Workplace Violence Prevention Training Online (California SB 553)

Versión en español

Short answer.

Federal OSHA has no specific standard on workplace violence (osha.gov/workplace-violence). Employers are still bound by the General Duty Clause, which requires a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm (OSH Act section 5(a)(1)). California is different. Labor Code 6401.9 (SB 553) requires a written workplace violence prevention plan and training, and it has been enforceable since July 1, 2024 (Cal/OSHA). The M Squared course on this page is a California course. It is not a national workplace violence standard, because none exists.

Which course do I need?

M Squared sells one workplace violence prevention course, built on California Labor Code 6401.9 and 6401.7(a)(7). Its product page says it is written at the Authorized User level. It is available in English and Spanish.

Your situation English Spanish
Employee at a California workplace covered by Labor Code 6401.9 Workplace Violence Prevention (Cal/OSHA) Online Training Prevención de la violencia en el lugar de trabajo (Cal/OSHA): capacitación en línea

If you work outside California, this course does not map to a federal requirement. Check the OSHA training requirements by state page and your own state agency. For a short crew meeting on the subject there is a Workplace Violence Prevention Toolbox Talk, which does not replace required training. Other courses are in the Cal/OSHA online courses, the Cursos en línea en español and the M Squared Training Academy hub.

What California requires

Cal/OSHA says the plan requirements apply to all employers, employees, places of employment and employer-provided housing, except those listed in subsection (b) of Labor Code 6401.9 (Cal/OSHA employer fact sheet). This page does not list those exceptions; read the statute to see whether yours applies. Covered employers must establish, implement and maintain a written plan, which can be a separate document or a section of the Injury and Illness Prevention Program under 8 CCR 3203 (Cal/OSHA). The plan must be in writing and easily accessible to employees, their authorized representatives and Cal/OSHA (fact sheet).

The fact sheet lists these plan elements:

  • Names of the persons responsible for implementing the plan.
  • Procedures for employee involvement.
  • Methods to coordinate with other employers, where applicable.
  • Procedures for handling reports of violence, with no retaliation against employees who report.
  • Procedures to ensure compliance by employees, including supervisors, and to communicate with employees about violence matters.
  • Emergency response protocols.
  • Training provisions.
  • Hazard identification and evaluation inspections when the plan is first set up, periodically, after violent incidents and when a new hazard becomes known, plus procedures to correct hazards in a timely way.
  • Post-incident response and investigation procedures.
  • Plan review annually, when a deficiency becomes apparent and after a violent incident.

Cal/OSHA publishes a model plan for general industry. For how the plan fits into an IIPP, see California IIPP requirements: the eight elements of 8 CCR 3203. For the construction angle, read SB 553 workplace violence prevention for construction.

What the training must cover

Employers must provide training when the program starts and then every year. Additional training is required when new or previously unidentified hazards are found, or when the plan changes, and it should focus on that hazard or change. The fact sheet lists the required content (Cal/OSHA fact sheet):

  • The plan, how to get a copy, and how employees take part in developing and implementing it.
  • The definitions and requirements of Labor Code 6401.9.
  • How to report incidents without fear of retaliation.
  • Job-specific violence hazards and preventive measures.
  • The purpose of the violent incident log and how to get related records.
  • Opportunities for interactive discussions with someone knowledgeable about the employer's plan.

Training must be effective, and the materials must suit workers' education, reading skills and language. Cal/OSHA's worker fact sheet says workers are entitled to training they understand, in a language they understand (worker fact sheet).

Records

Cal/OSHA lists these minimum retention periods: training records for one year, and hazard identification, evaluation and correction records, violent incident logs and incident investigation records for five years (fact sheet). Every workplace violence incident goes in the violent incident log, including incidents without injury, and personal identifying information is left out of the log. Workers can request the hazard records and training records, and the employer must provide them within 15 calendar days of the request (worker fact sheet).

Is there a Cal/OSHA standard yet?

Labor Code 6401.9 directs Cal/OSHA to develop a workplace violence prevention standard. Cal/OSHA's general industry page says the Standards Board is required to adopt it no later than December 31, 2026 (Cal/OSHA). As of November 13, 2026, Cal/OSHA's rulemaking page lists the work as advisory meetings on a draft of title 8, section 3343, with a Revised Draft Standard dated July 22, 2026. The page lists an in-person advisory meeting on October 27, 2026 on the updated draft and does not report an outcome (Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry). We found no adopted standard. Until one is adopted, the statute itself is what employers are held to, and Cal/OSHA can cite directly to the Labor Code (Cal/OSHA laws page).

Questions you may have

Does OSHA have a workplace violence standard?

No. OSHA says there are currently no specific OSHA standards for workplace violence. Employers still have the General Duty Clause duty to furnish a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

When did California's workplace violence prevention plan requirement start?

Cal/OSHA says the requirement was in effect and enforceable on July 1, 2024. SB 553 was signed on September 30, 2023.

How often is workplace violence training required in California?

Employers must provide training when the program starts and then every year, plus additional training when new or previously unidentified hazards are found or the plan changes.

How long must training records be kept?

Cal/OSHA lists a minimum of one year for workplace violence prevention plan training records.

Does an online course satisfy the training requirement?

Cal/OSHA requires training that includes opportunities for interactive discussion with someone knowledgeable about the employer's plan, and job-specific hazards and preventive measures. Our course page says it does not replace the training your employer must give on your own job, including site-specific training and hands-on practice and evaluation where the rule requires them.

What do I receive when I finish?

Per the course page, you take a final exam and receive a certificate of completion from M Squared Safety Solutions, Inc. when you pass. The certificate is not an OSHA or Cal/OSHA credential.

How training works here

You take the course online at your own pace, on a phone or a computer. The course has a final exam. If you have a question about the material, call an M Squared trainer at 949-954-6581, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific time.

The limit: this course covers California only and does not replace the training your employer must give on your own job, including your employer's written plan, and site-specific hazards. Cal/OSHA also requires opportunities for interactive discussion with someone knowledgeable about the employer's plan.