Youth Protection Training
YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING REQUIRED FOR ALL ADULTS
The Boy Scouts of America requires Youth Protection training (YPT) for all volunteers. The purpose of this policy is to increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist in Scouting.
- Youth Protection training is required for all BSA registered volunteers, regardless of their position.
- New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before submitting an application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time the application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
- Youth Protection training must be taken every year. If a volunteer’s Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.
To find out more about the Youth Protection policies of the Boy Scouts of America and how to help Scouting keep your family safe, see the Parent’s Guide in any Boy Scouting handbook, or click here to go the National BSA Guide to Youth Protection and Adult Leadership.
QUESTIONS
The following are answers to the most common questions regarding Youth Protection training. To read more, visit www.scouting.org/youthprotection:
Q1: When did this policy go into effect?
A1: As of June 1, 2010, all registered adult volunteers–no matter what their position entails–must complete Youth Protection training prior to beginning their volunteer service. As of June 2015, Youth Protection training must be certified every year.
Q2: Why was this training policy established?
A2: Youth safety is the No. 1 concern of the Boy Scouts of America. It is important to implement this training at all levels of the organization. The BSA is always reevaluating and reassessing its policies to ensure the safest youth program and the best training are offered. The BSA’s Youth Protection training has been in existence long enough for it to be understood and accepted as a mandated training for all registered BSA adult volunteers.
Q3: What is the deadline to meet the Youth Protection training standard?
A3: All registered leaders should take or renew their Youth Protection training so that it is current. A unit will not be able to recharter without its key registered adults being up-to-date on their Youth Protection training. No individual leader will be able to register without being up-to-date on his or her Youth Protection training.
Q4: Is there a grace period to get all adults trained?
A4: No. If a leader’s Youth Protection training is not current, the volunteer must take or renew this training immediately. Every effort should be taken so that all adults involved in Scouting have a current certificate of completion of the Youth Protection training.
Q5: If a person is not a registered leader, how can he or she log in and take the Youth Protection training?
A5: A person does not have to be a registered volunteer to take Youth Protection training.
- To take Youth Protection training go to My.Scouting.org and create an account (or log in if you already have an account). If you created a new account you’ll receive an email notification with your account information, including a member ID/reference number.
- From the My.Scouting.org portal, click “Home” then “My Dashboard” from the menu list. The My Training page displays to take Youth Protection training.
- Upon completion, you may print a training certificate to submit with a volunteer application. Your training will automatically be updated in the system and associated with the member ID/reference number issued when you created your account.
- When your volunteer application is approved, you will receive a BSA membership card that includes your member ID number.
Q6: Does “all volunteers” mean all volunteers — even unit committee members, board members and council presidents?
A6: Yes. The goal is to have all registered volunteers Youth Protection-trained. This is an important statement for the Boy Scouts of America as a youth organization and reinforces the BSA’s commitment to the well-being of all youth members and volunteers.
Q7: I am sure I know all there is to know about youth protection. Can I just skip the training?
A7: No. You must complete the entire online training in order for your Youth Protection certificate to be valid. This ensures you receive the latest information on BSA Youth Protection.
Q8: Does the executive officer (institutional head) of a unit need to take Youth Protection training?
A8: If the executive officer is not a registered leader, then he or she is not required to complete Youth Protection training, although taking it is strongly recommended. If the executive officer is a registered member of the BSA, then he or she must complete Youth Protection training.
Q9: The new policy indicates that a Youth Protection certificate of completion must be submitted “at the time of application.” What does that mean?
A9: A BSA application should be collected from a prospective leader only with the fully completed form and with a copy of the individual’s Youth Protection certificate of completion. Both documents should be submitted together to the council service center.
Q10: Do leaders need to wait until they have final clearance on the background check to meet with youth?
A10: No. As long as their application is fully completed, submitted to the council service center, and approved, their fee is paid, and their Youth Protection training has been received by and acknowledged by the council, they will be able to interact with youth members while the criminal background check (CBC) is still pending.
Q11: Do merit badge counselors need to take Youth Protection training?
A11: Yes. A merit badge counselor is a registered volunteer position.
Q12: Can units that have some adult leaders who have not completed Youth Protection training be rechartered?
A12: In order for a unit to be rechartered, it must have all the required positions filled with Youth Protection-trained adults. Adults who do not have current (within the past year) Youth Protection training will not be reregistered.
Q13: Will the new adult applications have this information?
A13: Yes. All new applications will reflect these changes.