How to Become a Foster Parent in California

California doesn't issue a "foster parent license" anymore. Since 2017, the state has used a single process called Resource Family Approval (RFA) that clears you for fostering, legal guardianship, and adoption in one shot. If you've been googling "how to get a foster license in California," you're looking for the RFA process.

Here's what it actually involves, in the order it happens.

Step 1: Decide Whether to Go Through the County or an FFA

Before you submit a single form, you need to make one foundational decision: will you pursue RFA approval through your county welfare department or through a private Foster Family Agency (FFA)?

Both paths lead to the same RFA approval. The differences are in support, specialization, and placement priorities.

• County direct: You work directly with county social workers. There are no agency intermediaries, and you have more direct access to the county system. Placement decisions still depend on county needs and available homes.
• FFA route: A private nonprofit certifies your home on behalf of the county. FFAs typically offer more intensive support, with the exact contact schedule varying by agency, and often specialize in children with higher behavioral or medical needs.

This decision affects your entire experience. Many first-time applicants don't realize they have a choice and simply contact their county by default. Neither option is wrong, but knowing the difference before you start matters.

Step 2: Attend an Orientation

Orientation is the required first step for prospective families. Every prospective family must attend it before training or application processing, and in counties like Los Angeles, you typically cannot proceed with your application until you have attended one.

Orientations are run by either the county or the FFA you're working with. They cover:

• An overview of the RFA process and timeline
• The needs of children in California's foster care system
• What the state expects from resource families
• How to proceed with your application

Many counties offer orientations online. Los Angeles County DCFS runs regular informational sessions that are often the entry point to their formal intake process.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

The initial RFA application packet includes:

• Form RFA-01A — the Resource Family Application (household members, residence, income)
• Form RFA-01B — Criminal Record Statement (self-disclosure of any arrests or convictions)

You submit these to either your county welfare department or your FFA. This opens your case file and officially starts the clock.

Be honest on RFA-01B. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you — many misdemeanors and older felonies are eligible for exemption. But discrepancies between what you disclose and what a background check reveals cause much longer delays than the original issue would have.

Step 4: Complete Background Checks

Every adult 18 or older living in your home must complete LiveScan fingerprinting. This checks:

• California DOJ (state criminal records) — typically clears in 3 business days
• FBI (federal and out-of-state records) — typically clears in 5 business days
• CACI (Child Abuse Central Index) — can take up to 6 weeks
• Megan's Law sex offender registry

If a potentially disqualifying criminal-history record appears, the county or FFA may require an exemption review. The exemption notice gives you 45 days to submit LIC 301E references, a personal statement, and supporting documentation. If you know of a potential issue, dealing with it proactively — having character references ready, knowing the timeline — is far better than being caught off guard.

Step 5: Complete Pre-Approval Training

California requires a minimum of 12 hours of pre-approval training before your application can be finalized. Most counties and FFAs use curriculum based on MAPP (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) or PRIDE.

Training covers:

• Trauma-informed care and child development
• The California child welfare system and juvenile court
• Reunification and concurrent planning
• The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and California's Cal-ICWA requirements when they apply
• The "Reasonable and Prudent Parent" standard

Most counties and FFAs offer training in multiple formats — evening sessions, weekend intensives, and online modules. CPR and First Aid certification is also required; recent Written Directives allow completion within 90 days after approval, but confirm the certification level and local process with your county or FFA.

Step 6: Pass the Home Safety Inspection

A county worker or FFA assessor will visit your home and complete the RFA-03 Home Health and Safety Assessment. Key requirements:

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in every sleeping area hallway (functional)
• Firearms must be unloaded, in a locked container; ammunition stored separately and locked
• Pools must have a 5-foot fence with self-closing, self-latching gates that swing away from the water
• Medications and household cleaners locked or inaccessible to children
• No more than 4 children per bedroom; each child needs their own bed

Most homes pass with minor corrections. The items that fail most often: hot water heater temperature set too high (maximum 120 degrees Fahrenheit), missing CO detectors, or firearm storage that doesn't keep the firearm unloaded and ammunition separately locked.

Step 7: Complete the Family Evaluation

The family evaluation (Form RFA-05) is the most substantive part of the process. A county worker or FFA assessor conducts at least two face-to-face interviews with each applicant, covering:

• Your childhood and family history
• Your motivation for fostering
• Your discipline philosophy (corporal punishment is strictly prohibited in all forms)
• Your current relationships and support network
• Your readiness to care for children with specific needs

These interviews are not designed to catch you out. They're designed to understand who you are and whether you're prepared for the reality of fostering. Honest, reflective answers serve you better than polished ones.

Timeline Expectations

The state's target is 90 days from application to approval. In practice:

• Los Angeles: 9 to 12 months is common due to backlog
• Bay Area (Alameda, Santa Clara): 4 to 6 months, with staffing shortages causing delays
• Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino): 5 to 8 months
• San Diego: 3 to 6 months, generally the fastest major county

Once approved, your RFA does not expire on a fixed date. It requires an annual update and 8 hours of continuing training per year to remain active.

The California Foster Care Licensing Guide walks through each of these steps in detail — including the forms, the common mistakes that cause delays, and how to navigate the county vs. FFA decision based on your specific goals and county of residence.

See more California guides →