Everything You Need to Know About the Child Life Exam 2025

certified child life specialist exam

The Child Life Exam 2025 is a specialized exam for child life specialists, and there are a few things that you need to know to get a good score on it. Read on to find out everything you need to know, including tips for passing the test, dates, costs, and more.

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Child Life Exam Questions and Answers

What is a child life specialist?

Pediatric healthcare professionals, known as child life specialists, work with kids and families in hospitals and other settings to help them deal with the difficulties of being hospitalized, ill, or disabled.

How to become a child life specialist?

Child life specialists require a bachelor’s degree in child psychology, child life, or a closely related discipline of human development. Some individuals could decide to continue their education by pursuing a master’s of science in child life studies or a closely connected discipline.

What does a child life specialist do?

Child life specialists assist children and their families as they deal with disease, injury, disability, trauma, or hospitalization.

How much do child life specialists make?

The average salary for child life specialists is $45,000 to $70,000 annually, with a median salary of $56,500 as of October 2025.

What degree does a child life specialist need?

Child life experts hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree at the very least, focusing on psychology, education, human growth, and development, or a closely related field of study.

Where do child life specialists work?

Child life specialists typically work in hospitals, but they may also find employment in hospices, dental offices, schools, summer camps, and perhaps even in patients’ homes.

What do child life specialists wear?

You can dress professionally or wear scrubs that coordinate with the child life specialists in Caribbean Blue. It is highly advised to use silent shoes that are comfortable on tile flooring.

Do you have to retake the child life exam?

To support ongoing competence, the recertification process mandates that Certified Child Life Specialists track their knowledge and skill growth over five years.

How is child life certification exam scored?

On a pass-fail basis, the Child Life Specialist exam is graded. Test takers will receive their results by mail within four to six weeks.

How to prepare for child life exam?

  • Study; it’s in your best interest. Avoid entering unprepared.
  • Look after yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough rest, exercise, and healthy food. These factors are all related to brain function, according to science. Maintaining your physical health will benefit your academic performance.
  • Purchase a study manual or deck of flashcards. Certain study methods work well for some people. Make the most of your study strengths by identifying them.

Is the child life specialist exam hard?

A thorough test preparation is necessary to pass the highly difficult Child Life Professional Certification Exam.

What happens when i pass the child life exam?

You can practice as a qualified child life specialist for five years after passing the child life exam (CCLS).

Child Life Certification Exam

A child life certification exam is an exam that tests a candidate’s knowledge and skills in the field. The exam is administered by the Child Life Certification Commission. It is designed to test the candidate’s understanding of child development concepts, professional responsibilities, and assessment.

Applicants who wish to be certified as a child life specialist must first complete an internship. This internship will provide a student with experience in a wide range of child life practices. In addition to the internship, the ACLP also requires candidates to pass a certification exam.

The Child Life Professional Certification Exam has a four hour time limit. Each test contains 150 multiple-choice questions. Applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70 percent in order to be certified. To prepare for the exam, candidates can use the Child Life Certification Commission study guide. These materials include an exam information pamphlet, a webinar, and a 50 question online quiz.

Several annual conferences are held for child life professionals. Candidates can attend one of these conferences and meet with other professionals.

Child Life Specialist Exam

Child life specialists are health professionals who offer services to patients and families, usually in a hospital setting. They are trained in providing evidence-based interventions. These interventions may include therapeutic play, bereavement support, and preparation for medical procedures.

A child life specialist’s job is to help children and their parents understand how to cope during and after their illnesses. They also provide comfort positioning and distraction during medical procedures. Using their training, they can bring hope to children in the darkest moments.

In order to become a certified child life specialist, you will need to complete a course, pass a certification exam, and gain clinical experience. Some schools even offer scholarships to students who plan to work in this field.

The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) offers a variety of study materials and testing material. For example, the child life exam entails 150 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of child life concepts.

The Child Life Practicum Program is a unique program that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations. Students in this program may rotate through pediatric outpatient and emergency rooms, as well as pediatric intensive care units.

Child Life Specialist Exam Practice Questions

If you’re interested in becoming a child life specialist, you will need to prepare for the Child Life exam. It is a content-driven test, with questions focusing on three fundamental areas. These include professional responsibilities, developmental theories, and interventions.

The test is administered twice a year. To prepare, it’s best to take a practice test, which will help you develop a strong study strategy. This is particularly important because you may have to retake the test several times if you want to get a good score.

There are also a variety of study guides available. This includes the official Child Life Certification Commission study guide and a 50 question online quiz.

You’ll also want to check out the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) website, which has a wealth of information about the field. The website is an excellent resource, especially for those considering the certification path.

