Can I export and own my data if I leave?

You should always be able to take your data with you — and confirming this before you sign protects you from lock-in.

What you should be able to export:

• Courses — ideally as SCORM/xAPI packages that work in another system
• Users — your learner list and profiles, as CSV
• Records — completion history, scores, and certificates (your compliance evidence)
• Content files — the documents and videos you uploaded

A trustworthy vendor makes export straightforward and treats your data as yours. Be cautious of any platform that makes leaving difficult or charges to release your own records — that's a lock-in tactic.

This matters most for compliance history: even if you switch platforms, you must keep dated proof of past training for audits. Before committing to any LMS, ask exactly how you'd get your data out if you left. A clear, simple answer is a good sign.