Registration for the CPSI course includes the purchase of the course materials.  Course materials include (A) "Certified Playground Safety Inspector: Course Manual (2026)" and (B) "Field Guide: Public Safety Standards and Guidelines (2026)."  The Field Guide includes (C) a USB of "Playground Safety is No Accident (Sixth Edition)."

Course materials are mailed via USPS priority mail to each course registrant approximately 4-6 weeks in advance of the CPSI course to the address on file at the time of registration.  Once a shipment is initiated, the registrant will receive an automated email from "no-reply@pb.com" with a subject line of "A shipment from the California Park and Recreation Society is on its way" providing the USPS tracking number -- don't forget to check your spam/junk for this message.

If course materials are returned to the CPRS HQ office, we will reach out to the registrant to discuss shipping the materials to an alternative address for an additional $20.  Expedited delivery may be requested at cost.  
If the course materials are not delivered successfully (i.e., not received by the registrant nor returned to the CPRS HQ office), the registrant may purchase the course materials a la carte (see below).  In the event the original set of materials are located, you may pursue a refund of $125 if the materials are still in their plastic covering and are returned to the CPRS HQ office (7971 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95832).  Upon receipt of the materials, we will reach out to initiate the refund.  

Expedited shipment of course materials may be requested at your own expense. Expedited shipping typically ranges from $25 - 50 depending on the delivery address. To expedite your shipment, please call CPRS HQ at (916) 665-2777 to either pay over the phone with a card or initiate an invoice.

Purchasing Course Materials

Registration for any CPSI course includes the course materials, however, the materials may also be purchased a la carte.  Anyone may purchase a set of course materials from CPRS for $125 plus $20 for shipping. You may wish to purchase materials for a variety of reasons like studying for the exam without taking the course or updating the copies you keep on file in your office.

To purchase a set of course materials a la carte, please contact CPRS HQ at cprs@cprs.org or (916) 665-2777 to either pay over the phone with a card or initiate an invoice.

Course Materials When Registration is Transferred From One Individual to Another 

In the event of a transfer, the original registrant may choose to handover their course materials to the transferred registrant at their own expense.  A new set of course material books will not automatically be sent to the transferred student.  An additional set of course material books may be purchased for $125 plus $20 for standard shipping (or expedited shipping at cost).  

While the CPSI course is highly recommended for first-time candidates, it is not required prior to sitting for the CPSI exam.

In the event you take the exam and do not successfully pass, you are able to retake the exam. Initial exams and retakes are the same price.

Exam Only Registration

Each CPSI course hosted by CPRS includes an option to register for the exam only. If you register for the exam only as part of an in-person session, the paper-based exam will occur at the date and time as described for that in-person session. If you register for the exam only as part of a virtual CPSI session, you will receive an email with instructions to schedule a computer-based exam at a local testing center.

Exam

NRPA will email you instructions to schedule your computer-based exam with a local PSI Test Center about 2 - 3 weeks before your virtual course date. Please check spam/junk folders for this email. You may not schedule your exam prior to receiving this email.  Upon receipt, you may schedule your exam immediately, prior to completing the live instruction. 

Results of computer-based exams will be available immediately following completion of the exam; there will be a 3 - 4 week delay between completion of the exam and notice of re/certification from NRPA. For more information about PSI Testing Centers, rescheduling exams, requesting accommodations, and other exam inquires, you can visit the NRPA website to access the CPSI Candidate Handbook.

Important Notice

Exam candidates must present a valid government-issued ID with photo and signature to be admitted to the exam. You will not be permitted to take the exam unless the name you provided at registration (as shown in your confirmation email) exactly matches the name on the ID you present on exam day. If there is any discrepancy, please contact us immediately at cprs@cprs.org or call (916) 665-2777.  The exam candidate will also be required to sign a roster for verification of identity.  Acceptable forms of ID with photo and signature include: a current driver's license, a current state identification card, a current passport, or a current military identification card.  Employment ID cards, student ID cards, and any type of temporary identification are not acceptable.