Updated November 10, 2026
If your organization works with youth in California, Assembly Bill 506 (AB 506) is an important law you need to know about. Signed into law in 2021, AB 506 sets new requirements to help protect children from abuse by ensuring that staff and volunteers in youth-serving organizations go through proper fingerprint background checks and training. The law took effect on January 1, 2022 and is now codified at California Business and Professions Code Section 18975.
The 30-second version: AB 506 requires three things: DOJ Live Scan background checks, mandated reporter training, and child abuse prevention policies. New for 2026: organizations must also enroll in the DOJ’s CalVECHS Program before January 1, 2027.
Who Does AB 506 Apply To?
AB 506 applies to youth service organizations. The law defines that as an organization that employs or uses people who are mandated reporters because they are administrators or employees of a youth center, youth recreation program, or youth organization. That can include:
- Nonprofits and community organizations
- Churches and faith-based groups with youth programs
- Sports leagues and teams
- Camps and mentoring programs
- Any group that provides services or programs to youth under 18
If your organization fits that description and uses volunteers or staff who have direct contact with children, you’re required to follow AB 506 guidelines.
What Are the Main Requirements?
Under AB 506, organizations must:
- Require background checks – All administrators, employees, and regular volunteers must undergo a California DOJ Live Scan fingerprint background check. A name-only background check doesn’t meet the requirement.
- Ensure mandated reporter training – The same people must complete mandated reporter training, available online through the California Department of Social Services.
- Develop abuse prevention policies – Put child abuse prevention policies and procedures in place. To the greatest extent possible, they must require at least two mandated reporters to be present whenever administrators, employees, or volunteers are in contact with, or supervising, children.
What Counts as a “Regular Volunteer”?
A “regular volunteer” is anyone 18 or older who has direct contact with, or supervision of, children for more than 16 hours per month or 32 hours per year. If your volunteers meet that threshold, they must be fingerprinted and trained under AB 506.
AB 506 Compliance Checklist
To make the process easier, Capital Live Scan created a free AB 506 Compliance Checklist your organization can use to track every required step. Download the AB 506 Compliance Checklist. Below, we walk through each section of the checklist and explain how your organization can prepare for a successful, compliant year.
Step 1: Complete Required Live Scan Background Checks
Register with the California DOJ — and enroll in CalVECHS. An ORI number is required before anyone can be fingerprinted under your organization. And there’s a new step for 2026: the DOJ now requires organizations that fingerprint under Penal Code section 11105.3 to enroll in its new CalVECHS Program before January 1, 2027 in order to keep submitting fingerprints.
CalVECHS also unlocks complete federal (FBI) results, including out-of-state records that standard responses leave out. Read our full CalVECHS enrollment guide.
No ORI yet? DOJ registration can take several weeks, so don’t wait until orientation week. Registration is handled by DOJ, not by Live Scan providers. Organizations apply through DOJ’s Agency Authorization Portal; DOJ’s Applicant Agencies page explains the process.
Identify who needs Live Scan. Fingerprint your employees, administrators, and every regular volunteer who meets the threshold above. Each organization must run its own Live Scan background checks. DOJ sends results only to the agency named on the form, so a clearance from another nonprofit, school, or employer doesn’t carry over.
Request both the state and federal levels of service. Make sure your DOJ authorization and Live Scan requests include both the state (DOJ) and federal (FBI) levels.
Provide the correct Live Scan forms. Each applicant should arrive with a completed Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016, or BCIA 8016VECHS once your organization is enrolled in CalVECHS) with your ORI filled in.
Track completion. Once fingerprinting is complete, maintain records showing applicant names, date fingerprinted, position, and clearance status.
Step 2: Complete Mandated Reporter Training
Administrators, employees, and regular volunteers must complete training in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect. California’s free online mandated reporter training meets the requirement. We recommend finishing it before working with youth.
The checklist also recommends:
- Saving every completion certificate and keeping it on file
- Building training into every new volunteer’s onboarding
Step 3: Adopt Child Abuse Prevention Policies
Your policies must ensure suspected child abuse is reported to people or entities outside your organization. Organizations that provide one-to-one mentoring are exempt from the two-mandated-reporter rule if they adopt the alternative screening and training policies the law lists. We also recommend covering appropriate interactions with minors and supervision expectations.
The checklist also recommends:
- Putting your policies in writing
- Reviewing child protection policies annually
- Keeping documentation ready for your insurance carrier, since carriers may ask for proof of AB 506 compliance
How Capital Live Scan Can Help
At Capital Live Scan, we help organizations across California stay compliant with AB 506 by providing:
- Live Scan fingerprinting at walk-in locations or mobile events.
- Group scheduling for large volunteer leagues, teams, organizations and job fairs.
- Secure and fast service, so your volunteers can get cleared quickly.
Instead of asking dozens of volunteers to travel individually, everyone completes fingerprinting during one organized event, and Capital Live Scan offers no travel or setup fees for qualifying mobile events. Prefer individual visits? Your people can also visit one of our 35+ locations across California. Most need no appointment.
Need your volunteers fingerprinted for AB 506? Request a group quote to host a mobile event, or find a location near you.
Call (916) 829-0350 or email mobile@capitallivescan.com.
AB 506 FAQ
Do background check clearances transfer between organizations?
No. Each organization must run its own Live Scan submissions; a clearance from another nonprofit, school, or employer doesn’t carry over.
How long do Live Scan results take?
Most DOJ responses arrive within 48–72 hours. Some results take longer if the DOJ needs to complete a manual review, which is one more reason to fingerprint volunteers well before your season starts.
Are volunteers mandated reporters?
Generally no. Under Penal Code §11165.7(b), volunteers of organizations that work with children are not mandated reporters, except school volunteers and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. AB 506 still requires regular volunteers to complete training in identifying and reporting child abuse. When in doubt, check with legal counsel.
What is an ORI number?
An ORI is the identifier the DOJ assigns your organization when it’s authorized to receive background check results. No one can be fingerprinted under your organization without one.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. California Assembly Bill 506 (AB 506) requirements and other Live Scan fingerprinting regulations may vary depending on your organization and circumstances. For the most current and official guidance, please visit the California Department of Justice’s Fingerprint Background Checks page. If you have questions about your organization’s legal obligations, please consult qualified legal counsel.
Sources: Business and Professions Code §18975 · AB 506 (2021) · Penal Code §11165.7 · Penal Code §11105.3 · DOJ Information Bulletin 25-04-CJIS · DOJ CalVECHS FAQ · DOJ Applicant Agencies · DOJ Applicant Agencies FAQ