Certified payroll records on a public works project must be retained by the contractor for at least how long?
Explanation
Labor Code §1771.4(a)(4) fixes the period at three years after completion of the work, and §1174(d) requires payroll records generally to be kept at least three years, so the two rules agree. The shorter periods would let records disappear while an assessment or a §1741 review is still live. Tying retention of the records to release of the retention money confuses two different things that share a word: retention proceeds are governed by Public Contract Code §7107 and are usually released within 60 days of completion, long before the record-keeping duty ends.
Law Reference: Labor Code §1771.4(a)(4); §1174(d)This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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