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Receiving Test Results
Before leaving the testing center, individuals will receive a preliminary score report. The scores will be subjected to a statistical analysis and there is a very slight chance that they will change. If there is a change to a score, the individual will be notified. Once your results are posted in your ACLP Online User Profile, they are considered final.
Please note that for the March 2024 exam administration only, candidates will not receive their scores immediately, but rather will need to wait between 6-8 weeks for their results.
The purpose of the Child Life Professional Certification Exam is to measure an individual’s performance compared to a specific criterion (the established passing score as defined by subject matter experts), this is called a criterion-referenced exam. This type of exam is not intended to measure a range of levels of competence, but rather to confirm that an individual meets a minimum level of competence.
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Certificate
Official certificates will be sent approximately four weeks after the close of the test administration window. The contact information in your ACLP profile will be used to send your certificate. Please ensure your information is up-to-date.
If you do not receive your certificate within 6-8 weeks, please contact certification@childlife.org. If you did not receive your certificate and request a new certificate after six months of passing the exam, a replacement certificate fee will be applied.
CCLS Digital Badge
The Child Life Certification Commission provides Certified Child Life Specialists with a digital badge which will help credential holders inform coworkers, employers, potential employers, and other parties of their achievement.
Approximately 3-4 weeks after the close of the test administration window, individuals will receive an email from Credly/Acclaim with information on claiming your badge.
The CCLS badge can be used in a variety of ways across digital media platforms and provides real-time verification of certification status.
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ACLP Membership
After passing the exam, individuals who are current ACLP Student or Associate Members will be advanced to a Professional level membership at no additional cost.
If an individual is not currently a member, they can join to receive all the benefits and discounts of ACLP Membership.
The Professional level membership fees will apply at their next renewal.
Maintaining Certification
Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLSs) are required to pay certification maintenance fees in order to keep their certification status active. The first payment is due January 31 of the year immediately following the day the Certified Child Life Specialists passed the certification exam.
For example, if you passed the exam in March, August, or November 2023, your first maintenance payment is due on or before January 31, 2024. You will also pay the fee by January 31 of 2025, 2026, and 2027. In 2028, you will not pay a maintenance fee because you will need to recertify in the year in which your certification expires.