Submit your current resume: Resume should include the candidate’s contact information, education and past job experiences.

8. Complete and submit the NCSA’s Membership Application: Applications must be completed and submitted by all candidates. Click on the following link to access forms. Form

    

   PLEASE NOTE: ALL FORMS MUST BE EMAILED TO MEMBERSHIP@NCSAINFO.COM WE DO NOT ACCEPT MAILED OR FAXED FORMS.

9. Complete and submit the NCSA’s Self-Evaluation form: Self-Evaluation form must be completed and submitted by all candidates. Click on the following link to access forms. Form

    

   PLEASE NOTE: ALL FORMS MUST BE EMAILED TO MEMBERSHIP@NCSAINFO.COM WE DO NOT ACCEPT MAILED OR FAXED FORMS.

10. Complete and Submit the NCSA’s Ethics form: Ethics form must be completed and submitted by all candidates. Click on the following link to access forms. Form

     

    PLEASE NOTE: ALL FORMS MUST BE EMAILED TO MEMBERSHIP@NCSAINFO.COM WE DO NOT ACCEPT MAILED OR FAXED FORMS.

11. This requirement is only for candidates that have less than one year experienceworking with newborns: Submit Two (2) copies of Evaluations from 160 hours of completed “Internship Hours’: Evaluation forms can be downloaded here. Internship hours must be completed with two different families with minimum of 80 hours with each family. Internship hours need to be completed at a discounted rate of $10.00 or less an hour. The NCSA strongly suggest that candidates look for families who are in need of theses services and typically cannot afford this type of service. Internship hours must be completed after attending the “NCSA Newborn Care Specialist 101 Course” or another NCSA’s Education Provider’s course. Evaluations can be submitted directly from the family that the candidate completed their internship through. Internship hours must include sleep-training experience. Nursing Students may use total of 130 hours of NICU or Nursery hours towards their internship. The remaining 30 hours must include sleep-training experience. Nursing Students may submit one (1) evaluation from their nursing supervisor, and one (1) from the family that the 30 hours of sleep training was completed with. Internship hours cannot be completed on a member of the candidate’s family.

The NCSA recommends that all Newborn Care Specialist's carry Liabilty Insurance.

Candidate can contact Heather Rickard, NCSA Membership director if they need help at anytime during the certification process.

READ THIS BEFORE PAYING FOR THE TEST.  Once you pay for the membership using the Pay Pal Button you will be taken directly to the test.  This is a timed test.  Please have 90 minutes available for testing as 90 minutes is the allotted time. You time starts as soon as the test opens.  You may not start and stop the test.  Once started you must finish.  There are no refunds or do overs if you pay for the test and cannot take it immediately.  There are 200 questions and you will be allowed to miss 20% of the questions and pass the test.  You will receive notification directly after you finish the test as to your 'pass/fail' results.  Should you fail the test and have taken the approved course you will receive another chance without charge to take the test.  Should you fail the test 'testing out' of the course.  You will be required to take the approved course before taking the test again.  If you have any questions regarding this procedure, please notified Heather Rickard our Membership Director before continuing

Test Options

NCSA Test only $25.00 Certification only $25 Test and 2 year Membership $50.00

Click Here for Required Reading List