Direct Answer
To work as a paid professional supervised visitation or exchange services provider in California, a person must satisfy the statutory qualifications, complete the required education before providing services, complete Live Scan, maintain TrustLine registration, sign the applicable professional-provider declaration, and follow current court orders and local procedures.
Step 1: Confirm the Basic Qualifications
Family Code section 3200.5 includes age, criminal-history, probation or parole, restraining-order, language, insurance, and prior-supervision restrictions. A prospective provider should review every qualification before investing in training or business setup.
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Meet the specified DUI, probation or parole, criminal-conviction, and restraining-order restrictions.
- Have no current or prior court order in which you were the person being supervised.
- Meet the language requirement or use a neutral adult interpreter.
- Maintain automobile insurance when transporting a child.
- Agree to follow and enforce the operative court order.
Step 2: Complete the Required Training
California requires 24 hours before a professional provider begins providing services, including at least 12 hours of classroom instruction. The required subject list includes the provider role, child abuse reporting, recordkeeping, screening and termination, child development, legal responsibilities, cultural sensitivity, conflicts, confidentiality, abuse and domestic violence issues, and basic family and juvenile law.
Read the complete 24-hour training guide.
Step 3: Complete Live Scan and TrustLine
Live Scan and TrustLine are separate from the Academy’s Certificate of Completion. They must be satisfied before paid professional services begin. Enrollment in training does not require that they already be complete.
Review the TrustLine and Live Scan guide.
Step 4: Understand Form FL-324(P)
The professional-provider declaration is a statement under penalty of perjury that the provider meets the applicable requirements. Professional providers should use the current mandatory form and follow the procedures of the court handling the case.
Step 5: Prepare for Professional Practice
Qualification is not the end of preparation. Professional practice requires written terms and conditions, current court-order review, separate intake and screening, safety and emergency procedures, objective records, identifying-information protection, mandated reporting, and clear interruption or termination procedures.
Step 6: Check Local Court and Agency Procedures
Local courts, referral lists, employers, and agencies may require annual forms, continuing education, insurance documentation, policies, complaint procedures, or other submissions. Always check the current procedures where you intend to work.
Course completion is not a state license. Bridging Families Academy issues a Certificate of Completion documenting completion of its training program. It does not certify that every separate professional-provider requirement has been satisfied.