Programs & Education

Programs & Education

What you can do here

• Explore NCSEF education programs

• Enroll in beginner‑friendly and advanced courses

• Get guidance tailored for Social Equity Applicants

• Join the community for mentorship and priority support

Programs at a glance

• Budtender Foundations
• Front‑of‑house skills, product knowledge, dosing basics, patient care, compliance, and customer experience.

• Cultivation Essentials
• Based on our "Weedology" workbook. Plant biology, environments, IPM, harvesting, curing, safety, and record‑keeping.

• Comprehensive Cannabis Certification
• End‑to‑end education across cultivation, manufacturing, retail, compliance, and entrepreneurship.

• Licensing Support Pathway
• Step‑by‑step coaching for Social Equity Applicants. Documentation prep, eligibility guidance, timelines, and readiness checklists.

• Career Readiness + Mentorship
• Resume and interview prep, portfolio templates for operators, and industry mentor office hours.

Members receive priority support, cohort access, and discounts to partner events like MJBizCon.

Course details

• Format: On‑demand modules + live Q&A

• Topics: Product categories, terpenes and cannabinoids, dosing and safety, patient scenarios, POS compliance

• Outcome: Job‑ready certificate and interview preparation pack

• Format: Workbook + video walkthroughs + labs

• Topics: Germination to harvest, media, nutrients, IPM, drying, curing, compliance logs

• Outcome: Practical grow plan and SOP starter kit

• Format: Multi‑track program

• Tracks: Cultivation, retail, manufacturing, compliance, entrepreneurship

• Outcome: Capstone project, career plan, and NCSEF certificate

Licensing Support Pathway (Social Equity)

• Eligibility: Understand Social Equity criteria and required documentation

• Readiness: Business basics, location, community impact plan, compliance roadmap

• Submissions: Timelines, checklists, and review support

• Ongoing: Office hours, peer groups, and referral network

How it works

1. Become an NCSEF member
• Unlock course discounts, priority support, and partner benefits.

2. Pick a program
• Start with Budtender Foundations or jump into the Comprehensive Certification.

3. Learn by doing
• Assignments, templates, and real‑world scenarios you can reuse.

4. Get certified and connected
• Join the member community for jobs, mentors, and events.

Who this is for

• People impacted by cannabis criminalization seeking opportunity in the industry

• Career‑switchers and first‑time operators

• Small business owners pursuing licensing or expansion

• Advocates and community leaders building equitable programs

Outcomes you can expect

• Job‑ready skills with a recognized NCSEF certificate

• A compliant, practical plan you can execute

• A supportive network and ongoing mentorship

Get started

• Become a Member – $25/year

• Request Licensing Support

• View Events & Partnerships

FAQ

• Do I need prior experience?
• No. Our programs are designed for beginners and self‑paced learners.

• Are there scholarships?
• Limited scholarships are available for Social Equity Applicants.

• Are certificates recognized by employers?
• NCSEF certificates are valued by partner organizations and operators across our network.