Direct Support Professional Training : CA Department of Developmental Services

The Direct Support Professional Training (DSPT) is a competency-based training program that is mandatory for all Direct Support Professionals (DSP) working in licensed community care facilities vendored by regional centers. The DSPT is divided into two equal segments of 35 hours each to be completed in successive years for a total of 70 hours. DSPs who are mandated to meet the training requirement, may opt to meet it by passing the Challenge Test for each 35-hour training program.

Instructor-led online trainings are now available, important information regarding online trainings can be found here. For Schedules and registration, please visit www.dsptrain.org.

For additional information regarding DSPT, you can email ccfdsp@dds.ca.gov. For technical assistance and other concerns, please contact the DSPT helpdesk at dspt.helpdesk@sbcss.net or call (800)-910-4604.

Since January 1, 1999, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has implemented mandated statewide competency-based training for direct support professionals (DSPs) employed in regional center vendored community care facilities (CCF). This mandate arises out of the conviction that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving residential services are entitled to the highest standard of service and that direct support professionals deserve training and recognition as professionals. Direct Support Professional Training (DSPT) is provided through 4 regional Service Hubs within local communities. DSPT is free to all DSPs currently working in either the first or second year of their employment at one of the regional center vendored CCFs. You should not be charged a fee for DSPT. Any DSPT certification for a fee is not sanctioned by the state and will not meet the statutory requirement. For additional information regarding the DSPT, you can contact DDS at 800-622-8904 or email at ccfdsp@dds.ca.gov.

NOTE: As of 2017, the direct support professional training now includes training on Seven Rights instead of Five Rights. We have added in the curriculum the “Right Reason” and the “Right Documentation.” The medication skill check for the Training Class and Challenge Test will now include the two new rights. For additional information and the medication skill check on the 2 new rights see the Trainer Guide – Year 1 session 4 and Year 2 session 3.

All DSPT registration is completed online at www.dsptrain.org. DSPT registration opens 35 days prior and closes 7 days before the scheduled Challenge Test or Training Class. Registration must be completed by the DSP who is employed in a CCF vendored by a regional center.

If you need assistance with registration, please contact the eDSPT Helpline at 800-910-4604. To register, DSPs must have the following information:

Your email address
Your phone number
Social Security number
Facility vendor number
Facility email address

If you are a regional center vendor, you can create a “Vendor Administration” account at www.dsptrain.org to access results for your employees.

Once a DSP completes the Challenge Test or Training Class, the DSP and the administrator of the facility they are employed in will receive an email notification of results (if the DSP used the correct facility email address when registering). A DSP may receive a Certification Notice, a Certification Notice with Additional Training Needed (ATN), a Failure Notice, or an Incomplete/Failure Notice. All Certification Notices can be accessed at www.dsptrain.org by DSPs, CCF administrators, and regional centers. Failure notifications cannot be accessed online. For more information about notifications, click on one of the following links.

Certification Notice with ATN

A Certification Notice with ATN means that the DSP has MET the training requirements for that year of training AND the DSP must complete additional training in the areas identified on the Certification Notice as needing improvements. Vendors are responsible for developing a plan to meet this training requirement. A list of curriculum content is provided for reference.

Year 1

Year 2

Notice of Failure

A Failure Notice means that the DSP was not successful in their attempt to pass the DSPT. Therefore they must register and retake that year of training again until the DSP receives a Certification Notice or Certification Notice with ATN. DSPs must work under the supervision of a DSP who has successfully completed the DSPT requirement.

Year 1

Year 2

Notice of Incomplete/Failure

An Incomplete/Failure Notice means that the DSP was not successful in their attempt to pass the DSPT. Therefore they must register and retake that year of training again until the DSP receives a Certification Notice or Certification Notice with ATN.

Year 1

Year 2