How long must we keep employment applications if we did not hire the applicant?

In a previous life, I used a 13 month cycle system. Kept them for one year, but you may need to check for your state's requirements.

Thanks, I looked up the retention schedule for my state and if I read it correctly (Application of those not employed), it says 6 years. That seems like a mighty long time to me!!
Anyway, thanks for the guidance.

If you interview the applicant for a position, keep it for a minimum of 301 days from the date a decision was made to employ someone for the position other than the applicant. This clears the stature of limitations on the most severe discrimination allegations which the EEOC could file.

If the applicant was not interviewed I would not keep it not more than 90 days. If the applicant wants to apply for another position after 90 days, they need to complete a new application, since there may have been changes in their background since the last time.