Per Senate Bill 576 of the 2010 Session of the General Assembly, all Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners (RCYCP), formerly known as “residential child care workers”, employed in the State of Maryland will be required to be certified by the State Board for the Certification of Residential Child Care Program Professionals (the Board) on or before October 1, 2015 unless:

1. the RCYCP is an employee of the Maryland School for the Blind who is a residential child and youth care practitioner and holds a current paraprofessional certificate. (Health Occupations Article §20-301 (i)).
2. the RCYCP is participating in a Board-approved training program that leads to certification within 180 days of hire. Health Occupations Article §20-301 (ii)

To become certified, RCYCP’s must participate in a Board-approved training program and pass an online Standards Examination with a minimum score of 75%.  The purpose of the training program is to provide a fundamental working knowledge of the varied aspects of performing the direct responsibilities related to activities of daily living, self-help, and socialization to children and youth in residential child care programs. 

After October 1, 2015, RCYCP’s will have 180 days from the date of hire to become certified as a practitioner.

The only exception to the requirement for completion of a Residential Child and Youth Care Training Program and taking the Standards Examination is:

• A RCYCP that can present satisfactory evidence to the Board that he/she has worked as an RCYCP in the State for at least two consecutive years prior to October 1, 2015 can be grandparented/ grandfathered in and will receive their certification without participation in an approved training program or taking the Standards Examination.  This certification will be contingent upon meeting the non- examination requirements contained in the application for certification.

The only exception that allows an individual to take the Standards Examination without completing a training program is:

• An applicant who has an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may take the Standards Examination without participating in a training program.  If the applicant fails the examination, then participation in a training program may be required

Any individual with a disability may request, pursuant to COMAR 10.57.03.07 E, modifications in examination materials or procedures upon written request to the State Board.

Please Note: All RCYCP candidates will complete a minimum of 10 hours of On Site Program Orientation.   This orientation is a required component of the RCYCP Certification Training process.  The orientation shall consist of an on-site private provider orientation to program policies and procedures, the program culture, professional boundaries, and job shadowing.  A certified RCYCP Program Administrator will be required to sign a document that confirms participation in the orientation.  The On Site Program Orientation form is part of the RCYCP Certification application.​