How to Register as a Medical Waste Generator in California

California Health & Safety Codes

Sections 117915 through 117945 of the California Health and Safety Code (HSC), establish acupuncturists as medical waste generators, specifying the requirements, including an annual registration fee of $25, payable to the Medical Waste Management Program. Medical waste includes, but is not limited to acupuncture needles. Please see below for a description of the medical waste laws as they apply to acupuncturists.

A Small Quantity Generator (SQG) is a medical waste generator that generates less than 200 pounds of medical waste per month. Acupuncture needles are considered medical waste, therefore acupuncturists and acupuncture clinics are subject to the requirements of the Medical Waste Management Act (MWMA), California Health and Safety Code (HSC) sections 117600 - 118360.

The California Department of Public Health, Medical Waste Management Program (Department) is the enforcement agency for medical waste generators in the following counties:

In addition, the Department is the enforcement agency for the City of Berkeley. HSC 117924(a) states: When the Department is the enforcement agency, the Department shall impose and cause the collection of an annual medical waste generator fee ($25) on small quantity generators of medical waste. The SQG registration form is available on the Department's website: cdph.ca.gov/MedicalWaste.

The following counties that are regulated by a Local Enforcement Agency (LEA), rather than by the Department:

The City of Long Beach and the City of Vernon are also regulated by a LEA. Acupuncturists in these cities and counties need to contact their LEA to register, rather than the Department and the fees vary depending on the city or county. A list of LEA contacts is available on the Department's website at: cdph.ca.gov/MedicalWaste.