Become a Child Restraint Technician

Danielle is an experienced trainer/assessor of child restraint technicians as part of the NZTA’s Child Restraint Programme.
Having trained child restraint technicians (CRTs) throughout New Zealand, as individuals and for organisations, Danielle has the proficiency to train and fully qualify you or your staff.
To become a registered child restraint technician, there are two NZQA unit standards to complete.
Stage 1 – Knowledge Component (Online and/or In Person Training)
The first stage of training to become a child restraint technician requires you to demonstrate knowledge of child restraints to provide advice for installation, rental or sale. This is called the “knowledge competency”. To complete this you will undertake theory based training. This includes:
- an initial call or meeting (online or in-person) with your trainer/assessor,
- completing an online video-based training course (4-6 hours depending on your prior experience and learning speed),
- reading through and understanding the NZTA’s child restraint technician training manual (this is included in the online training course),
- viewing videos demonstrating a variety of car seat installation processes.
Once you have completed these steps above, you will meet with your trainer/assessor. This meeting can take place in person or online, depending on your location and other considerations. This decision will be made at the discretion of your trainer/assessor.
Following this meeting, you will be required to complete the theory assessment paper. This is an “open book test” which means it can be completed while using your training manual and video resources for reference.
Your trainer/assessor will mark this paper and provide feedback for any amendments required. You are given 3 opportunities in total to achieve a pass, as follows:
- Initial completion of paper and first feedback/comments from trainer/assessor.
- Returning 1st set of amendments.
- Returning 2nd set of amendments.
Once you have achieved a pass, you are qualified to select child restraints for rental or sale and provide advice for installation. This first stage is appropriate if you only need to know how to select and advise on child restraints, rather than install them.
Stage 2 – Practical Competent (In Person Training)
Once the knowledge competency has been passed you can then complete the second stage, which is called the “practical competency”. This will involve:
- hands-on in-person training on the installation of a variety of car seats,
- a period of self-driven practice on a wide range of car seats of different standards and stages,
- a one-hour practical assessment during which you are required to correctly install and advise on a variety of car seats.
Once you have successfully achieved a pass, you will be certified to select approved child restraints for installation, rental or sale, and install them.
Having completed and passed both stages (Knowledge and Practical) you will be certified as a Child Restraint Technician.
To maintain your certification you will be required to have your practical competency reassessed every two years.
Your Trainer / Assessor
Danielle works with trainer/assessors throughout New Zealand to enable CRTs to learn using the SitTight online training programme wherever they are based in New Zealand.
If your initial contact is made with Danielle, but you are based out of Auckland, she will connect you with a trainer/assessor local to you. You will complete the SitTight online training programme and will be given support and practical training by your local trainer/assessor.
Child Restraint Technician Training – Cost
Stage 1 – Knowledge Competency = $330 + GST
Stages 1 & 2 – Full Child Restraint Technician = $450 + GST
Stage 2 – Recertification of Practical Competency = $150 + GST
Travel costs are additional and will be quoted as necessary.
SitTight can arrange CRT training for you at most locations in New Zealand. For more information, enquire below or contact Danielle on 021 271 8663.