Meeting Home Page

Public Records | On-Demand Course - 2026

Note: The dates above represent the time available to complete this course. There is no set date for this training. It is on-demand, will be delivered to your NCLM account upon registration, and can be completed at your convenience. 

Municipal officials routinely create, receive, and maintain records in the course of public business. North Carolina’s Public Records Law governs what records must be retained, how they are safeguarded, and how officials must respond to public records requests. A clear understanding of these obligations is essential to maintaining transparency while protecting confidential information.

This course will help municipal officials identify public records, manage and retain records in accordance with state requirements, and respond appropriately to public records requests.

Course Objectives

• Define what constitutes a public record under North Carolina law, including the four essential elements, and distinguish between public records, non-public records, and confidential records.
• Identify the requirements for safekeeping and retaining public records, including how to use the State Archives Record Retention Schedule and the proper procedures for destroying records.
• Explain the statutory requirements for responding to public records requests, including permissible fees, response formats, and when to consult legal counsel for sensitive or confidential information.