Direct Support Professional Training - CA Department of Developmental Services (2024)

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 4andYear 2 session 3.

All DSPT registration is completed online atwww.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 atwww.dsptrain.orgto 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 atwww.dsptrain.orgby DSPs, CCF administrators, and regional centers. Failure notifications cannot be accessed online. For more information about notifications, click on one of the following links.

• Description of Direct Support Professional Training
• Direct Support Professional Training Program Implementation
• Service Hub Directory
• Direct Support Professional Training Statute

• Year 1 / Year 2 Trainer and Student Resource Guides
• Direct Support Professional Training Program Videos
• Frequently Asked Questions