Do I need to be certified in order to get a job as a child life specialist?

Most employers require certification. However, some hospitals allow applicants to become certified within a specified amount of time provided they have established eligibility for the certification exam. 

When can I take the certification exam?

After successfully submitting documentation of required coursework, degree completion, and clinical experience (internship) through an eligibility assessment, you will be able to apply to sit for the exam. The exam is offered three times each year in March, August, and November. Each of these testing windows has a corresponding registration deadline. 

How do you maintain the credential and recertify?

Upon passing the certification exam, the individual is granted certification for a 5-year period contingent on the payment of certification maintenance fees. In the fifth year of the cycle, recertification is due. The recertification process requires Certified Child Life Specialists to document knowledge and skill improvement and enhancement in order to support continuing competence. Certified Child Life Specialists may recertify by either retaking the exam or through the accrual of Professional Development Units.

What is the difference between a child life specialist and a child life assistant?

Child life specialist is a position that generally requires certification (Certified Child Life Specialist) and this person has the necessary qualifications to provide clinical care directly to patients. This includes assessments, preparation, and interventions. A child life assistant, sometimes called an activity coordinator, is a position that does not require certification and generally does the non-clinical work within a child life department. This can include providing age-appropriate play, playroom management, volunteer supervision, ordering, coordinating donations, working with special visitors, and other important responsibilities.

What type of information is covered on the exam?

The current exam content outline can be found here.

Where can I take the certification exam?

Computer-based examinations are delivered through ISO Quality Testing (IQT), to provide globally dispersed examinees with a secure, high-quality, accessible, and user-friendly testing experience. IQT maintains relationships with commercial testing centers with personnel specifically trained to administer examinations. ACLP does not control the location of testing centers; they are determined by IQT.

IQT maintains a network of more than 300 testing centers worldwide. Testing center locations.

What are the most recent annual statistics?

In 2024, 608 exams were administered with 61% resulting in a passing score. The total exams and percent passing includes new and retake candidates as well as certificants using the exam to recertify. As of December 31, 2024, there were 6,854 certificants.