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Initial Training

Training Required Before You Can Be Licensed{collapse}

Children's Mental Health (CMH) Training

Children's Mental Health Training must be completed before you can be licensed. To complete this training:
- Watch the Children's Mental Health video
- Complete the children's mental health training and provide the certificate of completion to your social worker.
Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Training

You must complete this training before you can be licensed. To complete this training:
- Watch the Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Training video Opens a New Window.
- Complete the Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Post-Test (PDF) Opens a New Window. and submit it to your Child Foster Care social worker.
This training is required by Minnesota Statues, section 260C.212, subd.14 Opens a New Window.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Training
The training requirements for child foster care licensing in Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.175 were amended to add an annual requirement of one hour of training on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders within the first 12 months of licensure. After the first 12 months of licensure, training on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders may be part of the 12 hours of the required in-service training per year.
See options for FASD trainings here
Please remember to complete a Self Study Questionnaire for any trainings that do not have a Certificate of Attendance.
Mandated Reporter Training
This training is designed to help you understand the mandated reporter laws and requirements, including the actions you need to take if you know or suspect a child is being maltreated.
- Complete the 45 minute Mandated Reporter Training
- After completing the training you will receive a Certificate of Completion to fill out and print or email to your Foster Care Social Worker.
- View the Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concerns for more information.

Training Required if Providing Care for Children Ages 8 and Under{collapse}

Basic Education for Safe Travel (B.E.S.T.) Program:
As part of Minnesota Statute § 142B.51, foster care and daycare providers are required to complete a
car seat safety training every 5 years. The Child and Restraint Systems (C.A.R.S.) Program is
transitioning to the new B.E.S.T. (Basic Education for Safe Travel) Program. This streamlined, hybrid
approach will ensure providers receive up-to-date information, while offering proper training on the
correct use of child restraint systems, based on the child’s size, weight and age, as well as the proper
installation of car seats or booster seats in the vehicle used by the provider to transport children.
Please consult with your Child Foster Care Social Worker for information on how to access this training.
See 2024 changes to the Child Passenger Safety Law in MN here.

Training Required if Providing Care for Children Ages 5 and Under{collapse}

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUID) & Abusive Head Trauma (AHT)
You must complete this training before you can be licensed. To complete this training:
- Watch these approved online videos Opens a New Window. .
- Complete the SUID Post Test (PDF) Opens a New Window. , and submit the post test to your Child Foster Care social worker.
- Complete the AHT Post Test (PDF) Opens a New Window. , and submit it to your Child Foster Care social worker.
Under Minnesota Statute § 245A.144 Opens a New Window. , child foster care providers caring for infants or children through 5 years of age must be instructed and receive training on SUID/AHT at least once every 5 years.
Under Minnesota Statute § 245A.1445 Opens a New Window. , there is an option to watch a video training to meet the requirements for SUID/AHT training.