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Who We Are
The Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC), a 501(c)(6) non-profit, is the governing body responsible for overseeing the Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credentialing program.
Dedicated to maintaining the integrity and quality of the certification process, the CLCC ensures professional standards in the child life field.
What We Do
The CLCC has authority for making decisions regarding all essential certification activities. This includes decision-making and policies related to things such as:
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Eligibility requirements
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Certification standards
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Child Life Certification Exam development and administration
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Disciplinary actions for certification-related matters
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Accredited Certification Program
On September 16, 2024, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the Child Life Certification Commission's (CLCC) Certified Child Life Specialist credential program for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs.
NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. The NCCA Standards were created in 1977 and updated in 2016 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. The CLCC joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. More information on the NCCA is available online.
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Evolution of the CLCC
The CLCC has not always been separate from ACLP. In the beginning, the CLCC was a committee within ACLP. Over time, the CLCC evolved into a 501(c)6 non-profit with its leadership structure and governance.
Why the shift to the CLCC in 2018?
This shift was necessary to achieve the strategic goal of accreditation from the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA). This accreditation is important because it enhances a certification program’s credibility and legitimacy, increases the value and stature of a program, and provides accountability and validity. Overall, it is a mark of high quality in the world of certification.
Why the shift to a separate 501(c)6 in 2022?
In 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially recognized CLCC as a 501(c)6 under the parent organization ACLP, a 501(c)3. According to the IRS, certification dues are considered Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) and cause major tax penalties annually for ACLP. However, certification dues are exempt from tax penalties under 501(c)6 IRS rules. ACLP’s accountant and audit firm advised that it would be in our best interest to have this structure changed for tax reasons. This new structure means the CLCC has a separate governing board, bylaws, policies, and budgets.
The timeline showcases the major changes to the CLCC.
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CLCC Policies Manual
The Child Life Certification Commission does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. All candidates for certification will be judged solely on the criteria determined by CLCC.
The CLCC Policies Manual is composed of five sections:
- Governance Policies
- Certification Policies
- Candidate Policies
- CCLS Policies
- Administrative Policies
Volunteer with CLCC
Volunteering with the CLCC is an opportunity to directly impact the child life certification credential, build new skills, and develop your leadership ability all while giving back to the larger child life community.
Applications will be accepted and processed in sequential order. All volunteers are required to be in good standing with the CLCC when applying and throughout their term commitment.
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CCLS Connection Newsletter
The Certification Communications Committee is charged with communicating with the public regarding the certification program, including publication of the CCLS newsletter. The CCLS Connection usually contains the following:
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Message from the Child Life Certification Commission Chairperson
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Important Dates to Remember
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Certification Program Update and Highlights
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Feature Articles