Responsible Vendor Training (RVT)
for NYS Adult-Use Licensees

• All cannabis licensees are required to provide eight (8) hours of Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) to managers, employees, contractors, volunteers, or persons performing activities under a licensee’s authorizations.
• Training must be completed, within thirty (30) days of engagement.
• Training must be provided at no cost to the trainee.
• Training must take place during the employee’s work hours, and the licensee will pay the employee their usual rate of pay while completing any required training.
• Retail licensees and Processor licensees have different training requirements.
• Licensees must maintain an Employee Training Manual which is provided in a printed version to employees during the RVT program.
• The Employee Training Manual must include company-specific employee guidelines, safety and emergency procedures, and security protocols.
• Employee Training Manual must be made available at the licensed premises to all employees, authorized personnel, and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) upon request.

A. Licensed Retail Dispensaries and Licensed Retail Businesses

• Must provide adequate supervision of staff, including trainees, by persons familiar with standard operating procedures for the relevant roles and activities.
• Must ensure all staff have demonstrated capability in the activities they are responsible for.
• Must ensure all staff are fully trained on all standard operating procedures (SOPs), including security and emergency procedures and any procedures related to employee and public health and safety.
• Have policies and procedures for identifying training needs on an annual basis and providing ongoing training of personnel, for a minimum of eight (8) hours per year, for each full-time employee.

B. Licensed Processors

• Must provide standard operating procedures for all staff involved in extracting, processing, and/or manufacturing cannabis or cannabis products.
• Training that is specific to the duties assigned, and the safe operation of the equipment, machinery, solvents, gases and systems to be utilized.
• Training on the hazards presented by the use of chemicals and solvents, as described in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each. Safety data sheets shall be onsite, maintained, and readily available to employees. For licensees authorized for cultivation, the training manual shall also include training on the application of any chemicals or pesticides used in the cultivation of cannabis.
• If extracting, best practices, including, safe extraction procedures and protocols, and fire prevention and fire response.
• If manufacturing edible products, best practices, including safe food handling training as specified in the Department of Agriculture and Markets safe food handling regulations.
• Have policies and procedures for identifying training needs on an annual basis and providing ongoing training of personnel, for a minimum of eight (8) hours per year, for each full-time employee.

• Licensees may provide their own training and develop training curriculum and materials, provided that the training meets the minimum core curriculum standards.
• Licensees may contract with third parties who will provide suitable curriculum.

• All training must be provided to employees and qualified workers free-of-charge by licensees. Qualified workers includes all managers, employees, contractors, volunteers, or persons performing activities under a licensees authorization.

• Licensees must document completion of RVT by each qualifying person.
• Licensees must retain records and make them available upon request by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Records must include:
  • Trainee’s Name
  • Trainee’s Hire Date
  • The name and itemized list of all training satisfactorily completed by the trainee.

• Failure to retain records or to make records available by request to the OCM can result in disciplinary action, including:
  • Civil Penalties
  • License Cancellation
  • Suspension
  • Revocation
  • Denial of Renewal
  • Civil or Criminal Fees, Fines, or Penalties

People who achieve 80% correct on this self-test, can receive an optional certificate of completion at no charge.