What are the requirements to be a supervised visitation provider in California?

California has the most detailed rules for supervised visitation providers in the country. If you want to supervise visits there, three layers apply: state law (Family Code §§ 3200 and 3200.5), the statewide practice standard (Standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration), and extra rules some counties add. Here's what each requires.

Professional versus nonprofessional providers

California recognizes two kinds of providers:

Nonprofessional providers are usually a relative or family friend who supervises without pay. They file form FL-324(NP).
Professional providers are paid to supervise, whether as an individual or through an agency. They must meet the qualifications below and file form FL-324(P).

The court order says which kind is allowed. If the order calls for a professional provider, a relative can't substitute.

Qualifications for professional providers (Family Code § 3200.5)

A professional provider must:

be at least 21 years old;
complete 24 hours of training, including 12 classroom hours, before supervising visits;
complete a Live Scan background check;
be registered with TrustLine, California's registry for in home child care providers (required since January 1, 2021).

The training covers topics such as the provider's role, child abuse reporting laws, record keeping, screening, monitoring and ending visits, children's developmental needs, and issues of substance abuse, child abuse and domestic violence.

Standard 5.20: the practice rules

Standard 5.20 sets uniform standards of practice for all providers: qualifications, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, safety and security, ratio of children to providers, conditions for visits, record keeping, reporting to the court, and termination of services. Read it in full before you take a case. It's the document judges and attorneys expect you to know.

The forms you'll use

FL-324(P) is the Declaration of Supervised Visitation and Exchange Services Provider (Professional). You declare that you meet the qualifications and will follow Standard 5.20. It's filed with the court in each case.
FL-324(NP) is the nonprofessional version.
FL-341(A) is the Supervised Visitation (Parenting Time) and Exchanges Order that sets the terms in a case.

County rules add more

Some superior courts set their own requirements, especially for providers who want to be on a court list:

Los Angeles: a standing order requires paid monitors to be registered with TrustLine, complete a Live Scan check and file FL-324(P). Unpaid monitors must meet the order's eligibility rules and file FL-324(NP).
San Diego: providers on the court's courtesy list submit TrustLine registration, proof of 24 hours of training and a signed FL-324(P). The court doesn't endorse or monitor anyone on the list.
Orange County: Local Rule 703.3 requires professional providers to file FL-324(P). The court publishes a resource list of providers but doesn't screen or endorse them.
Riverside: the court publishes a list of professional monitors. Providers on it submit FL-324(P), proof of training and TrustLine verification.

Check your county's local rules before you take a case there.

Mandated reporting and recording in California

California's mandated reporter law (Penal Code § 11165.7) lists specific professions and roles. Review whether your role is covered and how to report before your first visit. California also generally requires everyone's consent to record a confidential conversation (Penal Code § 632), so don't record visits without written consent and permission under the order.

State funded programs

The Judicial Council's Access to Visitation Grant Program sends federal funds to superior courts, which contract with nonprofits for supervised visitation and exchange for eligible families. Orange County, for example, offers free visits to eligible low income parents through its program. These programs can be a source of contracted work and they shape your local market.

Getting started checklist

Read Family Code § 3200.5 and Standard 5.20 in full.
Complete 24 hours of qualifying training, with 12 in a classroom, and keep your certificates.
Complete Live Scan and register with TrustLine.
Prepare your FL-324(P), services agreement, intake forms and report format.
Check local rules and provider lists in each county you'll serve.
Get liability insurance.
Introduce yourself to family law attorneys and the court's family law facilitator.

See our California provider guide and court guides for Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Riverside.

Common questions

Can I supervise in California with training from another state? The law sets hours and a classroom component, not a specific provider. Keep documentation showing the hours, the classroom portion and the topics covered, and be ready to show it.

Does a relative need TrustLine or Live Scan? The professional requirements apply to paid providers. A nonprofessional provider files FL-324(NP) and must meet the conditions in that form and the court order. Some county orders, like Los Angeles's standing order, set eligibility rules for unpaid monitors too.

Do I file FL-324(P) once or for every case? It's filed in each case you take, so the court has your declaration on file for that family.

Is being on a court list the same as court approval? No. San Diego and Orange County both say plainly that they don't endorse or screen providers on their lists. Don't describe yourself as court approved.

Get listed

Families in California find providers on MyVisitLink by city and county, and you can show your training and documents on your profile. Founding providers get 3 months free. See the founders offer.

Sources

This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and court rules change and differ by state and county. Confirm what applies to you with the court or a licensed attorney in your state.