Top 10 Youth Worker Certifications

Certifications are important for youth workers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and commitment to the profession. They provide assurance to employers that the worker has the necessary skills and knowledge to work with youth effectively, safely, and ethically. Certifications also help youth workers stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, as employers may view them as more qualified candidates. Furthermore, certifications can be a great way for youth workers to stay up-to-date on current trends in their field, allowing them to stay competitive in an ever-changing job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Youth Workers and explains how they can contribute to a youth worker's career growth.

What are Youth Worker Certifications?

Youth worker certification is a designation granted to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to providing quality services to young people. Certification is achieved by completing a recognized training program and obtaining the necessary qualifications. By becoming certified, youth workers are able to validate their knowledge and skills in order to provide the best possible care for young people.

Youth worker certification can be beneficial in several ways. It provides an opportunity for practitioners to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the profession, which can increase their employability. It also helps ensure that those working with young people are knowledgeable about current trends and practices in youth work, as well as understand the importance of ethical practices. Certification also provides employers with assurance that employees have acquired the necessary skills and qualifications required for responsible service delivery. Finally, it demonstrates a commitment on behalf of youth workers to remain informed about best practices and new developments in order to better serve young people.

Pro tip: When considering a youth worker certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly to ensure that it is accredited and meets the standards for professional development in your state. Additionally, look into the cost of obtaining the certification and how long it will take to complete.

Related: What does a Youth Worker do?

Top 10 Youth Worker Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Youth Workers today.

1. Certified Youth Worker

Certified Youth Worker (CYW) is a professional credential that provides recognition of skills and knowledge for individuals who work with youth in a variety of settings. The certification is offered by the National Council on Youth Leadership (NCYL), an independent, non-profit organization that promotes excellence in youth leadership and development.

The CYW certification requires applicants to complete a set of core competencies related to working with youth, such as communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making. Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and experience in working with diverse populations of young people. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least two years of paid or volunteer experience working with youth in any capacity.

The CYW certification process takes approximately three months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application form along with the required fee ($150 USD). Once accepted into the program, applicants will be provided with access to online course materials and assessments that they must complete within six weeks. Upon successful completion of the coursework and assessments, applicants will receive their CYW certificate from NCYL.

The cost for the Certified Youth Worker program is $150 USD. This fee covers all course materials and assessments necessary for successful completion of the program.

2. Certified Youth Development Professional

Certified Youth Development Professional (CYDP) is a certification offered by the National Afterschool Association (NAA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to youth development and possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to promote positive youth outcomes. The CYDP certification is intended for those working in out-of-school time programs, including after school programs, summer camps, and other youth-serving organizations.

The CYDP certification takes approximately six months to complete. To get certified, applicants must first complete an application form with their contact information, education history, and professional experience. Once approved, applicants must take a comprehensive online exam that covers topics such as program management, youth development principles, leadership development strategies, and more. In addition to passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from supervisors or colleagues in the field of youth development.

The cost of the CYDP certification varies depending on whether you are an NAA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $150; for non-members it is $200.

3. Certified Juvenile Justice Professional

Certified Juvenile Justice Professional (CJJP) is a professional certification offered by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of juvenile justice. The CJJP credential is intended to provide recognition for those who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field.

To become certified as a CJJP, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a minimum of two years of full-time experience working in juvenile justice or related fields; completion of an APPA-approved training program; and passing an examination administered by the APPA. The exam covers topics such as juvenile justice system structure and operations, youth development principles, legal issues, risk assessment and management, community resources, and evidence-based practices.

The cost for the CJJP certification varies depending on whether you are an APPA member or non-member. For members, it costs $200 for the application fee plus $150 for the exam fee. For non-members, it costs $350 for both fees combined. It typically takes about four to six weeks to complete the process from start to finish.

4. Certified Prevention Specialist

Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) is a credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the prevention of substance abuse, mental health issues, and other related topics. The certification is offered by the National Council for Certified Prevention Specialists (NCCPS).

To become a Certified Prevention Specialist, applicants must meet certain criteria. This includes having a minimum of two years of documented work or volunteer experience in the field of prevention or related services; completion of an approved coursework program; and passing an NCCPS-administered exam.

The cost to become certified varies depending on the program chosen. Generally, the cost includes application fees, course fees, and exam fees. The total cost can range from $400 to $1,000 or more.

The process typically takes about six months to complete. After submitting all required documents and completing the necessary coursework, applicants must then take and pass the NCCPS-administered exam before they can be officially certified as a CPS.

5. Certified Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Specialist

Certified Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Specialists (CCBH) are professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health conditions in children and adolescents. They have expertise in working with young people to address issues related to behavior, emotions, social functioning, learning, development, and family dynamics. CCBHs provide individualized care that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child or adolescent.

It typically takes two years of full-time study to become a CCBH. This includes completing a master’s degree in psychology or a related field with an emphasis on child and adolescent mental health. After completing their degree program, individuals must then pass an exam administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Once certified, they must complete continuing education courses every two years to maintain their certification.

The cost of becoming a CCBH can vary significantly depending on the type of degree program chosen and other factors such as residency status. The cost of tuition alone can range from $25,000-$50,000 for a two-year master's program. In addition to tuition costs, there may also be fees associated with taking the NBCC exam as well as any continuing education courses required for recertification.

6. Certified School Social Worker

Certified School Social Worker (CSSW) is a credential that is earned by professionals who have completed an approved program of study in the field of school social work. This certification is offered by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

To become a Certified School Social Worker, individuals must first obtain a Master's degree in social work from an accredited university or college. Once the degree has been obtained, applicants must pass the NASW's national examination for certification as a School Social Worker. After passing this exam, applicants may then apply for their CSSW credential.

