Act 31 - Pennsylvania Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting

At the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, we are committed to helping you stay eligible for licensing and current in our industry so you can continue serving your patients well. Our two- and three-credit courses are available to all and accessible in a variety of formats — study at home, attend our online webinar, or attend a live session online or in person. All PPA members also receive a 50% discount on their course of choice.

Review the entirety of Act 31 here. You can also learn about changes to informed consent here. 

Understanding Your Requirements

As of 2015, all licensed healthcare professionals must complete a minimum of two hours of continuing education through an approved course in child abuse recognition and reporting to renew their license in Pennsylvania. If you are applying for licensure for the first time, you must take a three-credit course. This course is a more intensive version of the two-credit option to prepare you for your early experiences as a licensed psychologist. Both courses count toward your Continuing Education (CE) requirements.

Our Act 31 Courses

For years, PPA has offered a range of continuing education courses at reduced prices for our members, including qualified Act 31 courses. Our full CE programs have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Department of Human Services, allowing you to rest assured that every course we provide will help you achieve your requirements.

Our online home studies and prerecorded webinars let you complete this requirement at your convenience, whenever and wherever you have time. No travel, extravagant costs, or schedule rearrangement is necessary.

Recognizing and Responding to Suspected Child Abuse in Pennsylvania (2 CE Credits - License Renewal)

Most psychologists will meet their child abuse CE requirements with this course. If you already have your license and need to complete a course to renew it, this is the option you should choose.

Recognizing and Responding to Suspected Child Abuse in Pennsylvania: Extended Version (3 CE Credits - For New Licensees)

If this is your first time completing mandated reporter training, you should sign up for this extended, three-credit session, as it is the requirement to apply for licensure.

What You Need to Know About PPA's Submission Process

The processing of Act 31 course completions is not automatic. Once you complete your Act 31 training, it is a manual process that typically requires up to 48 hours for PPA staff to send your proof of completion to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Once submitted, it may take the Commonwealth an additional 48 hours to post your completion to your PALS account associated with your professional license or application. PPA encourages you to stay on top of your requirements and complete our Act 31 training well in advance of the November 30, 2027, psychology license renewal deadline.

Become a PPA member and sign up for your Act 31 course and other continuing education programs to stay up to date on our field's most important advancements. Questions about these courses? Contact us at 717.349.1769 or erin@papsy.org.