Keeping Your IYCA Youth Fitness Specialist Certification Current

Click Here to Download the Entire IYCA CEU Policy and Forms

Overview

Completion of an IYCA Certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in youth conditioning and fitness. As part of this commitment, all IYCA Certifications are valid for a period of two years OR a prorated amount during the first renewal cycle for new credential holders. Unlike other fitness certification bodies, the IYCA has recently adopted a “One For All” Continuing Education (CE) policy.  As such, no matter how many current IYCA credentials currently held, the same education and renewal requirements will apply.

In order to maintain a current and balanced knowledge of the latest in youth fitness education, the IYCA requires the following to be completed and submitted prior to the expiration date of any and all IYCA certifications or credentials.

1. Completion and Reporting of Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
   • Continuing education requirements are intended to promote continued competence, development of current knowledge and skills and enhancement of professional skills and judgment beyond the levels required for entry‑level practice. CE activities must focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities related to the practice of youth fitness.
   • CEUs are based on contact hours. Contact hours are defined as the number of actual clock hours spent in direct participation in a structured education format as a learner. One (1) CEU is equivalent to one (1) contact hour for IYCA approved programming or 0.5 contact hours for Non-IYCA approved programming. CEUs will be awarded only for activities that are completed within the reporting period. CEUs in excess of the amount required cannot be carried over for credit in subsequent reporting periods. CEUs cannot be earned prior to certification.
2. Maintenance of Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC)
   • IYCA Certified Professionals must provide evidence of a continuous and current ECC certification throughout the reporting period. Depending on the ECC provider, ECC recertification may not be required each year. Regardless of the ECC provider, ECC content must include the following:
     • Adult, Child, and Infant CPR
     • AED
     • Airway obstruction
     • Personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, pocket masks, etc.)
   • Examples of courses that provide the above requirements include, but are not limited to:
     • CPR/AED for adult, child, & infant OR CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer through American Red Cross
     • Heartsaver CPR/AED OR BLS for Healthcare Providers through the American Heart Association
   • The IYCA reserves the right to request ECC documentation at any time; this includes, but is not limited to, the IYCA audit. The only acceptable documentation is the original certification card(s) OR a photocopy (front and back) of the certification card(s) obtained upon successful completion of the ECC course. The card(s) must be signed by the instructor and the card holder. Letters provided by instructors are not acceptable forms of documentation. Instructor cards are not acceptable.
3. Submission of the IYCA Bi-Annual Certification Fee
   • IYCA Certified Professionals are required to pay a bi-annual certification fee to the IYCA. The bi-annual certification fee is an administrative fee that supports the process of recertification. Regardless of the number of IYCA credentials held, the recertification fee is the same for all IYCA certified or credentialed members and will maintain the credential holder in good standing for two years. The fee is $75 for the current reporting period.
   • Any application received postmarked after expiration of the credential is subject to an additional fee.  Certification fees postmarked 3 months days past expiration are subject to an additional 25% late fee ($93.75 total renewal fee), while certification fees postmarked 3-6 months past expiration are subject to an additional 50% late fee ($112.50 total renewal fee).
4. Documentation
   • Original documentation confirming participation in any reported CE activity must be kept for one (1) year after the reporting period has ended (see category description for documentation specifics).
5. Mandatory Audit
• An undisclosed percentage of individuals submitting the CE Reporting Sheet will be randomly chosen for audit. Audited individuals will be required to submit their original documentation to the IYCA for review. Detailed instructions pertaining to the auditing process will be provided to audited individuals. A response to the audit notification is due within 45 days from the date of the notification letter. The IYCA reserves the right to audit any individual at any time.
6. Change of Address
   • Changes in mailing address must be provided to the IYCA. Failure to maintain a current mailing address on file with the IYCA can result in suspension or revocation of certification.

CE Reporting Schedule for IYCA Certified Professionals with ONE OR MORE IYCA certification(s)/credential(s) earned PRIOR TO 2010.

CE Reporting Schedule for IYCA Certified Professionals with ONE OR MORE IYCA credential(s) earned AFTER 2010

Recording of CE Information

• It is the responsibility of the IYCA certified/credentialed Professional to document CE activities.
• All CE information must be submitted either in hardcopy to the address below, faxed to the number below, or sent electronically to ceu@iyca.org.

Continuing Education Categories

Category 1: IYCA Programming & IYCA-related Professional Activity

1. Any course currently offered by the IYCA may be completed for CE credit toward a currently held credential.

2. Any associated IYCA approved continuing education programming may be applied for Category 1 credit.  A list of available IYCA approved providers is available on www.iyca.org.  CE credit for such programming varies by course and provider.

3. Attendance at any IYCA conference or workshop may be completed for CE credit toward a currently held credential.  For example, attendance at the IYCA International Summit can be counted for Category 1 credit.

4. Current list of IYCA programming (as of January 31, 2012):

   • Youth Fitness Specialist, Level 1 (12 CEUs)
   • Youth Fitness Specialist, Level 2 (12 CEUs)
   • Youth Fitness Specialist, Level 3 (12 CEUs)
   • Youth Nutrition Specialist, Level 1 (12 CEUs)
   • Youth Speed & Agility Specialist (12 CEUs)
   • High School Strength & Conditioning Specialist Certification(12 CEUs)
   • IYCA Program Design Course (6 CEUs)
   • IYCA Special Needs Fitness Course (6 CEUs)
   • IYCA Crash Course: Essentials of Kinesiology (6 CEUs)
   • IYCA Youth Kettlebell Instructor Course (6 CEUs)
   • IYCA Resistance Band Instructor Course (6 CEUs)

5. Documentation for this category should by in the form of a certificate provided by the IYCA and/or the approved provider. (SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ONLY UPON REQUEST)

Category 2: Non-IYCA Programming

• Any course and/or home study offered by an institution or other certifying body specific to youth conditioning and fitness or a related field may be applied for Category 2 credit.  Such programming is subject to approval and must have some component of instruction that is specific to youth fitness, training, etc.  CE credit for such programming varies by course and provider, but may be applied for Category 2 credit.

• Attendance at a non-IYCA conference or workshop may be completed for CE credit toward a currently held credential, but again, must have some component of instruction that is specific to youth fitness, training, etc.  For conferences in which only selected sessions are youth-related, credit will only be awarded for contact hours in such sessions, but not the entire conference. Such activity may be counted for Category 2 credit.

• Documentation for this category should be in the form of a program or course/activity description with pertinent programming highlighted or otherwise indicated.  THIS CATEGORY IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW! (SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ONLY UPON REQUEST)

Category 3: Professional Development

• Any presentation, publication, or similar professional speaking engagement, etc. in which the IYCA Certified Professional is involved may be applied for Category 3 credit.  Applicable activities and their corresponding values include:

  • Presentation/panel discussion participant (related to youth conditioning fitness): 3 CEUs
  • Author of article in professional/refereed journal (related to youth conditioning fitness): Primary: 15 CEUs; Secondary: 5 CEUs
  • Primary author of article in non-professional/non-refereed journal (related to youth conditioning fitness): 5 CEUs
  • Author of home-study course or related information product Author of article in professional/refereed journal (related to youth conditioning fitness): 10 CEUs per product

• Documentation for this category should by in the form of program or course/activity description or article reprint indicating credential holder’s contribution. (SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION ONLY UPON REQUEST)

If you need help, please contact IYCA Support