New York requires everyone working under a licensed cannabis business to complete Responsible Workforce Training within 30 days of starting. It has four parts: two free state videos, at least one hour of implicit bias or cultural competency training, and at least two hours of job-specific safety training. Training must be free to staff and done on paid time, and full-time staff need at least four hours of ongoing training each year. Keep certificates and a signed attestation for every worker.
New York
Responsible workforce training
Regulator: Office of Cannabis Management
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Built on the Sell-SMaRT program. Counts toward part of New York's Responsible Workforce Training: the job-specific hours and the yearly training for full-time staff. Workers still need the two free state videos and implicit bias training.
$97 a seat. Team pricing: 2 to 24 seats $77, 25 to 74 seats $67, 75+ seats $57.
What the training has to cover
Does the course need state approval?The two state courses are mandatory and must be the versions the OCM designates (free YouTube videos). For the implicit bias part and the two hours of job-specific safety training, licensees may train staff themselves or use a third party. The rule we read does not create an OCM approval process or approved provider list for those parts. All required training must be free to the worker and done during paid work hours.
Records to keepFor each person, keep their name, first date of licensed activity, the name and description of each training completed, copies of course certificates, and a signed, dated attestation covering all modules. Records must be available to the OCM on request. The rule we read does not set a retention period.
Free and state-run optionsThe two state courses are free videos from the OCM and the Department of Labor, followed by the OCM Training Verification Form. The New York State Cannabis Workforce Initiative (Cornell ILR and WDI, funded by the state budget) offers free online modules for the other two parts: an Implicit Bias course and job tracks for retail, cultivation, manufacturing and distribution.
How our courses fitNew York Responsible Workforce Training Course: Sell Smart. A four-hour retail responsible vendor course. It can serve as part of the at least two hours of job-specific safety training and toward the four hours of yearly ongoing training. It does not replace the two state videos, which every worker must watch, and it is not described as covering the one-hour implicit bias requirement. Because the rule requires training at no cost to the worker, the employer must pay for seats.
New York training questionsWithin 30 days of starting licensed activities. Short-term staff working under 30 days get an abbreviated version.
Yes. Every worker must complete the OCM Cannabis Product Safety and Responsibility video and the Department of Labor Cannabis Workforce Responsibility video. A third-party course can only cover the other parts.
Yes. The state videos are free, and the Cannabis Workforce Initiative offers free implicit bias and job track modules for the other two parts.
No. Required training must be free to the worker, done during work hours and paid at the normal rate.
Yes. Licensees must give each full-time employee at least four hours of ongoing training per year.
For each worker, keep the training names and dates, certificates for the two state courses, their first work date and a signed attestation. Show them to the OCM on request.
Rules: 9 NYCRR 125.5.
Last checked 2026-10-24. This page summarizes public rules and is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with Office of Cannabis Management before relying on it.
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