Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection Training (YPT) – Update and Reminder

A current Youth Protection Training (YPT) certificate is required for EVERY registered adult member of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and thus validation is required for ALL adult membership positions in any BSA Unit.  The safety of the youth is the top priority of the BSA organization and is taken very seriously.

The YPT certificate is valid for 24 months and must be renewed (kept current) or the adult membership will be dropped.  The YPT training can be completed on-line at my.scouting.org or in a classroom environment.  If the training occurs in a classroom environment, then the Unit (Pack, Troop, Crew, Team, Ship or Post) Key 3 (Unit Leader, Committee Chair or Chartered Organization Representative) is responsible for updating the adult membership training record.  Thus, if there is internet access and the adult has access to a computer, the adult can re-certify their YPT anytime.

If an adult allows their YPT certificate to expire, then their membership will be dropped from the BSA organization.  For the past 12 months, BSA has allowed a 30 day grace period for an adult to re-certify their YPT, but this may change.  If an adults YPT becomes expired it is the responsibility of the unit and chartered organization to ensure the adult leader is no longer performing his or her duties with youth present.  

If an adult allows their YPT to expire and then decides to remain in the BSA Unit (Pack, Troop, Crew, Team, Ship or Post) they will have to retake the YPT course AND resubmit a new BSA Adult Application.  If the adult does NOT include their old BSA ID on the application, then BSA may issue them a new BSA ID.  If a new BSA ID is issued, then NONE of the previous training will be attached to the new BSA ID.

If an adult is issued multiple BSA ID’s, then this will undoubtedly lead to confusion in the future as most recognition awards require current position training and YPT is a required training.

In order to correct this situation, the Unit Committee Chair or Unit Training Chair will have to interact with the Council Program Center to:

• Identify the adult member with multiple BSA IDs
• Chose which BSA ID to use
• Consolidate all training from the multiple BSA IDs into the one chosen BSA ID
• De-activate the other BSA IDs

This is a very time consuming process PER OCCURANCE.

Thus, it is in everyone’s interest for each adult to be aware of their YPT certificate validation date and to keep their YPT certificate current.

The safety of the youth is the BSA top priority.