Every year, more than 356,000 people in the United States experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital. When an automated external defibrillator (AED) is used within the first few minutes, survival rates can soar to 90%. Yet a startling statistic remains: one in five AEDs is out of service, out of compliance, or simply not ready to rescue when needed.
If you're a business owner or facility manager in California, understanding AED requirements isn't just about checking a compliance box—it's about being prepared to save a life. California has enacted some of the nation's strictest workplace health and safety laws. Whether your organization is legally required to have an AED or you're choosing to add one voluntarily, knowing the rules protects both your personnel and your organization.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about California AED laws, who must comply, and how to maintain a compliant AED program that's genuinely ready to rescue.
California's AED requirements are governed by several sections of the Health and Safety Code, Education Code, and Civil Code. Here are the primary laws that may affect your organization:
This is California's core AED law. It applies to any person or entity that acquires an AED—whether required by law or voluntarily. If you have an AED on your premises, this law governs how you must maintain it.
This law mandates AEDs in certain high-occupancy buildings constructed on or after January 1, 2017, or buildings that underwent significant renovations after January 1, 2020.
Since July 1, 2007, all health studios and fitness centers (excluding hotel fitness centers) must have an AED and trained personnel on-site.
Since July 1, 2019, every California school district and charter school offering interscholastic athletics must have at least one AED per participating school.
This law provides liability protection for anyone who uses an AED in good faith during an emergency—but only if the AED's placement and maintenance comply with H&S Code §1797.196.
California law specifically mandates AEDs in the following facilities:
Under Education Code §35179.6, if your school district or charter school offers any interscholastic athletic program (including sports, cheerleading, and drill team), you must have at least one AED per school. The law specifies that AEDs must be available to athletic trainers and coaches during practices and competitions, and schools are encouraged to ensure the AED can reach any on-campus emergency within 3-5 minutes of sudden cardiac arrest.
Additionally, principals must ensure that school administrators and staff annually receive information about sudden cardiac arrest, the school's emergency response plan, and proper AED use. Instructions must be posted next to every AED in at least 14-point type.
Under H&S Code §104113, every gym, fitness center, or health studio operating on a membership basis must have an AED and personnel trained in its use. This includes facilities for physical exercise, bodybuilding, figure development, and fitness training. Hotels with fitness centers for registered guests are exempt.
Key requirements for health studios include:
H&S Code §19300 requires AEDs in buildings constructed on or after January 1, 2017, or older buildings that underwent $100,000 or more in renovations or tenant improvements after January 1, 2020. This applies to:
Note: Local government-owned buildings and licensed health facilities are exempt from §19300, though they may be subject to other requirements.
Public swimming pools that charge a direct fee and provide lifeguard services must have an AED on the premises.
Each train in a public commuter rail system must have an AED as part of its safety equipment.
Under the Nevaeh Youth Sports Safety Act (AB 1467), beginning January 1, 2027, all youth sports organizations must ensure athletes have access to an AED during any official practice or match. This includes any organization, business, nonprofit, or local government agency that sponsors amateur sports for athletes 17 years of age or younger. The AED must be administered by a certified medical professional, coach, or designated person.
Regardless of whether your organization is legally required to have an AED or has chosen to install one voluntarily, California Health and Safety Code §1797.196 establishes mandatory compliance requirements. Meeting these requirements is essential for maintaining Good Samaritan liability protection.
When an AED is placed in a K-12 school, the principal must also:
California's Good Samaritan law (Civil Code §1714.21) provides significant liability protection for AED users and the organizations that maintain them—but this protection is contingent on compliance with H&S Code §1797.196.
Who is protected:
Important exception: Good Samaritan protection does not apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Maintaining a compliant AED program demonstrates your commitment to proper care and helps protect your organization.
Failing to comply with California's AED laws exposes your organization to significant risks:
Managing AED compliance manually can be overwhelming. Between tracking inspection schedules, monitoring expiration dates for pads and batteries, maintaining documentation, and training staff, it's easy for critical tasks to slip through the cracks.
That's why Golden State Health and Safety Solutions partners with AED365 to offer a comprehensive AED program management solution. Whether you have one AED or manage a fleet across multiple locations, AED365 keeps your program compliant and rescue-ready.
With simple per-AED pricing, unlimited users and locations, and 99.99% uptime, AED365 makes compliance straightforward and affordable—for less than 25 cents per day on the Pro plan.
Whether you're just beginning to explore AED options or need to ensure your existing program meets California compliance standards, Golden State Health and Safety Solutions is here to help. Our team includes emergency response professionals with decades of real-world experience—we understand what it takes to be truly ready when seconds count.
Don't wait until an emergency to discover your AED isn't ready. Let Golden State Health and Safety Solutions help you build an AED program that's compliant, maintained, and genuinely prepared to save a life.
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Golden State Health and Safety Solutions
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About the Author: Tiffani Hill is the Contract Specialist at Golden State Health and Safety Solutions, bringing real-world experience in health and safety training and compliance for medical professionals and First Responders. Her extensive background provides valuable insights to help California businesses navigate OSHA requirements and maintain safe, compliant workplaces.
AI Assistance Disclosure: This blog post was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to research current Cal/OSHA regulations and structure the content. While AI tools were used to draft and organize this information, all content has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance with current California workplace safety requirements. The regulatory information, penalty amounts, and training requirements referenced in this post are based on official Cal/OSHA sources and current state regulations as of 2026. However, workplace safety regulations can change frequently, and this post should not be considered legal advice. For the most current requirements and personalized guidance specific to your business, we recommend consulting with qualified safety professionals or contacting Cal/OSHA directly. Golden State Health and Safety Solutions remains committed to providing accurate, up-to-date safety training and consultation services to California employers.