California law mandates Valley fever training
from the California Licensed Contractor Newsletter, summer 2025
People who work outdoors in California's Central Valley, Central Coast, and other locations—especially workers who dig or disturb soil—are at risk for Valley fever, an illness that can cause disability or even death.
California Labor Code, Section 6709 (2020) requires construction employers who work in counties with high rates of Valley fever to train their employees by May 1 of each year on lowering the risk of Valley fever. Employees need to be trained before they begin outdoor work where they may be exposed to airborne dust.
The California Department of Public Health, Occupational
Health Branch's recently updated resource, VALLEY FEVER: Tailgate Training Guide for California Construction Workers (also in Spanish), is an interactive, easy-to-use guide that supervisors, trainers, and health and safety staff can use to train employees. The guide covers eight training topics required by the 2020 law and provides updated rates of new cases of Valley fever by county.
For 2025, training is required for work in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Ventura counties. Other counties may be added in the future depending on their rates of Valley fever illness as determined by the CDPH Infectious Diseases Branch.
Visit the Occupational Health Branch work-related Valley fever webpage for updates on required training and other Valley fever resources.