Title 50, War and National DefenseRelease 119-110

§3344 Classification Training Program

Title 50 › CHAPTER 45 — MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY AUTHORITIES › SUBCHAPTER III — SECURITY CLEARANCES AND CLASSIFIED INFORMATION › § 3344

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Heads of each Executive agency must, under Executive Order 13526, require yearly training for any employee who can originally classify information. Employees who do derivative classification or who analyze, prepare, distribute, receive, publish, or otherwise handle classified information must be trained at least every two years. The training must cover the formatting guidance for finished intelligence in section 3024(f)(1)(G), the correct use of classification and portion markings, and any incentives or penalties for proper classification. Employees must pass the training and receive a certificate or other record before getting or keeping authority to classify. Agencies must run the training efficiently and combine it with other security or intelligence training to reduce costs and paperwork.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §3344

War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
The head of each Executive agency, in accordance with Executive Order 13526, shall require annual training for each employee who has original classification authority. For employees who perform derivative classification, or are responsible for analysis, dissemination, preparation, production, receipt, publication, or otherwise communication of classified information, training shall be provided at least every two years. Such training shall—
(1)educate the employee, as appropriate, regarding—
(A)the guidance established under subparagraph (G) of section 3024(f)(1) of this title, as added by section 5(a)(3), regarding the formatting of finished intelligence products;
(B)the proper use of classification markings, including portion markings that indicate the classification of portions of information; and
(C)any incentives and penalties related to the proper classification of intelligence information; and
(2)ensure such training is a prerequisite, once completed successfully, as evidenced by an appropriate certificate or other record, for—
(A)obtaining original classification authority or derivatively classifying information; and
(B)maintaining such authority.
(b)Relationship to other programs
The head of each Executive agency shall ensure that the training required by subsection (a) is conducted efficiently and in conjunction with any other required security, intelligence, or other training programs to reduce the costs and administrative burdens associated with carrying out the training required by subsection (a).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Executive Order 13526, referred to in subsec. (a), is set out as a note under section 3161 of this title. section 5(a)(3), referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), probably means section 5(a)(3) of Pub. L. 111–258. Codification Section was formerly classified to section 435d of this title prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 119–60 substituted “of section 3024(f)(1)” for “of section 3024(g)(1)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definitions Pub. L. 111–258, § 3, Oct. 7, 2010, 124 Stat. 2648, provided that: “In this Act [see

Short Title

of 2010 Amendment note set out under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security]: “(1) Derivative classification and original classification.—The terms ‘derivative classification’ and ‘original classification’ have the meanings given those terms in Executive Order No. 13526 [50 U.S.C. 3161 note]. “(2) Executive agency.—The term ‘Executive agency’ has the meaning given that term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code. “(3) Executive order no. 13526.—The term ‘Executive Order No. 13526’ means Executive Order No. 13526 (75 Fed. Reg. 707; relating to classified national security information) or any subsequent corresponding executive order.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 3344

Title 50, War and National Defense

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110