What California employers must give their people

Employers with 5 or more workers, counted anywhere (including contractors). Train every employee in California

1 hour for employees, 2 hours for supervisors, within 6 months of hire or promotion, then every 2 years. Records kept 2 years, including certificates.

Gov. Code §12950.1 · Civil Rights Department courses · checked October 2026

Employers covered by the Fair Employment and Housing Act

Distribute to every employee, with a signed acknowledgment or another method that shows each person received it; translate into any language spoken by 10% or more of a facility's workforce. Acknowledgments or another record that each employee received it.

2 CCR §11023, in the Civil Rights Department's guide · checked October 2026

Every employer

To every employee by February 1 each year, and to new employees at hire. Email or text is allowed. Records kept 3 years, including the date each notice was sent.

Lab. Code §1553 · Labor Commissioner's notice · checked October 2026

Every employer

The DE 2515 and DE 2511 brochures and the Civil Rights Department fact sheet to every new employee; the brochures also to anyone asking for a qualifying leave. No form prescribed; keep proof each employee received them.

Unemp. Ins. Code §2613 · Gov. Code §12950 · checked October 2026

Employers covered by Gov. Code §12945.8 (the leave rights apply at 25 or more employees)

At hire, every year, on request, and when an employee says they or a family member is a victim. No form prescribed; keep proof of each notice.

Gov. Code §12945.8 · checked October 2026

Every employer

Include the policy in the handbook or policies employees get, and give it to new employees at hire and to anyone who asks about parental leave. The written policy and proof it was distributed.

Lab. Code §1034 · checked October 2026

Every employer

At hire or by the end of the first pay period, naming your current insurance carrier. No form prescribed; keep proof of delivery.

8 CCR §9880 · checked October 2026

Every employer

A written program; train employees when it starts, at hire, on new assignments and when new hazards arrive. Training records kept 1 year (simpler logs for very small employers).

8 CCR §3203 · checked October 2026

Nearly every employer (exceptions include health facilities covered by their own standard and small sites closed to the public)

A written plan for each work area; interactive training when the plan starts, every year, and when hazards change. Training records kept 1 year; incident logs and hazard records kept 5 years.

Lab. Code §6401.9 · Cal/OSHA guidance · checked October 2026

Employers with outdoor workplaces (and indoor work areas that reach 82°F) Applies if some people work outdoors.

Train every employee before work with heat exposure, and supervisors before they supervise. A written plan at the worksite and training records.

8 CCR §3395 · 8 CCR §3396 · checked October 2026

Employers whose employees may work outdoors when the air quality index for fine particles reaches 151 Applies if some people work outdoors.

Training that includes at least the information in Appendix B of the rule. Training records.

8 CCR §5141.1 · Appendix B · checked October 2026

Employers whose employees work with hazardous chemicals (federal OSHA, and the state plans that adopt it)

At initial assignment and whenever a new chemical hazard is introduced, covering the chemicals in your workplace. A written hazard communication program, chemical list and safety data sheets the employees can reach. A training record is good practice.

29 CFR 1910.1200 · OSHA hazard communication · checked October 2026

Employers whose employees can reasonably expect contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials

At initial assignment and every year, with a chance to ask a qualified trainer questions during the session. Training records kept 3 years: dates, a summary of content, the trainer's name and qualifications, and attendees.

29 CFR 1910.1030 · checked October 2026

Employers whose employees operate forklifts or other powered industrial trucks

Formal instruction, hands-on training and a workplace evaluation before operating; evaluation at least every 3 years. A certification with the operator's name, training and evaluation dates, and the evaluator's name.

29 CFR 1910.178(l) · checked October 2026

Health care providers, health plans and clearinghouses, and their business associates Applies if you handle patient or health information.

For new staff within a reasonable time, and when policies change; periodic security reminders. Documentation that training was given, kept 6 years.

45 CFR 164.530(b) · 45 CFR 164.308(a)(5) · checked October 2026

Non-bank financial institutions such as tax preparers, mortgage brokers, lenders and finance companies. The small-business exemption does not cover training

Security awareness training for staff, kept up to date with the written information security program. The written information security program and a record of training.

16 CFR 314.4(e) · checked October 2026

Federal grantees of any size, and federal contractors above the contract threshold Applies if you hold US federal contracts or grants.

Give each employee working on the grant or contract the drug-free workplace statement, and run an awareness program. The published statement and evidence each employee received it.

41 U.S.C. 8102 · checked October 2026