Health Care Provider Infection Control Training

In August 1992, legislation was passed establishing a requirement that certain health care professionals must receive training on infection control and barrier precautions every four years upon renewal of their license. In October 2017, legislation was passed requiring the inclusion of sepsis awareness and education into the training curriculum.

The Infection Control and Barrier Precaution law applies to the following professions: physicians, physician assistants, specialist assistants, optometrists, podiatrists, dentists, dental hygienists, registered professional nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical students, medical residents, and physician assistant students.

For a summary of the changes made to infection control training, please see our Frequently Asked Questions - Infection Control Updates

Where to Obtain Training

Providers of infection control training are approved by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The following lists include providers approved by both; approved on-line distance learning courses are available through the NYSED web site.

Physicians, physician assistants, specialist assistants, medical students, medical residents, and physician assistant students with questions regarding the Infection Control Training should contact the NYSDOH Healthcare Epidemiology Infection Control Program at 518-474-1142 or by e-mail at icp@health.ny.gov. For questions from all other professionals, please contact NYSED at 518-474-3817 ext. 360 or by e-mail at OPPLEUIC@mail.nysed.gov.

How to Obtain an Exemption

Graduates from New York State medical schools and/or residency programs are automatically credited with having completed the initial requirement as part of their coursework. Four years after graduating from a New York medical school and/or residency program, the affected professionals will be required to complete the infection control and barrier precautions course prior to licensure renewal.

Professionals who have received equivalent training (e.g., Infectious Disease specialists, Certified Infection Control Practitioners), those who are not actively practicing in New York State (e.g., retirees, practicing in a different state), and those who do not provide direct patient care or oversee individuals or programs where others are responsible for providing patient care or reprocessing patient care equipment may apply for exemption from training.

As of November 3, 2008, all exempted providers will be required to renew their exemption every four years.

Physicians, physician assistants and specialist assistants should apply to the NYSDOH for exemption.

The Department is pleased to announce paperless exemption applications for physicians, physician assistants, and specialist assistants interested in applying for exemption from NYS-mandated Infection Control and Barrier Precautions Training. As of 5/13/2019, these professionals can access the on-line application at:

Dentists, dental hygienists, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, optometrists, and podiatrists should apply to the State Education Department (SED) for exemption. NYSED can be contacted at 518-474-3817 ext. 360 or by e-mail at OPPLEUIC@mail.nysed.gov.

Information for Providers of the Infection Control Training Course

The Department is pleased to announce the new paperless infection control course provider application. As of 5/13/2019, persons interested in seeking approval to serve as a provider of the infection control course, who primarily train physicians, physician assistants, or specialist assistants must apply to the NYSDOH using the online application located here:

Organizations such as healthcare facilities regulated by the NYSDOH, or whose membership consists of NYSDOH-regulated facilities and who offer educational services to primarily physicians, physician assistants or specialist assistants must apply to the NYSDOH using the application directly above.

Note: Applicants must have a valid New York State Health Commerce System (HCS) account to access the online application. To apply for an HCS account, please visit The HCS website.

Organizations or persons that primarily will be training dental hygienists, dentists, licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses, optometrists and podiatrists should apply to the SED at 518-474-3817 (option 1 Ext. 570) or by email at op4info@mail.nysed.gov.

Infection Control Training Syllabus Updates

Recently passed public health law stipulates that on or before July 1, 2018, “ Every physician, physician assistant and specialist assistant practicing in the state shall, on or before July first, nineteen hundred ninety-four and every four years thereafter, complete course work or training, appropriate to the professional's practice, approved by the department regarding infection control, which shall include sepsis, and barrier precautions, including engineering and work practice controls, in accordance with regulatory standards promulgated by the department in consultation with the department of education, to prevent the transmission of HIV, HBV, HCV and sepsis in the course of professional practice. Such coursework or training must also be completed by every medical student, medical resident and physician assistant student in the state as part of the orientation programs conducted by medical schools, medical residency programs and physician assistant programs.”

2018 Infection Control Training Syllabus

Infection Control Training Core Elements (Updated 2018)