California
Do I need a court-approved parenting class in California, and can I take it online?
Quick answer
Only if the judge in your case orders one or your local court requires one. In the California code sections and court self-help pages we read, there is no statewide rule that every parent in a custody case must take a parenting class, so whether you need one, and whether an online course is accepted, depends on your order and your court. Other states have their own rules.
Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal · Last updated October 2026
What the law says
The closest statewide rule is Family Code section 3190(a), which lets the court require the parents, other parties, and the child “to participate in outpatient counseling with a licensed mental health professional, or through other community programs and services that provide appropriate counseling,” for not more than one year, if it finds the dispute “poses a substantial danger to the best interest of the child” and that the counseling is in the child’s best interest. Section 3191: “The counseling pursuant to this chapter shall be specifically designed to facilitate communication between the parties regarding their minor child’s best interest, to reduce conflict regarding custody or visitation, and to improve the quality of parenting skills of each parent.”
Under section 3190(c), if the cost does not jeopardize a party’s other financial obligations, the court fixes the cost and divides it between the parties in the proportions it deems reasonable.
The courts’ self-help page on parenting resources says: “Contact your court's Family Court Services to find out if they have a list of suggested parenting classes in your area.” Custody mediation has its own orientation, and the self-help mediation page says: “Some courts have their orientation online, some are in person, and some provide a combination of these methods.”
What to do next
If a judge ordered a class or counseling, read the order for the provider, the number of sessions, and the deadline, and ask your court’s Family Court Services or self-help center whether an online course will be accepted before you pay for one. Keep the completion certificate and file or bring it as the order directs. If your case is in another state, check that state’s court website.
Last checked against the sources above on October 8, 2026.
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This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.
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