When is the written report due after the telephone report?

• A. Within 24 hours
• B. Within 48 hours
• C. Immediately after the telephone report
• D. Within 36 hours

Answer: (D)

In mandated reporting, you start with an immediate telephone report to alert the appropriate agency and protect the child, and then you complete a written report within a set deadline to provide a thorough, formal record of what was observed. The required timeframe for the written report is 36 hours after the initial telephone report. This window lets you gather and document the details—who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred, and any injuries or disclosure—that the investigation will rely on, while still ensuring a prompt, official record is created. The other timeframes don’t align with the policy because the written report isn’t meant to be immediate after the phone call, nor is it meant to be delayed for days; 36 hours is the established balance between timely notification and careful documentation.