Compliance Checklist
A step-by-step guide to help your church meet every AB 506 requirement.
1
Inventory Your Team
Before you can comply, you need to know who falls under AB 506’s requirements.
List all paid employees (full-time and part-time)
List all administrators and church leadership
Identify “regular volunteers” — anyone 18+ with direct youth contact exceeding 16 hours/month or 32 hours/year
Document each person’s role and level of youth contact
💡 Tip: Think broadly. Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders, VBS volunteers, nursery workers, children’s choir directors, and bus drivers may all qualify as regular volunteers.
2
Complete Mandated Reporter Training
Every person identified in Step 1 must complete training in child abuse and neglect identification and reporting.
Register each person for mandated reporter training
Complete the training (typically 2–4 hours depending on the course)
Retain certificates of completion for each trainee
Set up annual retraining reminders
Free Training Resources:
- California Mandated Reporter Training — Free online training from the Office of Child Abuse Prevention (General: 2 hours, Clergy-specific: 3 hours)
- Church HR Network — Ministry-specific training (CSBC member churches may have pre-paid access)
💡 Tip: The free state training satisfies the legal requirement, but ministry-specific training (like Church HR Network) may be more applicable to your context. Consider using both.
3
Conduct Background Checks
AB 506 requires background checks through the California Department of Justice via Live Scan fingerprinting.
Register your church as a requesting agency with the CA DOJ (or use an authorized intermediary)
Locate an authorized Live Scan service provider near your church
Schedule and complete Live Scan fingerprinting for each person
Review results and take appropriate action for any flagged records
Consider supplementing with an FBI check or national background check for broader coverage
⚠️ Important: The CA DOJ Live Scan only checks California records. For individuals who have lived in other states, a national background check is strongly recommended. Processing times can vary — start early.
Helpful Links:
4
Develop Child Protection Policies
Written policies and procedures are required. At minimum, your policies must cover:
External reporting procedures — Clear steps for reporting suspected child abuse to authorities outside your church (law enforcement, Child Protective Services)
Two-adult rule — Require at least two screened, trained adults present whenever children are being supervised
Screening procedures — Document your process for training and background-checking all staff and volunteers
Incident response plan — What happens when a report is made
Have your policy reviewed by qualified legal counsel
Distribute the policy to all staff and volunteers
Review and update the policy annually
💡 Tip: ChurchWest offers a free model child protection policy template that can serve as a starting point. Customize it for your church and have it reviewed by an attorney.
5
Implement & Maintain
Compliance isn’t a one-time event. Build systems to maintain ongoing compliance.
Create a compliance tracking spreadsheet or system for all staff and volunteers
Set calendar reminders for annual training renewals
Establish an onboarding process that includes AB 506 requirements for new hires and volunteers
Schedule annual policy reviews with church leadership
Keep all documentation organized and accessible (training certificates, background check results, signed policy acknowledgments)
Brief your insurance provider on your compliance status
💡 Tip: Designate a specific person (or small team) as your church’s AB 506 compliance coordinator. Having clear ownership makes ongoing compliance much more manageable.
Beyond the Minimum: Best Practices
AB 506 establishes the minimum standard. Churches should strive to exceed these requirements:
- Train all volunteers, not just those meeting the “regular volunteer” threshold
- Implement classroom/room design with windows in doors for visibility
- Establish a child check-in/check-out system for services and events
- Create a social media and digital communication policy for youth workers
- Conduct reference checks in addition to background checks
- Provide annual refresher training, not just initial training
- Consider installing security cameras in hallways and common areas (not in private areas)
Disclaimer: This checklist provides general guidance and is not legal advice. Consult with a qualified attorney to ensure your church’s specific compliance needs are met.