Ohio Cannabis Workforce Training

Yes, Ohio cannabis businesses must train their employees. Since January 1, 2026, O.A.C. 1301:18-3-10 requires every licensee regulated by the Division of Cannabis Control to run an employee training program, with foundational training before an employee's first shift and ongoing training after that.

What Ohio's rule requires

• Foundational training before an employee starts work

• Ongoing training after that

• A yearly review and update of the training materials by the licensee

• Training records kept for two years

• An affirmation at license renewal that training was completed

The rule sets no minimum number of hours and no expiration date, so each licensee decides how often staff retrain. Many operators line the retake up with their annual review.

What is included

Ohio Cannabis Workforce Training covers the Ohio law side of that program. It is fully online and self-paced, and takes about four hours.

• Seven modules on Ohio and federal cannabis law

• Keeping an employee badge active

• ID checks and refusing a sale

• Patient privacy and confidentiality

• Security measures and incident reporting

• Emergency response, including robbery

• The 2026 changes from Senate Bill 56

• A downloadable study guide to review before the final exam

Your store still trains its team on its own SOPs, Metrc, and inspection readiness, and dispensary staff complete the OARRS eCourse before dispensing.

Format, exam, and credential

Each module ends with flip cards, practice questions, and a real-world scenario from the sales floor, and the course closes with a final exam. Learners who pass receive a dated certificate, valid for 12 months, for the employee's training records, which Ohio requires licensees to keep for two years.

Built for operators running a whole team

Foundational training has to happen before each new hire's first shift, so onboarding speed matters. The Learn Brands LMS lets you assign the course the day someone is hired, see who has finished, and keep every certificate in one place for your records.

Ohio cannabis training FAQ

Is employee training required for Ohio cannabis businesses?

Yes. Since January 1, 2026, O.A.C. 1301:18-3-10 requires every licensee to run an employee training program, with foundational training before an employee's first shift and ongoing training after that.

How many hours does Ohio require?

The rule does not set a minimum number of hours. This course takes about four hours, self-paced.

How often should staff retake it?

Ohio does not set an expiration date for this training, and licensees must review and update their training every year. The certificate is valid for 12 months, which lines up with that annual review.

How long do I have to keep training records?

Two years. Licensees also affirm at license renewal that training was completed.

Does this course cover everything my store has to train on?

It covers the Ohio law side of the program. Your store still trains its team on its own SOPs, Metrc, and inspection readiness, and dispensary staff complete the OARRS eCourse before dispensing.

How do I train my whole team at once?

Buy bulk seats, assign them to staff, and track completion in the dashboard. Bulk discounts are available to all companies on Learn Brands.

Workforce training in other states

Operating across state lines? Browse the full compliance training catalog for cannabis training in other states.