--- title: "Workplace violence training in the US: the rules, state by state" description: "Which US rules require hospitals and employers to run workplace violence training, from the Joint Commission to California, and how staff practise it." canonical: https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-united-states --- [Learn](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn) / Standards # Workplace violence training in the United States, rule by rule An accreditor, federal rules and a growing list of states each ask for it. Find the ones that reach your staff. The moment ## Every rule is written about a moment like this A relative raising his voice at [a hospital triage desk](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/de-escalation-training-healthcare). A [customer who will not calm down](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/customer-aggression-training) at the register. A passenger who turns on [a bus driver](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries/transport-logistics) late at night. United States employers are asked to prepare staff for each one. A family member in the hospital corridor. A customer waits for your answer. A passenger at the cab, late at night. Who asks for it ## Federal, accreditor and state rules reach one workforce [OSHA](https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence/enforcement) has no specific workplace violence standard and relies on its General Duty Clause. The detailed training duties come from an accreditor, from federal rules for particular settings, and from the states. The hospital corridor every rule covers. ### The accreditor Every hospital accredited by [the Joint Commission](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/joint-commission-workplace-violence) trains leaders, staff and licensed practitioners [at hire, annually and whenever the program changes](https://digitalassets.jointcommission.org/api/public/content/0c8d9cd5ed3145b6bc9369920b69ca21?v=9dec6a64), including in de-escalation and nonphysical intervention skills. A driver and supervisor, before the shift. ### Federal rules for particular settings Transit agencies run safety training that [includes de-escalation training](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-673). [Psychiatric residential treatment facilities](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-483/subpart-G/section-483.376) have staff demonstrate in practice the techniques they have learned. State by state ## What each state asks, in a line or two Most of the detail sits in state law. Each entry links to our guide to that rule, or to the statute itself. Open hands and a low voice, rehearsed. ### California Most employers train staff on a written plan under [SB 553](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/california-sb-553-training). Health care employers also work to a [health care rule](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) that names de-escalation and practice with colleagues. ### Nevada [Nevada medical facilities](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nevada-workplace-violence-training) let patient-facing staff practise de-escalation with colleagues, debrief each session, and keep a record of it. A duty manager hears a customer out. ### Washington [Health care settings in Washington](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/washington-violence-prevention-training) train within ninety days of hire, including strategies to prevent physical harm with hands-on practice or role play. ### New York [Retail employers in New York](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/new-york-retail-worker-safety-act) train on de-escalation tactics, active shooter drills and emergency procedures, and the State’s model program must be interactive. A clinician gives a young man room. ### Oregon, Minnesota, Ohio and Virginia [Oregon](https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors654.html) names verbal and physical techniques to de-escalate. [Minnesota](https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/144.566) trains hospital staff before a first independent shift, and annually. [Ohio](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3727.18) keeps someone trained in de-escalation in the emergency department at all times. [Virginia](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title32.1/chapter5/section32.1-127/) names de-escalation in hospital security training. A teacher kneels between two pupils. ### Schools [Massachusetts](https://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr46.html?section=04) asks for the simulated experience of administering and receiving physical restraint. [Illinois](https://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/023/023000010B02850R.html) allows online training for every area except physical restraint. See [de-escalation training for school staff](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/school-de-escalation-training). ### Records Each rule sets its own record and retention period. See [workplace violence training records](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-records). How to train ## Several rules say how, and not only what A slide deck can cover a list of topics. These rules ask staff to practise the skill and show it. A practice run, talked through afterwards. ### Rehearsal, then a debrief California and Nevada ask for practice with the colleagues staff work with, then a meeting to debrief it. [Federal home health rules](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-484) define a pseudo-patient as a person trained to take part in a role-play, or a computer-based mannequin. Two prospective students talk in a campus courtyard. ### A record of each session Nevada requires a record of each training session, and the Joint Commission asks for documentation. A register