What is the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit to collect overtime wages not paid by an empoyer in CA?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) contains a 2-year statute of limitations for filing a claim for back overtime wages (this is extended to 3 years for "willful violations"). This means that any part of a back wage claim which was earned more than 2 years before a federal court lawsuit is filed may not be collectible.

To ensure that the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) can complete its investigation before the statute of limitations expires, employees should file complaints with WHD as soon as the violation occurs but no later than 18 months after the violation has occurred.