Feb62023
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How to Earn a Cannabis Training Certification: Everything You Need to Know

 

There are over 420,000 jobs at cannabis businesses across the United States. As this growing industry rises in popularity and acceptance, competition increases to find a job and rise up the career ladder. To stand out, many aspiring and current cannabis professionals are opting to pursue cannabis training programs to earn cannabis certifications and enhance their marijuana expertise. There are thousands of courses out there with varying costs, time commitments, and potential career impacts – so the question is, how do you earn a cannabis training certification?

This post explains the process of earning a cannabis training certification along with recommendations and tips to help you pick the right course based on your requirements and budget.

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Researching cannabis training programs

The first, and most important, step in finding a certificate program is to do your research. These courses can vary dramatically and choosing the wrong one could cost you hours of time and thousands of dollars.

Follow these steps in your cannabis certification research process:

1. Identify your ideal type of cannabis training certification

There is a wide variety of cannabis course providers out there, each with a different type of course offering. Your research process should be tailored to your unique cannabis training needs. What role are you seeking? Which state are you planning to work in? What career path would you like to take in the industry?

2. Gather information about specific programs

Once you have a general understanding of the types of certifications available, you can begin researching specific medical marijuana or adult-use cannabis education programs. This may involve visiting the websites of different training organizations, reading reviews and testimonials from past students, and contacting the organizations directly to ask questions.

3. Compare programs

This step is especially important because it will dictate how much time and money you spend on the cannabis certification program. You’ll want to evaluate each of the following factors before choosing a cannabis certification course:

  • Cost – The prices of cannabis courses vary from less than $300 to thousands of dollars. Some provide payment plans or money back guarantees, while others are more affordable up front. How much money are you willing to spend on training?
  • Duration – The length of cannabis courses vary from days to weeks to months. The course type may allow you to work at your own pace online or function like a real university and require attendance to daily or weekly courses. Consider how much time you can sacrifice.
  • Curriculum – Does the course provide in-depth coverage of the material you want to learn? Are you hoping to learn about cannabis production, cannabis cultivation for growers, or cannabis dispensary training to become a budtender? Or do you want a program that offers you foundational knowledge in various topics before you decide to specialize in one area and invest more time & money?
  • Reputation – Check out what alumni of these courses are saying. Are there reviews available for this university? Have there been any press or news articles written about the classes? These factors can help assure you that the course will be worth your time and money.

4. Choose the right program that fits your needs and goals

Weigh the factors we laid out above before you make any decisions about cannabis courses. Oftentimes, a more affordable, flexible, and fundamental course is an excellent starting point if you’re new to cannabis and want to get your footing. This type of program allows you to get a broad knowledge so you feel more comfortable with industry terms. Students report this foundational program also allows them a taste of what they want to specialize in later. Going all-in on an expensive, time-consuming cannabis certification can turn out to be a poor use of your resources.

When all is said and done and you’ve earned your certificate of completion from the university you choose, you should feel more knowledgeable, experienced, and confident to find a cannabis job or advance your cannabis career.

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Meeting eligibility requirements

Some cannabis training programs have eligibility requirements. In fact, many of these requirements are in line with marijuana industry work requirements, meaning if you did not meet course requirements, you would not be able to work in cannabis anyway.

These requirements vary depending on the program, but often include:

  1. Age: Some cannabis training programs have a minimum age requirement, typically 18 or 21 years old.
  2. Background check: Some programs may require a background check to ensure that the student does not have a criminal record that would prevent them from working in the cannabis industry.
  3. Education and work experience: Some programs may require a certain level of education, such as a high school diploma or GED, or may prefer applicants with previous work experience in a related field.
  4. Compliance with local and state laws: Some programs may require students to comply with local and state laws related to cannabis, such as obtaining a medical cannabis card or passing a fingerprint background check.
  5. Residency: Some programs may have a residency requirement, meaning that students must live in a certain state or area in order to qualify for the program.

Note: At THC University, we believe cannabis education should be accessible to everyone who wants it. Since we’re a school sharing knowledge for information only, we are able to accommodate almost anyone. Our only requirements are that students can understand English and have a solid internet connection. 

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Completing cannabis coursework and training

Depending on the type of courses you enroll in, your curriculum and training may look very different.

There are three main types of cannabis certification courses:

  1. Online learning: Courses are entirely online and can be completed at the student’s own pace. These classes usually include videos, slideshows, readings, quizzes, and assignments that can be accessed via a web portal.
  2. Hybrid learning: A combination of online learning and in-person instruction. These classes often include online coursework and assignments as well as in-person sessions and instruction.
  3. In-person learning: This type of curriculum is delivered in a traditional classroom setting. It typically includes lectures, discussions, and hands-on training.

So which type of cannabis curriculum is best?

That depends on your needs…

Online courses offer the most flexibility for students with other commitments like a job, family, or other schoolwork. They are also usually a more affordable option.

On the other hand, in-person cannabis classes are far less flexible and often more expensive than online-only classes, but they can provide additional opportunities such as hands-on training and group lessons that online cannabis classes lack.

In today’s digital age, you have plenty of options to best suit your needs when it comes to cannabis certifications and training. We’ll leave it up to you to decide which to pick.

Tips for completing cannabis coursework

Here are a some tips to successfully complete your online or in-person cannabis certification:

  1. Stay organized: Keep track of important deadlines, assignments, and exams. Create a schedule and stick to it to ensure that you have enough time to complete the coursework.
  2. Stay engaged: Participate in class discussions, ask questions, and take notes. This will help you to better understand the material and retain the information.
  3. Get help when needed: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to your instructors or classmates for assistance.
  4. Take advantage of resources: Take advantage of any resources provided by the program, such as study guides, practice exams, and online tutorials.
  5. Stay up to date with the industry: The more informed you are about the cannabis industry, the better you’ll understand related coursework.
  6. Take your time: Don’t rush through your cannabis courses! The more you take time to understand each lesson, the more prepared you will be for your future cannabis career.
  7. {Bonus tip} Take the course with a buddy: You’re more likely to dedicate time to study when there’s a friend who’s also taking the same course. You’re also able to discuss and review materials together.

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Looking for an affordable, effective cannabis training certification?

Sign up for a course with THC University and get certified in a variety of specialties, like budtender training, cannabis laws by state, introduction to CBD, and more!

THC University is recognized as the best foundational cannabis program that allows beginners or those early in their cannabis careers. The 10 courses that are in the all-access bundle help students quickly get up to speed on “industry speak”. Our students find themselves able to start using the knowledge immediately in their job search or in their jobs. After they go through THCU courses, they’re able to decide if they want to specialize in any particular area.

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