Information about City ethics training.
Our training program focuses on increasing honesty and integrity in City government. Sign up for an ethics training session to learn more about Philadelphia’s ethics and public integrity laws.
Board staff offers mandatory general ethics training for all City officers and employees, as well as optional information sessions on topics such as financial disclosure, campaign finance, and political activity.
For more information, jump to:
- Upcoming training sessions
- General ethics training
- Board and commission ethics training
- Political activity information sessions
- Financial disclosure information sessions
- Campaign finance training
- Lobbying training
Questions? Email BOE.training@phila.gov.
Upcoming training sessions
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Sep21EventCity Council Member ethics refresher11:00 am to 12:00 pmCity HallEvent
City Council Member ethics refresher
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Sep22EventGeneral Ethics Training11:00 am to 12:00 pmEvent
General Ethics Training
September 22, 202611:00 am to 12:00 pm, 1 hour
This course is mandatory for new City employees/officers and those who have not yet attended ethics training. The Philadelphia Code requires all City employees and officers to receive ethics training, which is provided by the Philadelphia Board of Ethics.
This course also fulfils the new mandatory routine ethics training requirement for existing City employees and officers per
Board of Ethics Regulation No. 7. The rollout of this new training mandate is based on start year with the City, as follows:- Group A: start years ending in 0 and 5 must get training in 2025 and every year thereafter ending in 0 and 5
- Group B: start years ending in 1 and 6 must get training in 2026 and every year thereafter ending in 1 and 6
- Group C: start years ending in 2 and 7 must get training in 2027 and every year thereafter ending in 2 and 7
- Group D: start years ending in 3 and 8 must get training in 2028 and every year thereafter ending in 3 and 8
- Group E: start years ending in 4 and 9 must get training in 2029 and every year thereafter ending in 4 and 9
Register at ethics.pub/GETraining
For questions about the new routine ethics training requirement and rollout, contact BOE.training@phila.gov
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Sep22EventCity Council Members ethics refresher2:00 pm to 3:00 pmCity HallEvent
City Council Members ethics refresher
General ethics training
Who is it for?
This training is required for all City officers and employees.
New City officers and employees must attend within their first 90 days.
After attending an initial general ethics training, all City employees must also attend ethics refresher training every one or five years, in accordance with Board of Ethics Regulation No. 7. The refresher training compliance is based upon role and last start date with the City:
- Every year: Elected officials, members of City boards & commissions, heads of City agencies, and members of the Mayor’s cabinet must attend ethics training annually. These parties may attend refresher or general ethics training sessions.
- Every five years: All employees not subject to the annual training requirement must attend training every five years. Deadlines for attending a five-year ethics training are based upon an employee’s last start year with the City:
- start years ending in 0 or 5 must attend training in calendar year 2025
- start years ending in 1 or 6 must attend training in calendar year 2026
- start years ending in 2 or 7 must attend training in calendar year 2027
- start years ending in 3 or 8 must attend training in calendar year 2028
- start years ending in 4 or 9 must attend training in calendar year 2029
Questions about when you are due? Visit the “Am I Due” tool to find out more.
What does it cover?
This training covers:
- Ethics rules for City officers and employees, including:
- Conflicts of interest.
- Gifts.
- Political activity.
- Basic information about the State Ethics Act, which applies to some City workers.
When is it?
This training is offered:
- Two to three times a month via Zoom and open to all City officers and employees. Register directly at the Training Registration website, or view the calendar for upcoming general ethics training session dates.
Visit our Training Bookings form to request a private training. Private ethics trainings can be either virtual or in-person, and are ideal for:
- Elected officials.
- Supervisor groups.
- Groups of 20 or more.
- Other specialized training needs.
How long is it?
This session is 60 minutes long.
Board and commission ethics training
Who is it for?
This training is required for new board and commission members.
It’s also open to:
- Current board and commission members. (This training fulfills the annual refresher requirement for this group.)
- Anyone who advises a board or commission.
What does it cover?
This training covers:
- Ethics rules for members of City boards and commissions.
- Basic information about the State Ethics Act.
When is it?
This training is offered:
- Periodically throughout the year. View the calendar for upcoming board and commission ethics training sessions.
- By request, visit our Trainings Bookings form to schedule.
How long is it?
This session is 45–60 minutes long.
Political activity information sessions
Who is it for?
This training is for anyone considering involvement in a political campaign or partisan political group.
What does it cover?
This training covers political activity restrictions for City-appointed officers and employees, including:
- Which rules apply to your City position.
- Which campaigns are off-limits.
- What types of activity are permitted.
- How the rules apply on social media.
When is it?
This training is offered before primary and general elections. View the calendar for upcoming political activity information sessions.
How long is it?
This session is 30–45 minutes long.
Financial disclosure information sessions
Who is it for?
This training is for anyone who files the City or State financial disclosure forms.
What does it cover?
This training covers:
- The basics of what gets disclosed.
- How to use the electronic filing system.
When is it?
This training is offered in the spring, before the May 1 filing deadline. View the calendar for upcoming financial disclosure information sessions.
How long is it?
This session is 30–45 minutes long.
Campaign finance training
Who is it for?
This training is for:
- Candidates for City elective office.
- People who make expenditures to influence elections.
- Concerned citizens.
What does it cover?
This training may cover a general overview of campaign finance or address specific topics. Those topics may include:
- Contributions.
- Best practices.
- Campaign finance for ward committees.
When is it?
This training is offered throughout the year, often before elections and filing deadlines. View the calendar for upcoming campaign finance training sessions.
How long is it?
These sessions are 60–90 minutes long.
Lobbying training
Who is it for?
This training is for:
- Principals.
- Lobbyists.
- Lobbying firms.
What does it cover?
This training covers:
- An overview of the City’s lobbying laws.
- Disclosure requirements.
- The lobbying system.
When is it?
This training is held periodically throughout the year. View the calendar for upcoming lobbying training sessions.
How long is it?
This session is 60–90 minutes long.