Per the notice below, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is mandating completion of new child abuse training related to children with developmental disabilities by November 17, 2026.

Mandated Training Related to Child Abuse

Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2024 amended Social Services Law § 413 to require additional training to include protocols and guidance on identifying abused or maltreated children with intellectual or developmental disabilities within the New York State Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework.  This law requires that mandated reporters, including those who have previously undergone the current training, complete the updated training curriculum by November 17, 2026.

Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2021 amended Social Services Law § 413 to require additional training to include protocols to reduce implicit bias in decision-making processes, strategies for identifying adverse childhood experiences, and guidelines to assist in recognizing signs of abuse or maltreatment while interacting virtually within the New York State Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework.  This law requires that mandated reporters, including those who have previously undergone the current training, complete the updated training curriculum by April 1, 2025.

Information about approved training providers can be accessed on our website.

List of Approved Training Providers

Training related to child abuse is required for the following professions:

• Certified Behavior Analyst Assistants
• Chiropractors
• Creative Arts Therapists
• Dental Hygienists
• Dentists
• Licensed Behavior Analysts
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Licensed Master Social Workers
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Counselors
• Optometrists
• Physicians
• Podiatrists
• Psychoanalysts
• Psychologists
• Registered Nurses
• Nurse Practitioners

Specific information about this training is provided below.

Effective January 1, 1989, Education Law requires certain individuals, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit, to provide documentation of having completed two hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.  This is a one-time requirement and once taken does not need to be completed again.  This requirement applies to: Chiropractors, Dental Hygienists, Dentists, Optometrists, Physicians, Podiatrists, Psychologists, and Registered Nurses.  The Law also includes this training among the requirements for certification or licensure of school administrators/supervisors, school service personnel, and classroom school teachers.  All persons applying for a provisional or permanent certificate or license valid for administrative or supervisory service, school service, or classroom teaching service must have completed the two hours of coursework or training.

Since September 1, 1990, programs registered by NYS that lead to licensure or certification in one of the above areas affected by the legislation have been required to include training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.  Students graduating from such programs on or after September 1, 1990, are not required to take additional training and are not required to receive a Certification form and submit documentation.  However, medical residency programs, which are taken after receiving licensure, are not required to include such training.  Therefore, training received during residency does not satisfy the NYS training requirement.  An individual who completes an out-of-state medical program unregistered by NYS who then receives training in a NYS residency program has not met the training requirement and must take additional training from an approved provider.

Effective September 1, 2004, this requirement also applies to Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Master Social Workers.  Individuals in these professions, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit, or for the renewal of a New York State license or registration, must provide documentation of having completed the coursework or training through a Department-approved course. *

Effective January 1, 2005, this requirement applies to Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Creative Arts Therapists, and Psychoanalysts.  As of that date, individuals in these professions, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit must provide documentation of having completed the coursework or training through a Department-approved course.*

Effective July 1, 2014, this requirement also applies to licensed behavior analysts and certified behavior analyst assistants.  As of that date, individuals in these professions, when applying initially for licensure or a limited permit must provide documentation of having completed the coursework or training through a Department-approved course.

*Programs registered by NYS that lead to licensure in these professions now are required to include training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment.  Students graduating from such programs on or after the effective dates are not required to take additional training and are not required to receive a Certificate form or submit documentation.

Documentation

Documentation in the form of an authorized Certification of Completion must be submitted to the State Education Department at the time of reregistration or initial application for licensure, certification, or a limited permit.  Within ten days of coursework completion, the approved provider from whom you obtain the training is required to issue you two copies of the Certification form.

Exemptions

The law exempts from the training an individual who can document, to the satisfaction of the Department, that there is no need for the training based on the nature of his or her practice.  You may be eligible for an exemption if the nature of your practice is such that you do not have professional contact with persons under the age of 18 years and you do not have contact with persons 18 years of age or older with a handicapping condition, who reside in a residential care school or facility.  If you wish further information about an exemption, or you wish to request an exemption application.

Certification of Exemption 
Note: This form is in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF).  To view or print it, you will need to have the free Adobe Reader installed on your computer.  Download times and print quality will depend on your connection speed and printer.

The law exempts from the training persons who possess, with an effective date no later than September 1, 1990, a permanent NYS certificate or full credentialing from the cities of Buffalo or New York, and who do not subsequently apply for additional classroom teaching service, administrative-supervisory service, or school service credential.

Submitting a Certification of Completion or Certificate of Exemption Form

Applicants for New York State Licensure can upload a completed form on the Office of the Professions' website at https://eservices.nysed.gov/professions/addl-doc/. 
Current Licensees can upload a completed form on the Office of the Professions' website at https://eservices.nysed.gov/professions/wf/licensee-doc-upload/.

Who do I contact if I have additional questions about my submission

If you have any questions about the submission of documentation or checking on the status of such a submission for the Child Abuse/Infection Control requirement, you can submit a request.

Choosing a Provider

The list of providers is arranged alphabetically by provider name.  You may wish to contact several providers before deciding on the offering that best meets your needs and schedule.  Please note that some providers will be offering training that exceeds the two-hour minimum established in law.  Also, fees will vary from provider to provider.  Within this listing you will also be able to view online course work providers.  Any organization whose name is hyper-linked (blue and underlined) you can click on to be directed to the approved online course.

Any questions related to becoming an approved provider for the Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Workshop can be sent to: OPPLEUCA@nysed.gov.