While a test isn’t the only way to earn a credential in child life, the exam is one of the best ways to prove your expertise. If you have a bachelor’s degree and an internship or practicum in child life, you should be ready to sit for the certification exam.

Child Life Certification Exam Pass Rate

If you are considering working with children and families in healthcare settings, then a certification in Child Life is the right choice for you. These professionals can provide support to infants, children, and their families in hospital, hospice, and outpatient care facilities.

The certification process includes an eligibility assessment, documentation of coursework, and an application for the exam. In addition, you will need to secure a clinical internship.

The eligibility requirement for the Child Life Professional Certification Examination is based on a student’s educational background and clinical experiences. For example, students with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development, Family Science, or Psychology are ideal candidates. They may also have extensive child development experience, which makes them stronger applicants.

Students who are interested in pursuing a Master’s Degree in Child Life should consider a program that has been approved by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP). This organization is an excellent resource for information about the field, and its requirements.

The UCSB PaCE’s Child Life program combines a strong academic background in child development and family science with hands-on opportunities to apply theory in a health care setting. Courses are delivered online, and students are taught by Certified Child Life Specialists.

ACLP Child Life Certification Exam Study Guide

The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) is a national organization that offers an educational program and certification in the field of child life. Its website is filled with useful information and resources.

In order to qualify for the exam, you must have completed a Bachelor’s degree, a 600-hour internship, and a passing score on the certification examination. Depending on the type of certification, you will be able to take the test once a year in either the spring or fall.

The ACLP offers study materials to help prepare you for the exam. However, it’s not enough to know the material. You’ll need a study guide that’s written in everyday language, and contains information on topics that will be covered on the test.

For example, the CCLS test includes 150 questions. You’ll need to complete four hours of testing to answer all of them. These questions will test your knowledge of the field.

Taking the Child Life Professional Certification Examination is not something you should rush into. It’s a serious test of your expertise in this specialized field.

ACLP Child Life Exam

The Child Life Professional Certification Examination is a rigorous test that tests a candidate’s knowledge and proficiency in child life concepts and practices. This four-hour exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions. If a candidate is able to pass, he or she will receive a certificate valid for five years.

To take the ACLP, candidates must first establish their eligibility by completing the Eligibility Assessment, which includes a review of course equivalency and clinical experience. Once eligibility is confirmed, they must study for the exam.

In addition to completing the Eligibility Assessment, a student must also complete an internship, which is a 600-hour requirement. During this time, the student is required to perform 50 to 100 hours of volunteer work.

As a result, there are a number of schools offering coursework for students interested in pursuing a career as a child life specialist. Miami University offers a number of courses designed to prepare graduates for a career in this field.

The Association of Childlife Professionals (ACLP) has a wealth of information and resources for prospective and current child life professionals. Among its many offerings is an online CCLS certification program, which includes a series of asynchronous classes designed to bolster students’ preparation for the exam.

Child Life Certification Exam Cost

Obtaining a child life certification is a necessary step for those who want to work in the field. The certification serves as proof of your knowledge and experience in the field and can increase your chances of getting hired.

A Certified Child Life Professional (CCLP) is recognized nationally as a mark of excellence in the field. To become a CCLP, you must complete a child life internship and pass a certification exam. In addition, you must have a minimum of three years of professional practice.

CCLPs provide emotional and clinical support for children and their families. They help them cope with illnesses and other stressors. Their skills can also be used to assist children in hospital settings, schools, hospice care and court systems.

To be a certified child life specialist, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree. After you have earned the degree, you can register for the CCLS exam. The exam tests your professional expertise and knowledge of child development. There are 150 questions to answer on the exam.

After passing the CCLS examination, you may recertify to continue working as a child life specialist. You can recertify every five years, at which time you will be required to retake the CCLS exam.

Child Life Certification Exam Dates

The Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) administers a certification exam to measure a candidate’s knowledge and comprehension of the profession. To qualify for this exam, candidates must meet eligibility requirements, submit required documentation, and pass the examination. This exam is administered twice a year, in May and November.

The ACLP website is a resource for all things child life, from professional publications to research. It provides information on the profession, its training and certification, and answers to questions about the profession.

Candidates are encouraged to read the Candidate Manual before taking the exam. This is a printer-friendly document that contains all the information you need to know about applying for the exam, including eligibility requirements.

If you plan to take the Child Life certification exam, arrive at the testing center early. You will not be permitted to make up time you missed while away from the testing center.

Candidates are allowed to bring as few items as possible to the test site. For example, you may not bring beverages. However, you may use the restroom and water fountain.