DSPT Frequently Asked Questions

AIf 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.

ACompetency-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 (DSPT), staff from Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCPs) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) met with Community Care Facility (CCF) direct support professionals (DSPs) and administrators; individuals 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 DSP and the skills necessary for satisfactory job performance. Staff from the ROCPs and DDS also visited several CCFs and talked to and observed DSPs 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.

AStatutes of 1998 require all existing and new DSPs to either pass a Challenge Test or take the Training Class and pass a test for each of the 35-hour training segments. See Direct Support Professional Training Statue, Welfare and Institutions Code 4695.2.

ADSPs 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.

ANo. The Statute requires DSPs in licensed residential services and CCFs vendored by regional centers to take the training.

AThe training is designed to be offered in three (3) hour sessions. There is flexibility in the scheduling to meet the needs of DSPs throughout the state (e.g., a class can be scheduled for 6 hours covering 2 training sessions). One may also read and print the curriculum for either Year 1 or Year 2 through the DDS website.

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

AEach of the 4 Service Hubs are responsible for recruiting, selecting and contracting with or hiring the trainers. Those interested in being a trainer, should contact their local Service Hub. See Directory of Service Hubs.

AYes, facility DSPs 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 individuals receiving regional center services who live in CCF’s, 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, or are involved in performing program preparation functions. Title 17, Section 56002(a)(12).

AAnyone, including a family member who is also an employee, who provides direct supervision and special services to an individual residing in a CCF vendored by a regional center, 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 an individual 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 Individual Program Plan (IPP) and provided by the facility in addition to direct supervision. Title 17, Section 56002(a)(14) and 56002(a)(48).

Family members who are also employees, are DSPs, and are required to either pass a Challenge Test for each of the 35-hour training segments or successfully complete the required 70 hours of training.

APeople 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.

ANo, people can only get certified by successfully completing the Training Class or passing the Challenge Test.

ANo. You can no longer register for the Challenge Test if you have a previous challenge test or training class (in-person or online) enrollment on record.

AYes, 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 DSPT, the 35 hours in class do count toward 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 Certification of Completion and verification of attendance to the Department of Social Services, CCL Division.

In addition, Title 17 requires all DSPs working in Adult Residential Facilities to complete up to 12 hours per year of CEU credits. The DSPT hours meet the annual Title 17 requirement.

ADSPT registration is done online at http://www.dsptrain.org.

AIf you are still having difficulties registering for a class, you can call the DSPT Helpline at 800-910-4604 and speak to someone in person.