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 August 2008, legislation was passed requiring certain changes be made to the training curriculum, the training process, and those requiring training.

The Infection Control and Barrier Precaution law applies to the following professions: dental hygienists, dentists, licensed practical nurses, optometrists, physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, registered professional nurses and specialist assistants. As of November 3, 2008, the requirement for training will also include 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.state.ny.us. 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 programs are automatically credited with having completed the initial requirement as part of their coursework. Four years after graduating from a New York 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. Guidance pertaining to this provision will be made available to exempted providers by mail and on this website.

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

Dentists, dental hygienists, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, optometrists, and podiatrists should apply to the State Education Department (SED) for exemption.

Information for Providers of the Infection Control Training Course

Persons interested in seeking approval to serve as a provider of the infection control course, who primarily will be training physicians, physician assistants or specialist assistants should apply to the NYSDOH using the forms below.

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 should apply to the NYSDOH using the forms below.

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.

Guidance pertaining to the new requirement for medical students, medical residents, and physician assistant students to complete Infection Control training will be made available to Course Providers by mail and on this website.

NYSDOH Training Provider Application Forms

Infection Control Training Syllabus Updates

The recently passed Patient Safety Bill stipulates that on or before September 1, 2008, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) including the Patient Safety Center in consultation with the State Council on Graduate medical Education (COGME):

"...review and revise the content of the coursework or training in infection control practices as necessary to ensure that such content: (i) reflects the current infection control practices and standards accepted and promoted by the medical and scientific communities; (ii) focuses particular attention on instruction in standards of practice for which compliance is suboptimal based on the department's experience; and (iii) emphasizes the application of infection control standards and practices in outpatient and ambulatory settings."

Below is the 2010 Infection Control Training Syllabus which includes the updated 2008 versions of all six Elements that replace the versions published in 2001.

2010 Infection Control Training Syllabus

Infection Control Training Core Elements (Updated 2008)