California Volunteer Background Checks: AB 506, Live Scan & CalVECHS (2026)
September 12, 2026
California doesn't have one volunteer-screening law. It has a Live Scan rule for youth service organizations (AB 506), a clearance system for licensed care, and separate rules for schools, camps, child performers and CASA. This video covers which rules reach your program and how to run the checks.
In this video
- AB 506 and the "regular volunteer" rule
- How DOJ Live Scan and CalVECHS work
- Mandated reporting after SB 848, including the 2026 change for school volunteers
- Licensed child care, community care and elder care clearances
- Schools, camps, youth sports, child performers and CASA
- Under AB 506 (Bus. & Prof. Code § 18975), a youth service organization must run a DOJ background check on its administrators, employees and regular volunteers, and they must complete child abuse identification and reporting training.
- A "regular volunteer" is 18 or older, with direct contact with or supervision of children for more than 16 hours a month or 32 hours a year.
- When a statute requires a fingerprint check, it must be requested from the California Department of Justice. Nonprofits pay no state fee; the FBI fee for nonprofit youth organizations is $15, plus the Live Scan operator's fee.
- CalVECHS regulations took effect July 1, 2026. DOJ says organizations authorized under Penal Code § 11105.3 must enroll by the end of 2026 to keep submitting fingerprints.
- Most volunteers aren't mandated reporters. Since January 1, 2026, school volunteers over 18 who work with pupils outside the immediate supervision of a parent or school employee are, as are CASA volunteers.
Key points
Get the free California guide, "Sixteen Hours," with every statute cited:
California volunteer background check requirements at a glance:
California camp screening requirements:
For volunteer roles no California statute covers, VolunteerBadge runs background checks for $5 each, with free ID and live-selfie verification on applications and no setup fee, contract or per-seat fee. A VolunteerBadge check never replaces a DOJ Live Scan check, CDSS clearance, TrustLine or any other check California law requires.
This video summarizes our California guide. Where they differ, the guide and the statutes it cites control. It's general information, not legal advice; confirm your obligations with your licensing agency or an attorney.
