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DSPT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I get my questions answered?
2. What is a competency-based training program?
3. Is the training program required by law?
4. When do I have to take the training?
5. Will day program staff be required to take the training?
6. Will each 35-hour training be offered all at once or in segments over a period or time?
7. What are the qualifications for trainers?
8. Who will recruit, select and hire or contract with the trainers?
9. Does the mandated 70-hour training program apply to both owner-operated and staff-operated homes?
10. Are family members considered "employees"?
11. With the addition of a skill check to the DSPT Challenge Test starting September 2007, does that mean I have to re-take the test if I've already been certified?
12. Can the videos available through DDS serve as substitutes to the 35-hour DSPT training? Are there any other means to become certified?
13. Are continuing education units (CEUs) available for people taking the DSP Training?

1. How do I get my questions answered?

If you have any questions about the training program, you may either e-mail your questions to ccfdsp@dds.ca.gov or call (800) 622-8904. Answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be posted on the FAQ page so that others can benefit from information provided. Please review the FAQs before sending questions to see if the information you need has already been provided.

2. What is a competency-based training program?

Competency-based training is training designed to teach skills necessary for satisfactory job performance. Training is based upon a set of competencies or job skills that have been identified through a detailed job analysis.

In developing the competencies and curriculum for the direct support professional training, staff from Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCPs) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) met with Community Care Facility (CCF) direct support professionals and administrators; consumers living in CCFs; and, regional center service coordinator, quality assurance, and clinical staff. The meetings were held at four different locations in the state: San Diego. Los Angeles, San Jose and Stockton. During these meetings, participants were asked to provide information about important aspects of the job of the direct support professional and the skills necessary to satisfactory job performance. Staff from the ROCPs and DDS also visited several CCFs and talked to and observed direct support professionals on-the-job.

Based upon the input from all participants, the ROCP developed a set of direct support professional competencies which were approved by DDS and are used as the basis for the training and testing program.

3. Is the training program required by law?

Statutes of 1998 require all existing and new direct support professionals to either pass a challenge test or take the training and pass a challenge test for each of the 35-hour training segments. See Direct Support Professional Training Legislation, Welfare and Institutions Code 4681.4 and 4681.5, on this Web site.

4. When do I have to take the training?

Direct support professionals in Service Levels 2, 3, and 4 facilities employed before January 1, 2001 must satisfactorily complete the first 35-hour training segment (Year 1) by January 1, 2002; and satisfactorily complete the second 35-hour training segment (Year 2) by January 1, 2003.

Direct support professionals in Service Levels 2, 3, and 4 facilities employed on or after January 1, 2001, have one year from date of hire to satisfactorily complete the first 35-hour training segment; and, two years from the date of hire to complete the second 35-hour training segment.

5. Will day program staff be required to take the training?

No. The legislation requires direct support professionals in licensed residential services, CCFs, and RC consumers to take the training.

6. Will each 35-hour training be offered all at once or in segments over a period of time?

The training is designed to be offered in three (3) hour segments. However, if a local ROCP wants to schedule the training in larger increments (e.g., 6 hours or more), they may do so.

7. What are the qualifications for trainers?

Trainers are required to have experience providing services and supports to people with developmental disabilities and knowledge of the specific subject areas covered in the training.

8. Who will recruit, select and hire or contract with the trainers?

The local ROCPs are responsible for recruiting, selecting and contracting with or hiring the trainers. Those interested in being a trainer, should contact their local ROCP. See Directory of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs on this Web Site.

9. Does the mandated 70-hour training program apply to both owner-operated and staff-operated homes?

Yes, facility direct care staff in both owner-operated and staff-operated homes who provide direct care must take the training. "Direct Care Staff" means facility staff, in Service Levels 2, 3 and 4 facilities, who personally provide direct supervision and special services to consumers and is synonymous with "Direct Support Professionals." The term includes the licensee, the administrator, management and supervisory staff during that time when they are providing direct supervision and special services to consumers or are involved in performing program preparation functions. Title 17, Section 56002(a)(12).

10. Are family members considered "employees"?

Anyone, including a family member, who provides direct supervision and special services to consumers, is a direct care staff (direct support professional) and as such would be considered an employee of the facility. "Direct Supervision" means assisting, prompting or training a consumer to meet his/her service needs, in the areas related to self-help, food preparation, household maintenance, handling money and making purchases, accessing community resources and participating in leisure time activities. "Special services" means specialized training, treatment, and/or supervision required by the IPP and provided by the facility in addition to direct supervision. Title 17, Section 56002(a)(14) and 56002(a)(49).

Family members who are direct care staff would be required to either pass a challenge test for each of the 35-hour training segments or successfully complete the required 70 hours of training.

11. With the addition of a skill check to the DSPT Challenge Test starting September 2007, does that mean I have to re-take the test if I've already been certified?

People are not required to take the Challenge Test again if they've already passed. After September 1, 2007, people taking the Year 1 or Year 2 Challenge Test have to pass both the written exam and a skill check in order to become certified.

12. Can the videos available through DDS serve as substitutes to the 35-hour DSPT training? Are there any other means to become certified?

No, people can only get certified by successfully completing the training course or passing the Challenge Test. The DSPT program is not offered online, though one may read and print the curriculum for either Year 1 or Year 2 through the DDS website.

13. Are continuing education units (CEUs) available for people taking the DSP Training?

Yes, but through two different mechanisms. Community Care Licensing (CCL) requires 40 hours per year of CEUs for administrators. For either Year 1 or Year 2 DSP Training, the 35 hours in class do count towards meeting this requirement. However, this only applies to administrators working at Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs), not homes serving children or infants (DSPT material does not have adequate crossover for that population). Administrators may receive CEUs by submitting a copy of their Certificate of Completion and verification of attendance to Dept. of Social Services, CCL Division.

In addition, Title 17 requires all direct support staff working in Adult Residential Facilities to complete up to 12 hours per year CEU credits. The Direct Support Professional Training hours meet the annual Title 17 requirement.