MIRS Training

MIRS training consists of MIRS Virtual Training, an instructor lead, hands-on experience via Microsoft Teams, and MIRS eLearning Modules, available to view at your convenience. Both options provide MIRS users with the knowledge and skills required to access the MIRS database, write procedures, and execute procedures. 

MIRS initial training content includes: 

• MIRS File Descriptions (FD) 
• Navigating the System 
• Displaying Records (Verb Phrases) 
• Field Formats 
• Sorting Records (By Phrases) 
• Selecting Records (Where Phrases) 
• Customizations 

MIRS advanced training content includes: 

• Defines 
• Prompts 
• Match Procedures 

To attend the MIRS Virtual Training or watch the MIRS eLearning Modules, please first complete the steps below in the following order to best prepare for a complete learning experience: 

• Complete six months of personnel experience to understand the terms and concepts associated with MIRS training. 
• Gain Access to MIRS 
  • Contact your department’s Security Monitor to submit your signed Statement of Understanding (PSD-108) and an updated Security Authorization form (PSD-125A) to the State Controller's Office Decentralized Security Administration (DSA).
• Receive and Complete the MIRS Checklist 
  • You will receive the MIRS Checklist via email once your access to MIRS has been granted. 

MIRS Virtual Training

The Management Information Retrieval System (MIRS) Training includes both initial and advanced MIRS training content in one course. The course is a total of 32 hours, spanning over four days of eight-hour sessions. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Participants must attend all four days of the class to receive full credit for the course.

Space for each class is limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. 

To register for MIRS Training, please review the available 2026 training dates below and sign-up through the Personnel and Payroll Training Registration webpage. For any questions, please contact the MIRS Helpdesk at ppsdMIRS@sco.ca.gov.

• Class #1: February 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
• Class #2: March 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th  
• Class #3: April 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th
• Class #4: June 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Class #5: July 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th 
• Class #6: September 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th 
• Class #7: October 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th  

MIRS eLearning Modules

The MIRS eLearning Modules include initial MIRS training content over the course of six modules. The modules are listed in the order best fit to watch from beginning to end however, you may choose to watch them in any order that best fits your training needs. Please click on the course link of your choice below to begin. 

Your feedback is valuable to us. Once you have completed a module, please take a few moments to complete the corresponding module evaluation and/or provide your comments or feedback to ppsdMIRS@sco.ca.gov. 

• Module 1: MIRS File Descriptions – FD (Run time: Approximately 52 minutes): Details the fieldnames and file information available in each MIRS file. (Provide feedback for module 1 here: Module 1 Evaluation.) 

• Module 2: Navigating the MIRS System (Run time: Approximately 34 minutes): Introduces MIRS screens, and copying reports; includes instructions on how to copy to and from the Common Library, as well as how to use and PF Keys and Commands. (Provide feedback for module 2 here: Module 2 Evaluation.) 

• Module 3: MIRS Procedure Overview (Run time: Approximately 1 hour 9 minutes): Presents Update Schedule details, how to write procedures to create a report, how to navigate within a procedure and a report, how and when to invoke the FOCUS Environment, and common error messages. (Provide feedback for module 3 here: Module 3 Evaluation.) 

• Module 4: MIRS Procedure Writing – Verbs, Formats, & By Phrases (Run time: Approximately 28 minutes): Guidance on basic procedure writing, including verbs (PRINT, SUM, and COUNT), field formats, and sorting data output with By Phrases. (Provide feedback for module 4 here: Module 4 Evaluation.) 

• Module 5: MIRS Procedure Writing – Selecting Records (Run time: Approximately 37 minutes): Explains Where Phrases, including single and multiple selection criteria, as well as when to use a Record Limit. (Provide feedback for module 5 here: Module 5 Evaluation.) 

• Module 6: MIRS Procedure Writing – Customizations (Run time: Approximately 38 minutes): Identifies the various options for customizing a MIRS procedure, such as using totals, headings, footings, changing titles, date and time variables, reformatting fieldnames, and skipping lines. (Provide feedback for module 6 here: Module 6 Evaluation.)