Event Flyer - flyer to be posted after July 1, 2025

Event Registration - registration will go live in July

About the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Program

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 200,000 children are treated annually for playground equipment-related injuries. Of these, 74-percent, or 148,000 involve public playground equipment. Many of these accidents could have been prevented. National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) major initiative in raising playground safety awareness is the administration of the Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) training and certification program. The CPSI course is designed to properly train individuals to recognize and prevent potential playground hazards.

The CPSI course is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods that is offered today. Advanced reading and 15 hours of training will prepare you to take the CPSI exam scheduled at the culmination of the certification course.

CPSI Eligibility Requirement is age 18 and over.

To gain admission to the examination, a candidate needs to present one form of identification. ID must be a valid Government-issued ID with photo and signature.   The information provided on the certification application must match the candidate's name on the identification. The candidate will also be required to sign a roster for verification of identity.  Acceptable forms of identification 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.

Who Should Attend

• Parks and Recreation Agencies
• Playground Equipment Representatives
• Playground Operators

What You Will Learn

• On-site playground inspection (Wednesday afternoon, weather dependent)
• Identifying Hazards
• Specific Safety Concerns
• Standards and Guidelines
• Risk Management
• Accessibility
• Surfacing
• Design Safety

Thank you to Mark Boland of Boland Recreation who is our title sponsor!

Dates for 2025: Tuesday, November 18 - 8AM - 5PM / Wednesday, November 19 - 8AM - 5PM / Thursday, November 20 - 9:00-11AM (closed book exam day)

Location: Courtyard by Marriott, Ankeny Iowa - 2405 SE Creekview Dr, Ankeny, IA 50021

Hotel Block:  Certified Playground Safety Inspector

Earn 1.5 CEU's towards CPRP/E

For additional information, contact Kelly Johnson Rose, 641-325-2164 or kelly@iapra.org

Course materials will be sent via U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail three (3) weeks prior to first day of class

Cancellations are not permitted for this course. Fees cannot be applied to future a course. Substitutions will be permitted

Registration Deadline Wednesday, October 15, 2025

If you are not a current paid IPRA member, you will register as a guest.  

Only credit card payments are being accepted at this time.

*Changes coming for Certified Playground Safety Inspectors (CPSIs) Renewal!

Anyone with an expiration date of July 1, 2026, or later will have options for renewal of your certification. Beginning July 1, 2026, you may renew in one of a few ways.  More information to come as the July 1, 2026 date approaches.

• 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

    OR

• If an individual completes both the CPSI Course and the Playground Maintenance Course during their certification cycle, they will meet their needed CEU requirements for renewal