How to Meet Mandatory Compliance Training Requirements in 2026

By Amanda Sessions

As we approach 2026, organizations worldwide are revisiting their mandatory compliance training programs to meet evolving federal, state, and industry regulations. From anti-harassment and data privacy to cybersecurity and workplace safety, requirements continue to grow more complex.

For global organizations and those operating across multiple U.S. states, meeting every specific requirement can feel nearly impossible. That’s why we’re breaking down:

• What mandatory compliance training typically includes in 2026
  
• How global organizations can stay aligned with regional laws and standards
  
• How OpenSesame helps simplify compliance with curated course lists and regional training guidance

What is mandatory compliance training in 2026?

Mandatory compliance training refers to legally required courses employees must complete to help organizations comply with applicable laws and regulations. In 2026, these commonly include:

• Anti-harassment and discrimination prevention (see our state-specific requirements guide) 
• Bystander intervention (required in cities like Chicago and New York City)
• Violence prevention (with state-specific mandates in places such as California and New York)

While these requirements vary by jurisdiction and industry, their impact is universal. Proactive compliance training helps organizations reduce legal and financial risk, boost reputation through ethical practices, improve employee engagement, and streamline compliance management across regions.

How do U.S. federal and state compliance training laws differ?

At the federal level, agencies like the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set baseline compliance standards. However, individual states often go further with their own mandates.

U.S. State and Federal Compliance Training Requirements (2026)

Category	Federal Requirement	State Example (2026)
Harassment prevention	Encouraged by EEOC	The “3 C’s”: California, Chicago, and Connecticut all have strict content and timing requirements
Workplace safety	OSHA required for certain roles	California OSHA’s (CAL/OSHA) mandates violence prevention plans for most employers
Data privacy	No single federal law	California (CCPA/CPRA), Virginia, and Colorado have unique data privacy regulations

What are the emerging global compliance training trends for 2026?

Organizations operating internationally must navigate different frameworks and cultural contexts. In 2026, keep an eye on:

• Expanded privacy regulations modeled after the GDPR in the European Union (EU), Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa (e.g. the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act)
  
• AI governance laws like the EU AI Act, which introduces new obligations for high-risk AI systems and prompts organizations to train teams on responsible AI use
  
• Supply chain transparency and anti-modern slavery mandates, such as Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act

How can organizations meet 2026 compliance training requirements efficiently?

Here’s a scalable framework to help your team stay aligned with all levels of compliance:

1. Audit your current compliance coverage

Identify which training areas are legally required and which are internal best practices. Review by location, job role, and risk exposure.

2. Map requirements to reliable training content

Use a trusted provider that validates content against legal standards.

Tip: OpenSesame publishers provide Compliance Statements detailing how each publisher addresses compliance per current and evolving laws and regulations.

3. Localize and refresh training regularly

Update translations, cultural context, and legal references annually or whenever regulations change.

4. Track completion and maintain records

Document completion for audits, certifications, and regulatory inquiries. Some laws require maintaining training records for a specific period of time (e.g. California’s mandates creating and maintaining training records for at least one year).

Why invest in non-mandatory compliance training?

To strengthen their overall compliance culture, many organizations include non-mandatory or “best practices” training to include key areas such as ethics and code of conduct, anti-corruption and bribery, and workplace respect.

While not always legally required, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations (FSGO) emphasize that effective compliance programs include regular communication and ethics training. And the benefits are clear:

• Build a culture of ethics and accountability: Reinforces that compliance isn’t just about checking boxes but about doing the right thing.
  
• Reduce regulatory and legal risk: The DOJ explicitly considers the quality and reach of training when evaluating the effectiveness of a compliance program during investigations.
  
• Ensure global consistency: Ethics expectations can vary by region; consistent training helps unify behavior across your workforce.
  
• Showcase proactive compliance: Strong training programs signal a mature, trustworthy organization to regulators, partners, and investors.
  

Best-practices training turns compliance into a strategic advantage, helping organizations prevent issues before they arise and build lasting trust with employees, customers, and stakeholders alike.

How does OpenSesame help organizations stay compliant?

OpenSesame simplifies compliance by connecting organizations with expert-curated training from credible publishers. Here’s how:

Curated compliance course lists

OpenSesame’s Global Compliance Guide includes curated lists of regionally-specific compliance courses that help organizations meet common federal, state, and international requirements — including anti-harassment, cybersecurity, ethics, and data privacy.

Publisher compliance statements

Publisher Compliance Statements outline their approach to maintaining compliant content with regulations, giving HR and compliance teams confidence in their selections.

State-specific harassment training guidance

Our U.S. state-specific sexual harassment training requirements guide breaks down harassment training mandates by U.S. states and municipalities to support organizations in knowing when and how often employees must complete training.

Global language and localization support

With multilingual content and cultural adaptations, your workforce gets relevant training no matter where they are.

How can organizations prepare now for the 2026 requirements?

Start early. Regulatory shifts, especially in privacy, AI governance, and supply chain transparency, require updated training content and documentation.

Here’s how to get ahead

1. Review your current compliance program. What went well? What needs improvement? What are learners saying?
   
2. Identify gaps by region, job role, or risk level
   
3. Curate fresh content for 2026 to maximize learner engagement. Reach out to OpenSesame for help curating a training plan tailored to your workforce.

Compliance training in 2026 won’t be one-size-fits-all. A proactive, flexible strategy is key to keeping pace with evolving laws and building a culture of accountability, and OpenSesame is here to help every step of the way.

FAQs

1. What are the most common mandatory trainings in 2026?

Anti-harassment and discrimination, violence prevention, and bystander intervention. 

2. Does every U.S. state require harassment training?

No, but multiple states and cities like California, Chicago, and Connecticut do have specific laws with renewal cycles and time requirements. 

3. What’s the best way to train employees in multiple states?

Using multistate courses like those on this list will save you time and support compliance of a dispersed workforce. 

4. How often should compliance training be refreshed?

The best practice is to retrain employees annually, and for maximum engagement, ensure fresh content is being provided. OpenSesame courses automatically update, so you’ll get fresh courses without doing extra work.

5. What if my organization operates globally?

Use localized content aligned with regional laws. Consistent training supports inclusivity and clarity across your workforce. OpenSesame offers multilingual and region-specific compliance courses.