Vendor Information
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- Update: Administrator Certification Training Requirements
- Notice: Fee Structure for Vendors
- NEW! The ACS Now Accepts Online Payments for Vendor Applications and Request for Course Approvals
- Application Processing
- Vendor Resources
- Core of Knowledge Curricula
Update to the ACS Mailing Address
Please be advised that the ACS Mail Station (MS) address has changed:
Community Care Licensing Division
Administrator Certification Section (ACS)
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA 95814
Changes to Administrator Certification Training Requirements
PIN 23-14-CCLD – (Changes to Administrator Certification Training Requirements)
Pursuant to the recently passed Assembly Bill (AB) 120, prospective and current Certified Administrators have the option to satisfy live training requirements for Initial Certification Training Programs (ICTP) and Continuing Education Training Programs (CETP) via Department-approved in-person or live-stream training. Additionally, AB 120 clarifies the requirements for individuals seeking certification or recertification as an ARFPSHN Administrator. Please refer to PIN 23-14-CCLD for more information regarding the changes to the administrator certification training requirements, including changes to course format terminology.
Administrators and vendors are encouraged to become familiar with the amendments to Health and Safety Code sections 1522.41, 1562.3, 1567.50, and 1569.616.
Administrator Certification Training Requirements
The COVID-19 waivers related to course offerings for Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) and Continuing Education Training Program (CETP) ended February 28, 2023. To support greater access to training opportunities for current and prospective Administrators, the Administrator Certification Program (ACP) will allow vendors who were previously approved through the State of Emergency (SOE) Waiver Terms and Conditions, to resume live instruction (live-stream) through online platforms effective April 1, 2023.
As a result, current and/or prospective Administrators may fulfill required live instruction hours either in-person or live-stream from an approved vendor. If an administrator chooses to access a live-stream course, the course must be offered by an ACP vendor who has been approved by ACP to specifically provide livestream instruction. You may access ACP-approved vendors on the Administrator Certification Section website. Be advised that ICTP and CETP training requirements still apply and include, but are not limited to, the number of hours as noted below:
ICTP Requirements (must be conducted live, whether in-person or live-stream)
- Group Home (GH): 40 hours
- Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP): 40 hours
- STRTP with valid GH certificate issued by the Department: 12 hours
- Adult Residential Facility (ARF): 35 hours
- Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE): 80 hours, 20 of which may be completed via self-paced/on-demand training
- RCFE-NHA: 12 hours with a valid Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) license issued by the Department of Public Health
CETP Requirements (at least half of which must be conducted live, whether in-person or live-stream)
- GH: 40 hours
- STRTP: 40 hours
- ARF: 40 hours
- RCFE: 40 hours
- RCFE-NHA: 20 hours with a valid NHA license issued by the Department of Public Health, 20 of which may be completed via self-paced/on-demand training
Stay Informed: Fee Structure for Vendors
PIN 21-11-CCLD – (Changes to Administrator Certification Program Fees)
In accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 135, an increase to the Administrator Certification Program fees is effective July 1, 2023. The fee changes include increases to existing fees for processing Initial and Continuing Education Training Program vendor applications and new fees for processing Continuing Education Training Program course applications. Refer to PIN 21-11-CCLD, for additional information about fee changes.
Initial Certification Training Program (ICTP) Vendor Application Fee Increases
The non-refundable fees for processing ICTP vendor applications are as follows:
These fees reflect an annual 10 percent increase from the base fee ($150), not to exceed a total of 40 percent over a four-year period.
- Year 1: Effective July 1, 2021
- Initial Application: $165
- Renewal Application: $165
- Year 2: Effective July 1, 2022
- Initial Application: $180
- Renewal Application: $180
- Year 3: Effective July 1, 2023
- Initial Application: $195
- Renewal Application: $195
- Year 4: Effective July 1, 2024
- Initial Application: $210
- Renewal Application: $210
The application fee applies to each vendor application for each facility type.
Continuing Education Training Program (CETP) Vendor Application Fee Increases
The non-refundable fees for processing CETP vendor applications are as follows:
These fees reflect an annual 10 percent increase from the base fee ($100), not to exceed a total of 40 percent over a four-year period.
- Year 1: Effective July 1, 2021
- Initial Application: $110
- Renewal Application: $110
- Year 2: Effective July 1, 2022
- Initial Application: $120
- Renewal Application: $120
- Year 3: Effective July 1, 2023
- Initial Application: $130
- Renewal Application: $130
- Year 4: Effective July 1, 2024
- Initial Application: $140
- Renewal Application: $140
Continuing Education Training Program Vendor Course Application Fees
A non-refundable processing fee of $10 per unit (or hour) is required for course processing. Course fees apply only to Continuing Education Training Program courses.
- Example: A vendor submits a new course request for a three-hour CETP course. Three (3) hours/units multiplied by $10 equals $30. The vendor course fee is $30.
The law makes no distinction between the course delivery method (in-person or online) and the fee.
The ACS has developed a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource for vendors. If you have any questions regarding fee changes, please submit your questions to ACSVendorInfo@dss.ca.gov.
Vendor Information – Application Processing
The ACS encourages vendors to submit vendor applications, course requests, change of instructor requests, rosters, etc., using the Vendor Automation Platform. The platform allows vendors to track submissions and receive ACS notices confirming the transaction.
Registering to access the system is free and easy. A one-time registration for your vendorship will be required upon your first use of service. Registering for an account does not mean you are an approved vendor.
If you have questions or wish to share feedback on the Vendor Automation Platform, contact the Administrator Certification Section – Vendor Support and Review Unit at: ACSVendorInfo@dss.ca.gov.
Click the following link to register and sign-in to the platform:
Vendor Automation Platform
Application Processing Fees
Credit card payments for application processing fees are only available for applications submitted online through the Vendor Automation Platform. For any Vendor Applications or Request for Course Approvals submitted via postal mail, please send a check or money order with the corresponding Notice of Payment Information below.
- Use the following document to submit identifying vendor information with your payment:
Note: Paper applications with identifying vendor information must be mailed to the ACS at:
CDSS – ACS
744 P Street, MS 9-15-807
Sacramento, CA 95814
ATTN: Vendor Support and Review Unit
If you have questions or wish to share feedback on the service, contact Michael Estioko at: Michael.Estioko@dss.ca.gov
Vendor Resources
For general information or questions, contact the Vendor Help Desk:
ACSVendorInfo@dss.ca.gov
Core of Knowledge Curricula