Pennsylvania Act 31 of 2014 created training requirements for mandated reporters.
A mandated reporter is a person required by law to report concerns of child abuse. As individuals who are frequently in contact with children, mandated reporters often serve as the bridge between a child and safety from abuse.
Mandated reporters are generally people who come in contact with children:
- As part of their employment
- In the practice of their profession
What are the Act 31 Requirements in Pennsylvania?
Act 31 of 2014 amended Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law (CPSL), adding training requirements for mandated reporters.
Act 31 Requirements to Obtain or Renew a Professional License
Under Act 31, any licensing board with jurisdiction over professional licensees identified as mandated reporters must require at least three hours of approved child abuse recognition and reporting training before issuing a new license. This includes a person licensed or certified to practice in any health-related field under the jurisdiction of the Department of State, medical examiner, coroner, and funeral directors, among others.
Act 31 Training for Children’s Organizations
Act 31 also requires mandated reporter training for operators of children’s institutions, facilities, or agencies that “receive or care for children,” and their employees who have direct contact with children. This includes registered caregivers in family day care homes and their employees with direct contact with children. It also includes foster parents.
Institutions and agencies that care for children must complete three hours of Act 31 training before receiving a license, approval, or registration.
Employees who have direct contact with children and foster parents must complete three hours of training to receive a license, approval, or registration certificate and three hours of training every five years.
New employees and new foster parents must take three hours of Act 31 training within 90 days of hire or approval as a foster parent and three hours of training every five years.
Start training. Approved Online PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training: 3-Hours
Act 31 Exemptions
Applicants or licensees may be exempt from this Act 31 requirement if they submit documentation acceptable to the licensing board that the person has already completed child abuse recognition training, such as a verifiable certificate of completion from an approved training provider.
How Long is Act 31 Training Good For?
Act 31 requires all persons applying for the renewal of a license or certification to complete at least two hours of approved continuing education per licensure cycle.
Start training. Approved Online PA Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training: 2-Hours
Employees of institutions and agencies that receive or care for children, or place them in foster homes, and approved foster parents must renew three hours of training every five years.
Where to Find PA Act 31 Training Online
Act 31 training can be taken online from an approved provider.
Pennsylvania mandated reporters can take Act 31 training online at the Mandated Reporter Training platform. This online training platform has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting training on the Mandated Reporter Training platform is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs for two-hour license renewals and three-hour new licensure requirements.
These online Pennsylvania mandated reporter training courses are available on-demand and on your schedule. You don’t have to wait for in-person group classes or prescheduled virtual workshops. Get instant course access 24/7. With daily electronic reporting, you can start a course, complete your training, gain instant access to a certificate of completion, and have your progress submitted all within the same day.
Find approved online training for mandated reporters at the Mandated Reporter Training platform and meet your training requirements from the convenience of your home and on your schedule.
