Ethics & Conflict of Interest Training

Mandatory training for all designated CSU employees

If you are a CSU employee who is required to file a Form 700 or Form 700U each April, then you've been identified by your campus as a "designated employee." Not only are you required to complete the annual filing every April, but you're also required to complete an online training course every 2 years. This course is specifically designed for CSU employees and is required by state law.

If you are a continuing employee, then you'll fall into a two-year cycle to complete this 50 minute training course.

If you are a new employee in a designated position, then you'll be required to complete the training within 6 months of assuming your position.

How to take the online training
Each campus has a person designated as the "filing officer." The filing officer on your campus submits your name and email address directly to the online training provider--Workplace Answers--so that your name is included in the Learning Management System (LMS) and so that you will be included in automated training reminders until your training is complete.

In order for you to log on to the training, the LMS must recognize your email address and name. So if you try to take the training and you haven't been registered for it, you won't be able to take it. In fact, you won't be able to find it at all. Each person has a unique link so it's important that you not "borrow" anyone else's link.

If you are required to take the training, you may take it any time you'd like as long as you complete it by the date prescribed by your campus.

How to find and print your completion certificate
Once you have completed the entire training course, the last screen will prompt you to print your certificate. Unless your campus requires that you sign and submit it, the certificate is for your personal use only. The Learning Management System records your successful completion and the record is available to your campus filing officer.

What are the technical requirements to take the online training?
This training has been designed for a Windows platform, though it should also play on a Macintosh computer. No audio is required.

Your Content Questions Answered Here
As we receive questions regarding the content of this training or for further explanation of quiz answers, we will respond directly to the person asking the question. If we feel that others could also benefit from the question and answer, you'll find them posted here.

Have a question about anything related to the Conflict of Interest training requirement or content interpretation? Just submit it to us at AskAboutEthics@calstate.edu and we'll make sure it is directed to the appropriate expert.

Special Notices
You can access your course for 12 months from your initial log-in date.

Have you ever wondered who is keeping track of Conflict of Interest training on your campus? Here's a list of the people with whom we're working. Feel free to contact them if you have questions about why you must complete the training.

Resource Links for Conflict of Interest Regulations
Resource links shown in the course are posted below.

• CSU Office of General Counsel - Conflict of Interest Handbook (.doc)
• Ethics Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code Training (.pdf)
  - Supplement #1 (.pdf)
• Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interests (.pdf)
• Form 700-U - Statement of Economic Interests for Principal Investigators (.pdf)
• CSU Disclosure Category Listing (.pdf)
• Campus Designated Position Listing (.pdf)
• Criteria for Defining Designated Position (.pdf)
• Conflict of Interest Policies and Programs
• Limitations and Restrictions on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Loans (Fact Sheet) (.pdf)
• Office of the Attorney General
• Ethics Training for State Officials
• Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
• The Political Reform Act of 1974 (2008 Version)
• FPPC Library and Publications