2026 California Employment Law Update: Preservation of Training Records

PDF

Commencing January 1, 2026, California Senate Bill 513 requires that personnel records relating to the employee’s performance include “education and training records” and require employers to ensure those records include: (1) the name of the employee, (2) the name of the training provider, (3) duration and date of training, (4) core competencies of training, and (5) the resulting certification or qualifications. Employers are required to maintain a copy of each employee’s personnel records for at least three years after the termination of their employment.

In sum, what an employer is required to produce and maintain as part of the employee’s personnel record is now expanded to include education and training records for their employees. When responding to personnel records requests, employers will also need to include these records.

Recommendations for employers

In addition to maintaining other employee records, employers should begin maintaining education and training records and consider including them when responding to employee requests for personnel records.