Overview
Ethics Training is for Everyone...
Ethics Officers provide a critical function in assisting the thousands of State officers and employees in navigating the State's ethics laws. The Public Officers Law and the Commission's ethics regulations create legal obligations for both agencies and their officers and employees. For this reason, each agency should designate an Ethics Officer to provide guidance to these individuals on compliance with the ethics laws.
In addition, the Ethics Officer is responsible for ensuring that both the agency and its personnel comply with the legal obligations related to the following subjects:
• Requirements for Financial Disclosure Statement Filers (“FDS Filers”)
• Mandatory Ethics Training
• Approvals for Outside Activities
• Approvals for Honoraria
• Approvals for Official Activity Expense Payments
• Acceptance of Gifts (including Widely Attended Event)
The Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government is available as a resource to assist you in providing guidance to your agency on the ethics laws and regulations. We encourage you to contact us with questions or for confidential guidance on a specific matter.
Statewide Ethics Training Application | Phase 1 Information
Phase 1 of the Statewide Ethics Training Application is available
- Phase 1 of the Statewide Ethics Training Application (‘SETA’) launched on February 6, 2024.
- Agencies must report their January 2024 monthly aggregate training statistics in the Statewide Ethics Training Application.
- All Agency Users (Ethics Officers, Training Compliance Officers and Agency Contacts) must have a NY.gov ID to access the online Statewide Ethics Training Application.
- COELIG, in partnership with our ITS development team, has already provided access to the Training Application to hundreds of Agency Users.
- Agency Users will begin receiving system-generated email notifications, including reminders and overdue notices to submit monthly training statistics.
Agency Specific Trainings
We provide the trainers – you provide the administrative support!
Agency Ethics Officers and agency Trainers can reserve an agency-specific training session with the COELIG Training Team. Reserve a data and time using our Google booking platform.
- Agencies with SLMS – will utilize SLMS to enroll their own employees
- Agencies without SLMS – will utilize their existing system to facilitate scheduling and enrollment.
Train-the-Trainer Resources
Statewide Ethics Training Schedule
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On Demand CETC |
Live CETC |
Ethics Refresher |
Complete the on-demand CETC or live CETC within 90 days* |
Attend a live CETC on or before December 31, 2024 |
Complete Refresher Training on or before December 31, 2025** |
|
Existing FDS Filers who have completed a live CETC or live Ethics Seminar in 2022 or 2023 |
The on-demand CETC satisfies the Ethics Refresher Requirement for FDS Filers and non-FDS state employees that have already attended a LIVE CETC course. |
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If live CETC taken in 2022 – Ethics Refresher required on or before December 31, 2023** If live CETC taken in 2023 – Ethics Refresher required on or before December 31, 2024** |
Existing FDS and Non-FDS Employees who have not received any ethics training |
Complete the on-demand CETC or live CETC within 90 days or before December 31, 2023 |
Attend a live CETC on or before December 31, 2024 |
Complete Refresher Training on or before December 31, 2025** |
Ethics Forum | Statewide Training Initiative
Forum topics:
Statutory changes regarding annual ethics training
COELIG Agency-specific training sessions
Redesigned CETC and updated training materials
Updates on the monthly training reporting application
Ethics Forum FAQs
Ethics Officer Reference Materials
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Responsibilities of the Agency Ethics Officer
The Public Officers Law and Commission's ethics regulations create legal obligations for both agencies and their officers and employees. For this reason, each agency should designate an Ethics Officer to provide guidance to these individuals on compliance with the ethics laws. This publication provides an overview of the role that Ethics Officers serve in that capacity.
Revised August 2022
Download
Publications for Employees
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Ethics Handbook: Plain Language Guide to the State's Ethics Laws
A comprehensive overview of the Public Officers Law and other related ethics laws, presented in a plain language format. An excellent resource for seasoned state employees and new hires entering State service for the first time.
Revised 11/10/2023
Download
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Guide to Leaving State Service
Quick reference guide to the restrictions and prohibitions that apply to State Officers and Employees that leave State service. General information on the 'Two Year Bar' and 'Lifetime Bar' are provided. For more detailed information, refer to the comprehensive 'Post-Employment Restrictions' plain language guide.
Revised 8/15/2022
Download
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Public Officers Law handbook for State Employees and Officials
This handbook contains in its entirety a comprehensive list of the State's ethics laws that apply to State officers and employees. Includes sections 73, 73-a, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Public Officers Law which are required to those employees who must complete the Public Officers Law Section 78 Public Officer Oath/Affirmation provided by the New York Department of State.
For best results when printing, select double-sided and 'Fit' in the 'Page Sizing & Handling' menu item.
Revised 8/31/2022
Download
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The Post-Employment Restrictions
Plain language guide to the restrictions that State officers and employees face once they leave State service including the two-year bar, and lifetime bars.
Revised 8/16/2022
Download
FDS System Instructions and FAQs
Video from Ethics Forum on January 13, 2022
FDS Instructional Material
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Financial Disclosure - An Overview on the Role of the Ethics Officer
Quick reference guide to the role of the Ethics Officer with respect to reporting and maintaining records for their respective agency with regards to the Financial Disclosure requirement as provided in Public Officers Law § 73-a.
Revised 1/16/2020
Download
Contact The Education Team
Contact the COELIG Education Team for information regarding the mandatory ethics training requirements for State employees, and Lobbyists and Clients.
Contact us by phone:
Contact us by email:
Mailing Address:
New York State
Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government
540 Broadway
Albany, New York 12207