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Involuntary Hold/5150 Training and Certification: The Details
Get the details you need to successfully engage in this process, including eligibility criteria, training details, and how to register.
5150 Training Process
The two-part process consists of:
Part 1: Completing a recorded training and post-test. The participants MUST complete this training within 30 days immediately preceding the live training, and it must be completed at least two business days prior to the live training.
Part 2: Participating in a live webinar or in-person training, followed by a post-test. Participants should set aside 3 hours to complete these activities.
Participants must not arrive more than 10 minutes late or leave more than 10 minutes early from the training in order to be certified.
For more details on this process, visit our step-by-step overview here.
An updated 5150 form is now available. You can access the link to the form in the attached resource section.
You are invited to join our new 5150 Debrief Support Group!
You are invited to join our 5150 Debrief Support Group!
We are pleased to announce the virtual 5150 Debrief Support Group occurring the last Thursday of each month from 3 - 4PM
Initiating a 5150 hold can be a challenging and emotionally complex experience. The 5150 Debrief Support Group offers a dedicated space for clinicians to process, share, and reflect on these experiences in a supportive environment.
The virtual group will be facilitated by Charlie Berman, LCSW, Director of Citywide Stabilization Program, and Leslie Kupper, LMFT, CRC, Assistant Program Coordinator with AOA System of Care. Both facilitators bring extensive experience working with individuals experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, as well as supervising clinicians in the field.
Join us virtually on the last Thursday of each month from 3 – 4 PM as we navigate these challenges together!
Attendance for the support group is limited to 18 individuals to foster a more connected atmosphere.
Please register through Teams for our June 5150 Debrief Support Group here:
Eligibility
PLEASE NOTE: only individuals with certain licensure/registrations are eligible to receive 5150 certification. This may mean that certain individuals who have received certification in the past may not be eligible for recertification. Only individuals in the following categories are eligible:
- Licensed mental health professionals and related licensed professionals in designated facilities.
- Licensed physicians in hospital emergency departments or approved settings.
- Licensed mental health professionals in authorized facilitates or community health settings.
- Board registered mental health professionals working under supervision.
- Specially trained paramedics in specific programs.
- Mental health professionals approved by the Director of Behavioral Health. This must be arranged by your program director in advance.
*Student interns, non-clinical staff, peer support staff, and private practitioners are not eligible to become certified.
**If you are not eligible to receive 5150 certification but want to participate in the training series for educational purposes, you are welcome to do so.
Upcoming Training Dates & How to Register
July Training: IN-PERSON
Date: Friday, July 11th, 1PM - 3PM
Location: San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino Conference Room
Trainer: Joan Cairns, LMFT, Program Manager, Comprehensive Crisis Services Crisis Intervention Team at San Francisco Department of Public Health
Part 1 Training link:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8339925/5150-Training-F-July-11-2025-Part-1
The recorded training link will be posted 30 days in advance and must be completed by 1 pm on Wednesday, July 9th, in order for you to be eligible to attend the live in-person training on Friday, July 11th, from 1 pm to 3 pm.
August Training:
Date: Friday, August 22nd, 1 PM - 3PM
Location: San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino Conference Room
Trainer: Claudia Mendez, LCSW, Drug Court and Community Justice Center at San Francisco Department of Public Health
Part 1 Training link: The link will open on July 21 at 1 PM.
September Training: VIRTUAL
Date: Monday, September 8th, 1PM - 3PM
Location: Virtual
Trainer: Angelica Almeida, Ph.D. Chief Integrative Officer, Hospital Administration with Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center
October Training: VIRTUAL
Date: TBD
Location: VIRTUAL
Trainer: Erick Reijerse, LCSW, Community Justice Center (CJC) Program Manager
November Training: In-PERSON
Date: TBD
Location: San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino Conference Room
Trainer: Alison Murphy, LCSW, Director, Supportive Housing Programs Citywide Case Management
December Training: IN-PERSON
Date: TBD
Location: San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, Latino Conference Room
Trainer: Jennifer Divers, LMFT, Conservertorship Coordination Program Manager
Continuing Medical Education Credit Available for the Part 2 Live Training
The San Francisco Department of Public Health, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is accredited by the California Medical Association (CMA) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
BHS designates this live in-person or virtual activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
In addition to physicians, credit is also available for pharmacists, psychologists, nurses, physician assistants, and licensed behavioral health clinicians.
Neither the presenters or the planners of this training have any relevant financial relationships with companies producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Tips for Taking the Recorded Training (Part 1)
- You must view the entire training video (54 minutes): you cannot “fast forward” through the video.
- After you’ve viewed the entire video, you will need to click “next” at the bottom of the screen and progress to the post-test. If you do not complete entirely, the system will make you start over.
- You must complete, submit, and pass the post-test in order to be registered for the month's live training.
- The test site will immediately notify you on the screen if you have passed or not, and also automatically notifies DPH’s 5150 team. Once you have completed the testing process and see “100%” at the bottom of the screen, the test will send an auto-email with next steps. If you don’t receive this, please check your spam folder for an email from noreply@alchemer.com.
Please see the "Resources" section below for the link to a Technology Guide that walks through how to view and complete the recorded training.
Resource Documents:
5150 Form(Updated for Senate Bill 43)
5150 BHS Policies and Procedures
BHS 5150 Involuntary Detention Training_Full Deck_March 2025.pdf