CPST Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CPST facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Before a premature or low-birth-weight infant is discharged from the NICU, what car seat evaluation is recommended? → A car seat tolerance screening or car seat challenge test
2. How often should child safety seats be inspected? → Regularly and after incidents
3. For a forward-facing car seat, harness shoulder straps should be routed through slots positioned: → At or above the child's shoulders
4. Why are aftermarket harness accessories (such as strap covers or added padding) generally not recommended by CPSTs? → They have not been crash-tested with the specific seat and may alter harness performance
5. Which of the following best describes when a harness slot change is needed as a child grows in a convertible car seat used forward-facing? → Change to a higher slot when the child's shoulders rise above the current slot level
6. When a harness shoulder strap repeatedly slides off a child's shoulder, the most likely cause is: → The harness slots are at the wrong height for the child
7. Which federal agency has authority over child restraint safety standards in the United States? → National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
8. Which resource provides CPSTs with the most current and comprehensive list of child restraint recalls in the U.S.? → NHTSA's safercar.gov recall database
9. Which of the following is the MOST common misuse associated with belt-positioning booster seats? → Improper placement of the vehicle's shoulder and/or lap belt.
10. Why is it important to stay updated on installation techniques? → To comply with evolving safety requirements
11. Which of the following is a critical rule regarding the placement of a rear-facing car seat in a vehicle? → It must never be placed in a seating position with an active frontal airbag.
12. How should a CPST check that a rear-facing harness is snug enough on a newborn? → Perform the pinch test — no webbing should be pinchable at the collarbone
13. What is the purpose of a rolled cloth or pool noodle placed under the front of a rear-facing car seat base? → To achieve the correct recline angle when the vehicle seat is too flat
14. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and NHTSA best practice recommendations, a child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they: → Reach the highest weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacturer.
15. Which method is effective for educating parents about child safety? → Hands-on demonstrations
16. If a vehicle's speed doubles from 30 mph to 60 mph, by what factor do the crash forces increase? → They quadruple (4x).
17. A caregiver wants to donate their expired child restraint to a charity. What should a CPST advise? → Destroy the seat so it cannot be used and cannot pose a safety risk
18. What is the role of inspection in child passenger safety? → To ensure safe restraint system use
19. What is the correct way to install a child safety seat? → Following instructions and securing tightly
20. Why is it unsafe to leave a child in a heavy winter coat while secured in a harness? → The coat compresses in a crash, creating dangerous harness slack
21. Who enforces child passenger safety laws? → Law enforcement and safety technicians
22. Which of the following is TRUE about using head inserts or head support padding in infant car seats? → Only inserts that came with the seat or are approved by the manufacturer should be used
23. When positioning the harness straps for a child in a rear-facing car seat, which of the following is correct? → The straps should be positioned at or just below the child's shoulders.
24. Why should children never be placed in the front seat with an active airbag? → Airbags can injure children
25. Where should the harness chest clip (retainer clip) be positioned on a child in a car seat? → At armpit level
26. Why do child restraints have expiration dates? → Plastic and materials degrade over time, reducing structural integrity
27. How long is a typical child restraint's useful life from the date of manufacture? → 6 to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer's specification
28. At what recline angle should most rear-facing infant seats be positioned to keep a newborn's airway open? → Approximately 30 to 45 degrees from vertical, as specified by the manufacturer
29. What is the recommended car seat position for a healthy full-term newborn leaving the hospital? → Rear-facing in a rear-facing-only or convertible seat
30. How tight should the harness straps be on a child safety seat? → Snug with no pinchable slack