Are Your Training Records Compliant? What California’s New 2026 Law Means for Employers Everywhere

California’s SB 513, effective January 1, 2026, expands the definition of personnel records under Labor Code §1198.5 to explicitly include education and training records. This change significantly impacts how employers document, store, and provide access to training information for both current and former employees.

Training and development activities—whether conducted internally or by external vendors—are now subject to the same inspection, access, and retention rules as performance evaluations or disciplinary actions. Employers operating in California should prepare now to ensure full compliance. Employers outside of California are also encouraged to start documenting attendance (see later in this post).

While SB 513 applies specifically to California employers, the new law highlights the importance of performance documentation in employment decisions. Transparent training documentation and consistent employee recordkeeping should become a best practice—even outside California.