There has been a great deal circulating online regarding Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) deadlines, and some of the messaging being shared is unnecessarily alarming.    

However, there are important requirements every unit and leader should understand so they can plan appropriately.        

What Leaders Need to Know

 Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) replaces Youth Protection Training (YPT), and all registered adult volunteers must complete SYT by May 31, 2026.        

 Even if a person’s current YPT shows an expiration date later than that, it will only be honored until May 31, 2026. After May 31, 2026, YPT will no longer meet the trained requirement.    

 SYT is required to remain a registered, active leader. If a leader’s SYT is not current, they are considered inactive and may not serve until training is brought up to date. Their Scouting America membership will be suspended. Once compliant, the leader will return to active status.              

Safeguarding Youth Training must be completed annually. If a volunteer’s SYT is not current at the time of annual registration renewal, the volunteer cannot be re-registered until the training requirement is met.        

Safeguarding Youth Refresher Training

To make compliance easier, Scouting America has launched a Safeguarding Youth Refresher Training, designed to streamline annual renewals.        

• If you have completed the FULL SYT course previously and it is active or has expired within 7 days, the system allows access to the refresher. 7 Days after expiration.
     
• If SYT has expired beyond 7 Day, the full course must be retaken
     
• The refresher exam must be passed on the first attempt with 80% to earn the trained code; otherwise, the system routes the user to the full course
     
• The refresher is available in English and Spanish in the Volunteer Learn Center under “Safeguarding Youth Refresher”    

Please encourage all leaders to complete SYT as early as possible.