Family, Friend, & Neighbor Care

What is family, friend, & neighbor care?

Child care providers and facilities legally operating without a license are referred to as family, friend, & neighbor or license-exempt providers.

If care is provided to someone’s own child(ren) or those of a relative(such as a grandchild), and children from only one other family, then a child care license is not required and the provider is legally exempt
(license-exempt) from licensure requirements in California.

If care and supervision are provided to non-relative children from more than one family in the home or non-residential facility for periods of less than 24 hours, a license is likely needed.

TrustLine Information

The TrustLine is California’s is a criminal background screening and clearance process for in-home child care providers. A background check discloses information about any criminal history that a potential child care provider may have. TrustLine uses the California Criminal History System, administered by the Department of Justice, to check the fingerprints of applicants. California’s Child Abuse Central Index also is examined for substantiated child abuse reports, and the Federal Branch of Investigation criminal history records are examined. The California Department of Justice provides updates to ensure the continued eligibility status of a registrant. Child Care Providers who are not required to be licensed in California and who are providing child care to parents that receive a state or federal child care subsidy are required by law to register with TrustLine, except for grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

TrustLine Training and Support

Guardian is the TrustLine service in California.  

Please visit the Guardian webpage and the appropriate blue boxes on the webpage for more information, training resources, and links to the system.
To check the background check status of a potential employee without using Guardian, please visit the new publicly available Background Check Search website.
For questions regarding Guardian, feel free to email Guardian@dss.ca.gov.
Guardian for TrustLine Flyer

For more information about TrustLine, visit the TrustLine website or call (800) 822-8490.

TrustLine Forms

TLR 301E: TrustLine Reference Request – Exemption
TLR 9163G (8/23): TrustLine Registry Application

Check whether a specific child care provider is registered on TrustLine: (800) 822-8490

For more information about TrustLine, visit the TrustLine website or call (800) 822-8490.

Resources and Support

The following additional information and materials are available to help you. 

California Child Care Resource & Referral Network: (800) KIDS-793
California Department of Justice: (916) 227-2300
Find the Child Care Resource & Referral Network chapter that serves your community: (800) KIDS-793

(Source: California Department of Social Services — https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care/caregiver-background-check/trustline)