What is a CPT?
A CPT is a professionally trained advanced childcare manager who has been educated in the philosophy of nursing including medical, social, and emotional needs of all children, with an emphasis on the handicapped and special needs child.  CPT's include educational services and laws that promote the sustained advancement of the disabled child.  

Why would I become a CPT?
There are three great reasons why you should choose the CPT training for your professional career.

1)  If you are a professional, enhancing your resume with extra professional certifications keep you current and competitive in this global economy.

2) If you are a non professional student making a decision to enter either the medical, social, educational or legal field  but do not have the time or the financial resources to spend at a four year college this training may be a good for you because this entry-level course  can be your stepping stone toward a career in traditional professional careers.

3) If you have a profound love of children and know that you would be an asset to a child who needs extra nurturing a CPT will provide you with a professional title that will foster respect and will give you a rightful place in the management team that most schools, medical institutions, social service agencies and legal firms seek.

Who hires CPTs?
CPT's find employment everywhere a child needs services.

What is the difference between a childcare course and the CPT course?
That's easy! The childcare course teaches routine babysitting situations and general nurturing and daily care.  It probably will also touch on such things as play time.  The CPT training goes much further because it not only trains you in the care of the healthy child, but it teaches you about the chronically ill child.  You will learn about rehabilitation, several diseases and outcomes, vocational and behavioral therapies and legal interpretations of the law and much more!

What is the difference between a CPT and a Child Care Worker?
A CPT has spent 300 hours training to become a CPT. They have been taught about the physical, medical and social needs of children. Although childcare workers can encounter children who require more care than just  supervision, untrained workers do not understand the management or goals that educators, physicians, and parents need and want for their children.  When given the choice, those who are in control of the needs of children with special needs will always look for someone who has the basic training that the CPT program offers. 

Who acknowledges the need for CPTs?
Social workers, nurses, teachers and attorneys have recommended CPTs.

Where are classes taught?
Classes are now held on line at the National CPT Institute Training School, (the online Career Central site).

How long is the course?
In a typical classroom setting, the CPT course is 300 hours. On line courses are flexible but can also be 300 hours (or less). So you can expect your training to last approximately one semester.

Can I study at home?
Yes! Every body knows that today we are all running from work to home and we try to fit our errands in between.  We also recognize that with your busy schedule, you may not be able to physically be at the school but still have the capability of study at home. That is why we have developed the "on line" program.

Can not afford the tuition?

Depending on the state in which you live, you may qualify for unemployment funding. However, if you do not qualify for funding the admission office can design a plan to suite your financial means. 

What are the requirements?
For those without a professional degree, you will need a GED or High School diploma, as well as general applications standards are required to enter the school. However, please read our manual for all the information you need for more details on requirements and other important questions.

Para-professionals and/or degreed professionals can take the certification course that meets their continuing educational needs at any time. 

I was looking for a short term -semester type program with certification that I would be able to take with me if I moved out of state.  The CPT training gave that certificate and today I am working in a long term hospital with clinic and school for chronically ill.  I have so much gratification (and a nice salary) to go with it.  I plan to begin classes and earn my degree as a special education teacher. - Cynthia Mc Govern


"I had graduated from High School a long time ago, and always wanted to go into  nursing or social work, but I could not afford college.  The CPT program gave me a certificate and a professional  identity.  -  Jenny Carlton

 
"I always knew I loved children and wanted to work with them, but I was afraid that a child care attendant was a low paying job and I knew I had bills to pay. Now that I am a CPT, I am earning  a good wage and the best part is that I am doing what I love."  - Sandra Vogel

 
"Today I began my job as a CPT in a day care center.  The school director always refers me  to the child who is handicapped or needs a little more help than the other children.  I can provide  all the attention to their daily living needs while I work with them because I understand the  illness they have and their limitations as well as the goals they can reach.  I have found that I  love my work so much that I intend to continue my education and become a nurse."  - Patricia Heins

 
"I am a single mother trying to find a job that can offer me a good salary, steady work and still give me the time to spend with my son. As a CPT, I am working with children  with special needs in school.  I have learned even more about the behavior problems of children and even though I do not have a child with those problems I am better able to  cope with his energy and even have off during the summer.  That extra time I can spend  with him has been good for both of us." -  Andrea Larson 


I always wanted to be an attorney, but the schedule was tough, and I knew that parenting parents and still being the nucleus of my own family meant that I would need to sacrifice something.  That something was my career goal but I still had a burning need to do something for myself. One day, I found myself with 2 minutes to  spare and computer turned on.   I found this program and I am almost finished.   I plan to contact several educational attorney's in my area who need part time shadowing for the families of disabled children who are their clients.   I know they can use my knowledge to help them provide the best outcome for their case. Delia Sanchez

I am a pediatric physician, who as a doctor, has been involved with disabled children over the 30 yr span.  One of the areas of most concern has always been the need to supply continuous care built around one customized care plan.  I believe that the Certified Pediatric Technician is a giant step toward that goal.  Today parents spend more time running all over themselves trying to get experts from every area in a child's life to decide what is best medically, educationally, and socially and legally.  No one follows, coordinates or oversees those three elements.  My primary concern is the loss of time and direction.  The Certified Pediatric Technician is that missing link that unites all of those primary elements under one uniform direction.    Let's not waste another decade by thinking about this approach.  Let's do it and see the dramatic results.  - Jonathan Hasgood, MD

“Throughout my nursing career I have witnessed many instances when caregivers have not had the special training necessary to handle children with disabilities or handicaps. Because of the absence of this category of trained personnel, I believe that it is essential that a program be developed that would incorporate all the information a person needs to provide the necessary care for this type of child.  I have taken the time to review the curriculum  in the Certified Pediatric Technician program and highly recommend this class.” - Susan Davison

“My child is grown now; I wish I knew about your course when she was little.”  - David Breslor

“I have had several caregivers helping with my disabled child since he was born.  No one knows how to care for him or what to watch for.  I never felt safe leaving him alone until I hired a CPT. She really knew about my child’s illness and what safety issues to be on the look out for . - Hattie Watson

“My child was being taken care of by a very nice volunteer in the school.  He needed a lot of help with his wheel chair, but no one understood how important it was to sit him correctly. When it came to toileting, the janitor took my son to the bathroom.  He was always embarrassed and once he became a teenager, the peer pressure made his school experience even worse. Now that I have a CPT working with my son, he gets all the proper attention he needs.  She understood how important it was to be with him during the day and to make sure that he could get his schoolwork organized.  His grades  have improved, and he is much happier.  Now I can go to work without worrying about him all day”.  - Delia Alberto
 
“There is no agency out in my area that can help me with my child.  They have no one who understands his needs. Thank God I heard about this program, now I have a professional provider working with me”.  - Lucy Caraballo