Maryland Department of Health
Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals

FAQ: CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE AND YOUTH CARE PRACTITIONERS

​​1. How do I know if I need to become certified as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (RCYCP)?

    • Individuals who are assigned to perform the direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program licensed by the Department of Human Services, Department of Juvenile Services or the Department of Health are required to become certified.

​​2. What are the requirements to become certified as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner (RCYCP)?

    • To qualify for a certificate as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner, an individual shall meet the following requirements.  The individual shall submit to the State Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals:
      • A notarized Application for Certification provided by the Board;
      • The $50.00 application fee set forth in COMAR 10.57.07;
      • Be either 21 years old with a minimum high school diploma or equivalent or at least 18 years old with an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and
      • Evidence the applicant:​
      1. Has completed a State and National criminal history records check
      2. Has completed a Consent for Release of Information/Child Protective Services Background Clearance
      3. Has read and signed the Noncriminal Justice Applicants Privacy Rights, the Federal Privacy Act Statement and the Applicant Record Notification forms.
      4. Has successfully completed a Board approved RCYCP Training program.
      5. Has completed a minimum of 10 hours of “On Site Program Orientation"
      6. Has passed the RCYCP Standards Examination ​

​​​​3. What does it mean to submit evidence of State and National Criminal History Records Check or Child Protective Services Background Clearance?

    • All Applicants must go to a Live-Scan Fingerprints Provider to have an official criminal history records check completed.  Applicants must use the 
      authorization code provided by the Board so that the Board receives the report  directly form the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) and Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The Board will only accept reports from CJIS, not from the applicant or from the agency where they work.
       
    • All applicants must submit a Child Protective Services Background Clearance by completing the Consent for Release of Information/Background Clearance Request form and submitting it directly to the Board along with the application or to their local Department of Social Services (formerly DHR) office in the jurisdiction where you reside.  Applicants must also request a clearance from each state where he/she has resided in the past 10 years.​

​​4. How do I prepare for the Standards Exam?

​​5. Who is required to participate in a Board Approved RCYCP Training Program in order to obtain certification as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner?

    • An individual that is employed in the State of Maryland as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner as of October 1, 2015 and has not worked in this role
      for at least two consecutive years and does not have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required to participate in a Board Approved RCYCP Training Program that is provided by the University of Maryland School of Social Work – Institute for Innovation and Implementation.  (Please Note: Although the training program is not required for these individuals noted, it is highly recommended that all individuals complete the training program, as the study guide and comprehensive exam are based on the training program materials.) The training program is free to access on the University's website (https://theinstitute.umaryland.edu)

​6. What qualifies as a Board Approved RCYCP Training Program?
    • The following qualifies as a Board Approved Training Program:
    1. The Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training created by the University Of Maryland School Of Social Work – Institute for Innovation and Implementation. 

​​7. ​If I accept a position as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner and do not have an Associate's Degree or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, what should I do?

    • ​Effective October 1, 2015, all employees have 180 days (six months) from the date of hire to become certified as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner. New hires without a college degree shall complete the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training created by the University of Maryland School of Social Work – Institute for Innovation and Implementation

​8. What steps should I take to obtain certification?

    • The individual should submit the following to the State Board:
      • A notarized application on the form provided by the Board;
      • The $50.00 application fee set forth in COMAR 10.57; and
      • Evidence the applicant:

1)      Has completed a State and National criminal history records Check.

2)      Has read, signed and dated the following three forms:

            1. Non-Criminal Justice Applicants Privacy Rights
            2. Federal Privacy Act Statement
            3. Applicant Record Notification

3)      Has completed a Consent for Release of Information Child Protective Services Clearance.

4)      Has created a profile and completed a State-approved RCYCP Training Program

5)      Has completed a minimum of 10 hours of On Site Program Orientation


​9. When can I begin the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training Program?
    • ​The individual can begin the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training Program at any time. Upon submission of all required application documents and completion of the training program, the individual will be approved by the State Board to take the Comprehensive Examination.  The individual will be provided with further instructions on test dates and locations.​
​​​10. ​If I accept a position as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner and have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, what should I do to obtain my certification?
    • ​If you have an Associate's or Bachelor's degree you are not required to participate in a training program. (Please Note: Although the training program is not required for these individuals noted, it is highly recommended that all individuals complete the training program, as the study guide and comprehensive exam are based on the training program materials.)  Individuals shall submit the following to the State Board:
       
      • A notarized application on the form provided by the Board;
      • The $50.00 application fee set forth in COMAR 10.57; and
      • Evidence the applicant:

1)      Has completed a State and National criminal history records Check.

2)      Has read, signed and dated the following three forms:

            1. Non-Criminal Justice Applicants Privacy Rights
            2. Federal Privacy Act Statement
            3. Applicant Record Notification

3)      Has completed a Consent for Release of Information Child Protective Services Clearance.

4)      Has completed a profile on the Institute for Innovation and Implementation at the University of Maryland School of Social Work State website in order to take the exam. (https://theinstitute.umaryland.edu/).

5)      Has completed a minimum of 10 hours of On Site Program Orientation

Upon receipt of completed information, the individual will be approved by the State Board to take the Comprehensive Examination.  Further instructions on test dates and locations will be provided upon approval of application.

​​11. ​​​How much does it cost to take the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training Program and Comprehensive Examination?

      • ​There is no cost to you to take the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training Program and Exam. There is only a cost to apply for certification and recertification.

  ​​12. Do I have to complete the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training Program ? 

      • Yes, you are only exempt if you have an Associate or Bachelor's degree and decide against taking the online training. (Please Note: Although the training program is not required for these individuals noted, it is highly recommended that all individuals complete the training program, as the study guide and comprehensive exam are based on the training program materials.)​  

​“APPLICATION PROCESS AND COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION"

 

​​​13. How long does it take to process my application for certification?
      • Once all required documents are received and approved by the Board staff, the application shall be processed.

14. How do I prepare for the Comprehensive Exam?

      • A study guide is available on the Board's website. 

​15. ​Can I work unsupervised with children without certification?

      • The Board does not have authority over individuals until they become certified with the Board.  Please follow your agency and contractual regulations as it relates to working unsupervised with children"?

16. What is the passing score on the Comprehensive Exam?

      • The passing score must be 75%

17. How many times can I take the Comprehensive Exam?

      • The Comprehensive Exam is offered several times throughout the month at the Board office and private provider agencies can become approved by the Board to proctor the exam at their locations.   The individual may take the exam as often as necessary; however, you must pass the exam within 180 days (six months) of hire.

18. After passing the exam, how long will it take to become certified?

      • All candidates who receive a passing score and have been cleared of any outstanding criminal history review are certified within 48 hours of passing the examination.​

19. What happens if I have not submitted all of the required documents within 180 days?

    • ​Your application will be administratively closed. If your application is closed you will have to reapply by sending in a new application and fee.

​20. How does my certification impact COMAR requirements?

    • ​Your certification does not impact COMAR requirements. You are still required to complete 20 hours of continuing education units every 2 years.  (COMAR 10.57.03.10)

​​21. If I become certified as a Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioner and leave my agency will I be required to take the Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners Online Training Program and Comprehensive Examination again?

      • The certificate issued by the State is valid for two years. 

​22. If I work part-time or only during the summer months, am I required to become certified?

      • Individuals who are assigned to perform the direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization skills in a residential child care program licensed by the Department of Human Resources, Department of Juvenile Services or the Department of Health are required to become certified.

“FEES"

​23. What is the cost for Initial Certification? 

        • The cost of initial certification is $50.00​​



​​


​​