The process of obtaining the CSSW credential typically takes at least two years to complete. Applicants must first earn their Master's degree and then pass the national examination before applying for their certificate.

In order to apply for the CSSW credential, applicants must submit an application form and fee to NASW along with documentation verifying they have met all requirements. The application fee is $150 and includes one year of membership in NASW. After submitting their application and fee, applicants will receive notification from NASW regarding whether or not they have been approved for certification as a School Social Worker.

Once certified, individuals may use the CSSW designation after their name when practicing school social work. In addition, some states may require individuals to hold this certification in order to practice school social work within that state.

7. Certified Community Health Worker

A Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This person links individuals to needed services and helps them navigate the health care system. CHWs also provide direct services such as first aid, blood pressure screenings, health education, and other interventions that promote self-sufficiency.

It typically takes between six months to two years to become certified as a Community Health Worker depending on the state requirements. To become certified, individuals must complete an approved training program and pass an exam. The cost of certification varies by state but can range from $50-$200. In addition, some states may require continuing education credits for renewal of certification.

8. Certified Trauma-Informed Care Provider

Certified Trauma-Informed Care Provider (CTICP) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills needed to provide trauma-informed care. Trauma-informed care is an approach to providing services that acknowledges the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, and works to create a safe, supportive environment in which healing can occur. It involves understanding the history of trauma, recognizing its effects, responding with compassion, and taking steps to prevent further harm.

The CTICP certification is offered by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). To become certified as a CTICP, applicants must have an MSW degree from an accredited university or college, at least two years of post-MSW experience in providing direct social work services related to trauma, and completion of 30 hours of approved continuing education in trauma-informed care. Additionally, applicants must pass an exam administered by NASW.

The cost for becoming certified as a CTICP varies depending upon the applicant's membership status with NASW. For nonmembers, the cost is $375; for members it is $325. The application process typically takes 4–6 weeks from submission to notification of results.

9. Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor

Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor is an 8-hour training program designed to teach participants how to recognize and respond appropriately to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. The program is based on the Mental Health First Aid USA curriculum. It is designed for individuals who are in a position to help others, such as teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, law enforcement officers, and family members.

The Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor training takes approximately 8 hours to complete. During the course, participants learn how to provide initial help in a crisis situation, how to connect individuals with appropriate professional resources, and how to recognize the warning signs of mental health problems. The training also covers topics such as anxiety disorders, depression, substance use disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, self-injury/suicide prevention, trauma-informed care and recovery support services.

To become a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor you must attend an 8-hour instructor training course taught by a certified instructor trainer. The cost of the instructor training varies depending on the organization offering it; however it typically ranges between $200-$400 USD.

10. Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved the highest level of training and experience in the field of substance abuse counseling. The CSAC credential is awarded by the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), an organization dedicated to promoting quality addiction treatment services through certification, education, and advocacy.

The CSAC program requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience as a substance abuse counselor, or equivalent part-time experience. Applicants must also complete at least 180 hours of specialized training in areas such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, counseling techniques, case management, and ethics. In addition, applicants must pass an exam administered by NAADAC.

To become certified as a CSAC, applicants must first submit an application and pay the required fee ($250). Once approved by NAADAC's Certification Board, applicants will be asked to provide proof of their work experience and training hours before taking the exam. After passing the exam and meeting all other requirements for certification, NAADAC will issue a certificate recognizing the individual as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.

The cost for becoming certified as a CSAC varies depending on individual circumstances; however it typically costs between $250-$500 for application fees and exam fees. Additionally there may be additional costs associated with obtaining specialized training or continuing education courses required for recertification every five years.

Do You Really Need a Youth Worker Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their specific goals. For those who are looking to work with youth in any capacity, a youth worker certificate can be very beneficial. It shows employers that you have the necessary qualifications, experience, and training to handle the responsibilities of working with kids. Additionally, having a youth worker certificate can help you stand out from other candidates and make your resume more attractive to potential employers.

On the other hand, if you do not plan on working with youth in any capacity or if you are already working in a related field (such as teaching), then a youth worker certificate may not be necessary for your career path. It is important to consider what type of job you want and if having the certificate would give you an advantage over other applicants.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether or not they need a youth worker certificate. If it is something that will help them reach their goals and improve their prospects, then it may be worth pursuing. However, if it is not essential for the job they desire or their current role in their chosen field, then it may not be necessary for them to obtain one.

Related: Youth Worker Resume Examples

FAQs About Youth Worker Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a youth worker?

Answer: Depending on the country, state, and/or organization, you may need to hold a relevant qualification such as a diploma or degree in social work, counseling, education, or related field. In some cases, you may also need to have obtained specific certifications in youth work.

2. How can I obtain a youth worker certification?

Answer: You can typically obtain a youth worker certification by completing an accredited training program from an educational institution or other approved provider. These programs typically include coursework and practical experience in areas such as child development, communication skills, crisis management and more.

3. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a youth worker certification?

Answer: Yes - most programs will require applicants to have completed at least one year of college-level coursework in human services or related fields before being accepted into the program. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to hold current CPR and First Aid certifications.

4. What is the cost of obtaining a youth worker certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a youth worker certification varies depending on the program and institution offering it; however, it typically ranges between $500-$2000 USD depending on the length of the program and any additional fees that may apply (e.g., exam fees).

5. How long does it take to receive my youth worker certification after completing my training program?

Answer: The amount of time required for your certificate to be issued will vary depending on the institution offering the program; however, it generally takes 4-8 weeks for certificates to be issued once all requirements have been met and all paperwork has been submitted.