Professional Qualification Checklist

Requirements to Become a Professional Supervised Visitation and Exchange Services Provider

Training is one part of California’s professional-provider qualifications. Review the statutory requirements and any additional procedures that apply where you intend to work.

California Professional Provider Requirements

  1. Be at least 21 years old.
  2. Have no DUI conviction within the previous five years.
  3. Have no probation or parole within the previous ten years.
  4. Have no conviction for child molestation, child abuse, or other crimes against a person.
  5. Maintain automobile insurance when transporting a child.
  6. Have no civil, criminal, or juvenile restraining orders within the previous ten years.
  7. Have no current or past court order in which the provider was the person being supervised.
  8. Meet language requirements. Speak the language of the supervised party and child or provide a neutral interpreter over age 18.
  9. Agree to follow and enforce the operative court order.
  10. Complete the required training before providing services. California requires 24 hours, including at least 12 hours of classroom instruction and the required CDSS mandated-reporter course within the total. Bridging Families Academy provides a 24-hour program with 12 live instructor-led classroom hours and 12 guided self-paced hours.
  11. Complete Live Scan before providing services.
  12. Maintain TrustLine registration before providing paid professional services.
  13. Sign the professional-provider declaration, including current form FL-324(P), before providing services and follow applicable court procedures. A separate updated declaration is required each time a professional provider submits a report to the court.
  14. Follow additional local procedures. Courts, agencies, employers, and provider referral lists may require proof of training, declarations, annual submissions, insurance, written policies, continuing education, or separate review.
TrustLine is not required before enrolling in the Academy course.

Training, Live Scan, TrustLine, declarations, and local procedures are separate components. Participants may enroll while completing other qualifications, but all applicable requirements must be satisfied before providing paid services.

Important Practice Requirements After Qualification

Written Agreements and Court Orders

Review current orders and use written terms and conditions before services begin.

Safety and Screening

Conduct separate intake, review risk, establish security and emergency procedures, and obtain required documents.

Records and Reports

Maintain dated records of contacts, visits, exchanges, attendance, noncompliance, incidents, interruptions, and terminations.

Neutrality and Confidentiality

Remain neutral, avoid conflicts, disclose that no confidential privilege exists, and protect identifying information as required.

Mandatory Reporting

Report suspected child abuse as required by law and explain the reporting obligation to the parties.

Virtual-Service Policies

For supervised virtual visitation, maintain written policies addressing safety, privacy, age appropriateness, technology, equipment, and internet access.

Continue With the Provider Guides

Step-by-Step Provider Path

Review the complete provider guide.

TrustLine and Live Scan

Understand the separate background requirements.

FL-324(P)

Review the professional-provider declaration guide.

County Training Layer

Verify Local Training Expectations

Statewide law establishes the core professional-provider training requirement, but a local court or program may have additional expectations about training documentation, accepted training sources, or delivery formats. Verify current county requirements before relying on any certificate.