Child Abuse Prevention Training
Information Regarding Child Abuse Prevention Training Including the Identification of Child Abuse in an Educational Setting
NEWS
Second Update to Mandated Reporter Training – Addendum Update (to be completed by 11/17/2026)
- In accordance with Section 413 of the Social Services Law, as amended by the Laws of 2024, the mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework has been updated to include the addition of guidance on identifying an abused or maltreated child when such child is an individual with an intellectual or developmental disability.
- The amended law further requires all mandated reporters, including all certified educators, to complete the new, updated workshop. Accordingly, all certified educators must have a record of completion of the new, updated training reported to TEACH by their chosen provider by November 17, 2026. Please note:
- All NYS Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect approved providers were required to offer the second updated workshop starting on September 1, 2025.
- All educators must take the entire second updated workshop (for a total of two hours in length) if they did not complete the first updated training.
- 15-Minute Addendum Update:
- Be advised that several providers are offering an Addendum for those who completed the April 2025 update.
- This Addendum must be completed with the same provider used to complete the first update, using the same email address.
- The providers will be checking to ensure the first updated workshop was completed before allowing the educator to complete the 15-minute additional training.
- Applications for certification submitted on or after October 1, 2025, will require completion of the second updated workshop for issuance of the certificate.
- New York State Approved Teacher Preparation Programs entering recommendations for certification on or after October 1, 2025, must verify that the second updated workshop has been completed at the time of the recommendation.
- Any questions can be directed to tcert@nysed.gov.
Updated Mandated Reporter Training Requirements (to be completed by 4/1/2025): 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.
Background
In accordance with Chapter 363 of the Laws of 2018, the Board of Regents adopted amendments to certain sections of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education related to Reports of Child Abuse in an Educational Setting. A copy of the amendments can be found here. These amendments originally went into effect October 23, 2019 but were subsequently extended to September 30, 2020.
Changes to Current Requirements
The amendments to the reports of child abuse expanded the definition of individuals required to take both the identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment (a.k.a. Mandated Reporter) and the identification of child abuse in an educational setting trainings.
The following chart breaks down who is now required to take which training:
School Personnel Required to Take
Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment and/or
Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training
| Personnel | Identification & Reporting of Child Abuse & Maltreatment Training | Child Abuse in an Educational Setting Training |
|---|---|---|
|
Occupational Therapists (licensed/registered) |
|
✓ |
|
Physical Therapists (licensed/registered) |
|
✓ |
|
School Administrators/Supervisors (certified/uncertified) |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Attendance Teacher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Board Members |
|
✓ |
|
School Bus Driver or Supervisor |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Counselors |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Dental Hygiene Teacher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Nurse Teacher |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Nurses |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Psychologists |
✓ |
✓ |
|
School Resource Officers |
|
✓ |
|
School Social Workers |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Speech Language Pathologists (licensed/registered) |
|
✓ |
|
Teachers – current (certified and uncertified) |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Teachers – new (certified and uncertified) |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Teacher Aides |
|
✓ |
|
Other Personnel Required to Hold a Teaching or Administrative Certificate or License |
✓ |
✓ |
The legislation expands the number of education and education-related staff (e.g. drivers for bus contractors and religious and independent school staff) who need the Mandated Reporter training and also adds a new training requirement.
How to Obtain the Required Training
There are a variety of ways to obtain the required training:
- For identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment (a.k.a. Mandated Reporter) trainings, the Office of Professions maintains a list of providers on its website.
- For identification of child abuse in an educational setting trainings:
- Consult your school district or local BOCES for potential providers.
- Some schools have received the training from their own attorneys.
How Often Does Each Training Need to be Taken?
- For identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment (a.k.a. Mandated Reporter), training need only be completed one time.
- For identification of child abuse in an educational setting, training should be completed annually.
Reimbursement Eligibility
ORISS is pleased to announce that beginning April 1, 2020 the fees associated with both trainings are eligible for reimbursement under the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) grant.
If you have any questions, please contact ORISS by email at ORISS@nysed.gov or by phone at (518) 473-8202.