SB 553 Training Requirements for California Practices
Who has to do it
California Labor Code §6401.9, added by SB 553, has been enforceable since July 1, 2024. It covers most California employers. The main exceptions are:
- Facilities already covered by Cal/OSHA’s health care workplace violence standard (8 CCR §3342), which mainly covers hospitals and certain other health facilities and services.
- Employees teleworking from a place they choose that the employer does not control.
- Places with fewer than 10 employees at any time that are not open to the public.
A dental or medical office that sees patients is open to the public, so it is usually covered even with a small team.
When staff must be trained
| When | Who |
|---|---|
| When your written plan is first set up | Every employee covered by the plan |
| Once a year after that | Every employee covered by the plan |
| When a new or newly recognized hazard is found, or the plan changes | Staff affected, on the new hazard or change |
New hires should be trained before or soon after they start, so they know how to report a concern from day one.
What the training must cover
- Your written workplace violence prevention plan, how to get a copy, and how staff can help shape it.
- What the law means by workplace violence and what it requires.
- How to report incidents and concerns to the practice or to law enforcement without fear of retaliation.
- The hazards specific to their job and the steps the practice takes to reduce them.
- How to get help to prevent or respond to violence, and ways to avoid physical harm.
- The violent incident log and how to get copies of the required records.
- A chance to ask questions and get answers from someone who knows your plan. An online course alone cannot do this part. Your office manager or plan administrator needs to be available to staff.
Records you must keep
| Record | Keep for at least |
|---|---|
| Training records: dates, a summary of the content, who taught it and their qualifications, names and job titles of those trained | 1 year |
| Violent incident log | 5 years |
| Hazard identification, evaluation and correction records | 5 years |
| Incident investigation records | 5 years |
What is changing
SB 553 requires the Cal/OSHA Standards Board to adopt a detailed workplace violence standard for general industry by December 31, 2026. A revised draft was released in August 2026 and is still being discussed. Until the final standard takes effect, Labor Code §6401.9 is the rule to follow. Practices that already train every year and keep good records will be in a strong position either way.
A 5-step plan for a dental or medical office
- Write your workplace violence prevention plan, or check the one you have against our free SB 553 checklist.
- Name a plan administrator, usually the office manager, who will answer staff questions.
- Train every employee, and set one month each year for the refresher.
- Start a violent incident log, even if it stays empty.
- Keep the training records and review the plan at least once a year.
Our SB 553 Workplace Violence program runs online in English or Spanish, takes about an hour, and gives every person a dated certificate anyone can verify, with a 12-month renewal date and reminders before it is due.
SB 553 trainingFree checklistCommon questions
How often is SB 553 training required?
When your workplace violence prevention plan is first set up, then every year, plus extra training when a new hazard is found or the plan changes.
Does SB 553 apply to small dental offices?
Usually yes. The small-workplace exception only covers places with fewer than 10 employees that are not open to the public. A dental office that sees patients is open to the public.
Can SB 553 training be done online?
Yes, but staff must also have a chance to ask questions and get answers from someone who knows your plan, such as the office manager.
How long must SB 553 training records be kept?
At least one year. The violent incident log and hazard records must be kept at least five years.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Sources: Cal/OSHA: workplace violence prevention in general industry · California Labor Code §6401.9 · Cal/OSHA, 8 CCR §3342 · CalChamber: workplace violence rule update (August 2026).