of who practised what, and when, answers both. Beyond the United States ## The same duty, under other names Employers in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada prepare staff for the same moments. A nurse faces a visitor at the desk. ### Australia Hospitals are assessed on [the NSQHS action on de-escalation](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nsqhs-action-5-34) and on [the action on mandatory training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nsqhs-action-1-20). Other employers manage it as [occupational violence](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/occupational-violence-australia) and as a [psychosocial hazard](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/psychosocial-hazards). A parent and clinician, in a recreated Mater setting. ### United Kingdom and Canada NHS England’s [violence prevention and reduction standard](https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/violence-prevention-and-reduction-standard/) asks for suitable and sufficient training for all staff. Canada’s [federal regulations](https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2020-130/FullText.html) require training specific to the culture, conditions and activities of the work place. How it runs ## Practice that feels like the shift Staff rehearse in a [VR headset](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/virtual-reality) or with an [AI roleplay partner](https://peopletechrevolution.com/ai/ai-roleplay-practice), then run it again until it holds. See it on a ward in the [Mater Education case study](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/case-studies/mater-speaking-with-good-judgement). A customer at the counter, in the headset. A practice partner, face to face. A facilitator beside the first attempt. Questions ## What employers ask first Short answers to the questions that follow a first reading of the rules. A nurse alone after a hard shift. ### Does OSHA require workplace violence training? OSHA has no specific workplace violence standard. The training duties come from the Joint Commission, from federal rules for particular settings, and from state law. A community nurse greets an older woman at her door. ### How often is it repeated? At hire and annually in most of these rules, including the Joint Commission, both California rules, Nevada and Minnesota. A maternity checkup, seen through the headset. ### Does online training meet these rules? Several rules ask for more than a module: practice with colleagues and a debrief in California and Nevada, and hands-on practice or role play in Washington. See [what the research on VR training shows](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/does-vr-training-work). - [Joint Commission workplace violence training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/joint-commission-workplace-violence) - [California SB 553 training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/california-sb-553-training) - [Nevada workplace violence training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nevada-workplace-violence-training) - [Washington violence prevention training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/washington-violence-prevention-training) - [Occupational violence and aggression training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/occupational-violence-aggression-training) - [Hospital de-escalation training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries/healthcare-medical) Training staff in the United States? [Open the contact form](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-united-states#contact) Ask Simon’s Digital Twin a question ## Sources Each rule in full, on the regulator’s own site. ### [Workplace violence: enforcement](https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence/enforcement) Occupational Safety and Health Administration No specific OSHA standard; employers are held to the General Duty Clause. ### [Preventing workplace violence](https://www.jointcommission.org/en-us/standards/national-performance-goals/preventing-workplace-violence) The Joint Commission The national performance goal on workplace violence for accredited hospitals. ### [R3 Report: Workplace Violence Prevention Standards](https://digitalassets.jointcommission.org/api/public/content/0c8d9cd5ed3145b6bc9369920b69ca21?v=9dec6a64) The Joint Commission The requirement text: training at hire, annually and on change, including de-escalation. ### [Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) California Code of Regulations, Title 8 Names de-escalation, and practice with colleagues followed by a debrief. ### [Labor Code section 6401.9](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=6401.9) California Legislative Information The general industry law behind SB 553: a written plan and annual training. ### [Workplace violence at medical facilities](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-618.html) Nevada Revised Statutes, chapter 618 Practice with colleagues, a debrief, and a record of each session. ### [Violence prevention training in health care settings](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=49.19.030) Revised Code of Washington Training within ninety days of hire, with hands-on practice or role play. ### [Retail Worker Safety Act](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LAB/27-E) New York Labor Law De-escalation tactics, active shooter drills and emergency procedures. ### [Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-673) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Transit safety training that includes de-escalation training. ### [Home Health Services](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-G/part-484) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations Defines a pseudo-patient and simulation for home health aide training.