Does mandated reporter training expire every year?
- State laws identify mandated reporters, most often by profession, and set training requirements.
- Training renewal requirements can vary from state to state and even by profession.
- Some laws require annual reporting, while others may require training every two to three years.
- Resources are available to help you understand your training and renewal requirements.
State Laws Identify Mandated Reporters and Training Requirements
A mandated reporter is an individual who, due to their profession, is legally obligated to report suspected abuse or neglect to the relevant authorities. Almost every state defines mandated reporters based on their profession, which often includes:
- Social workers
- Teachers and other school personnel
- Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers
- Counselors and all other mental health professionals
- Childcare and daycare providers,
- Medical examiners or coroners
- Law enforcement officers
Each of these is a professional with frequent contact or involvement with children, elderly or dependent adults, or victims of domestic violence.
Other states have broader requirements, adding professions such as commercial film developers, computer techs, substance abuse counselors, probation and parole officers, ombudsman, and other elder care professionals.
Some states require reporting and/or training for volunteers at youth-serving organizations.
Animal control and humane officers are also required to report in some states. More than half the states designate clergy as mandatory reporters.
Is Mandated Reporter Training Required?
State child abuse prevention laws will also designate training requirements for mandated reporters. These requirements vary from state to state.
More than half of all states require training for mandated reporters. In the remaining states with no training requirements, information and training resources can usually be found on state social services agency websites, departments of education, or other resources that provide training and information for mandated reporters.
Did you know? Even if you are not required to train, you can still take an online mandated reporter training course and earn a certificate of completion. Training helps you learn how to identify and report suspected cases of abuse and neglect.
Are Employers Required to Provide Training?
In some states, certain employers are required to provide mandatory reporting training. Here’s how diverse state laws can be regarding employer-provided training:
- All companies that employ a mandatory reporter in Michigan must provide training.
- California only requires certain organizations, such as schools, to provide training.
- All mandatory reporters in Illinois are required to get their own training.
How Often Do You Renew Mandated Reporter Training?
Mandated reporter training is generally good for a specified period. That period can vary depending on your state.
For example:
- California teachers and school professionals must renew annually.
- California’s remaining mandated reporters renew every two years.
- Pennsylvania requires updated training every five years.
- Massachusetts requires annual training renewal.
- Nevada childcare workers must renew training every five years.
- Illinois requires updated training every six years.
- New York does not require training renewal.
Where Can I Find My State’s Mandated Reporting Requirements?
Each state sets its own requirements for who is a mandated reporter, reporting requirements, training requirements, and how often training should be renewed. To keep up-to-date on your requirements, you can check the following resources:
- Mandated Reporter database: Visit mandatedreporter.com to find a state-by-state database
- Your employer or organization: Employers can provide you with requirements and may be required to provide your training
- State agencies: child welfare or social services agency websites for your state can provide more information on training and reporting
Where Can I Get Mandated Reporter Training?
The Mandated Reporter Training platform offers online, on-demand training for mandated reporters. Find state-approved, profession-specific, and even organization-specific training. Find training for teachers, medical professionals, Scouting and Sports and Recreation Volunteers, and more at the Mandated Reporter Training platform. Explore the course catalog.
Find a Training
Do you need to complete a mandated reporter training? Register for an individual account, choose a state- or profession-specific training, and get started. Your training is available online and on demand, so you can train when it is convenient.
After completing a course and passing an exam, you can download a verifiable certificate of completion that proves you’ve met your training requirements. You can share your certificate with employers, organizations, and licensing boards. You may even qualify for CE credits. Start training.
Manage Training For An Organization
Employers and organizations that have requirements to train employees, administrators, or volunteers can use the Mandated Reporter Training platform to manage their entire training program.
With an organization account, employers can invite learners to train, assign profession-specific courses, track completion, access reports, and issue certificates. In addition to training for mandated reporters, organizations can assign other required employer training, such as harassment prevention training. Launch your training program.
FAQs:
Does mandated reporter training expire every year?
Training renewal periods can vary from state to state and by profession. For example, in California, training renewals are required for teachers every year and for childcare workers every two years. Generally speaking, plan on renewing every two years. Consult your state’s legislation for specific training renewal requirements.
Is mandated reporter training required?
State laws for mandated reporter training can vary. More than half of U.S. states require training for mandated reporters.
Do employers provide mandated reporter training?
Some employers are required to provide training. For example, California’s AB 1432 requires that school districts provide annual training for teachers and staff. Not all employers are required to do so, however.
Where can I find information about my requirements and responsibilities as a mandated reporter?
Consult your employer or organization for the specific requirements in your state and profession. Alternatively, visit mandatedreporter.com for a state-by-state database or your state’s child welfare or social services agency.
Where can I find mandated reporter training?
Find online training for mandated reporters at the Mandated Reporter Training platform. You can find state-approved, profession-specific, and even organization-specific training at mandatedreportertraining.com
