CPSI Class & Exam

Date: November 4-6, 2026 (Test Date is Friday, November 6, 2026)

Location: Robert J. DiPietro Community Center (7901 Cypress St, Laurel, MD 20707)

Additional Details:

CPSI Course CEUs: 1.5

Course Check-In Time: 

• Course Days: Between 7:15 AM and 7:45 AM (Course Instruction will begin promptly at 8:00 AM)
• Exam Day:  9:00 am to 11:30 am (check-in from 8:00 am- 8:45 am). The exam begins promptly at 9:00 am.

Important Notes:

• A light breakfast and lunch will be provided on the first two days.
• Bring your own pen/pencil/highlighter for class.
• A state issued ID or passport is required for exam admission.
• Individuals sitting for the CPSI exam must be 18 years of age or older and have a high school diploma/equivalent.
• We are unable to offer refunds or credits for this program.
• Tracking of CEUs and CEU documents is the responsibility of the certified professional.

Topics include:

• Identifying hazards on playgrounds
• Developing risk management tools
• Importance of a comprehensive playground safety program from a legal perspective
• CPSC guidelines review
• ASTM standard analysis
• Test methods for entrapment, protrusions and entanglement

Course Materials: 

Course materials developed especially for this course are included in the course registration fee and will be mailed to all participants who pre-register. Those who register after October 1st may not receive their materials two weeks prior to class. It is not recommended taking the exam if you have not had the materials at least 4 weeks prior to the course.  Course materials will be mailed on or around September 1, 2026.

Latin American Spanish translations are now available for the CPSI Exam and Public Playground Safety Standards and Guidelines book (available for in-person and blended learning course only). Please request during the registration process.

Special Testing Accommodations:

All participants requesting special accommodations must submit the Special Accommodations form to NRPA at least 45 calendar days prior to your exam date.

All ESL Accommodation Request Forms must be submitted to NRPA at least 2 weeks prior to the examination date.

CPSI Recertification Policy FAQs (NEW UPDATE!)

Anyone with an expiration date of July 1, 2026, or later will have two options for renewal of certification: 

• Sitting for and passing the CPSI Exam OR
• Successfully completing 2.0 CEUs in playground safety during the three-year certification cycle and submitting a completed CEU recertification application to NRPA.
  

Have questions? Check out the NRPA FAQ page to learn more.

What happens after the course and exam?

All questions regarding CEU verification and exam results should be addressed directly with the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).  Please email: certification@nrpa.org.  The MRPA office does not have access to view the status or results of your exam.

If you need to retake the exam, please look at your options on the NRPA website.

Parking:

Free Parking On-Site

Nearby Hotel:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Laurel by IHG (2-minute drive)
• Fairfield Inn Laurel (2-minute drive)
• Comfort Inn Laurel - Fort Meade (2-minute drive)

For questions, please contact the MRPA office.

Lauren Davis (info@mdrpa.org)

301-352-7203

Di Quynn Reno (dquynnreno@mdrpa.org)