Medical Cannabis Consultants, Trainers, and Credentialing

Consultants

What is a certified consultant?

A "certificate holder" or certified consultant is a person holding a valid medical cannabis consultant certificate issued by the secretary under Chapter 69.51A RCW.

Current regulations require a licensed cannabis retail store with a medical endorsement to have a certified medical cannabis consultant on staff.

A certified consultant who has an active credential issued by the Department of Health may:

  • Enter patient and designated provider information from the authorization form into the medical cannabis database and create the medical cannabis recognition card.
  • Assist the patient with selecting products that may help with their qualifying condition.
  • Describe risks and benefits of methods for using products.
  • Give advice on ways to properly store products and keep them safe from children and pets.
  • Show how to properly use products.
  • Answer questions about the medical cannabis law.

Consultants may not:

  • provide medical advice.
  • diagnose any conditions.
  • recommend changing current treatment(s) in place of cannabis.
  • open and use actual products when demonstrating how to use.
  • may not provide consulting services defined under WAC 246-72-030 without an active credential.

For additional information, view our Medical Cannabis Consultant FAQs.

Consultant Certification Requirements

Per medical cannabis laws and rules, to become a certified medical cannabis consultant you must:

  • be 21 years of age or older.
  • complete a department-approved 20-hour training program and provide proof of completion.
  • complete cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Because this isn't required to be covered in the 20-hour training, it can be taken any time prior to applying for certification.
  • print out, complete and submit by mail or in-person the medical cannabis consultant certification application, with all requested documentation, an original signature, date, and fee.

Update Contact Information

If you have had a name change or have moved since receiving your consultant certification, we recommend you complete and submit the contact information change form.

Order Copy of Certification

If you need a copy of your certification, mail a check or money order for $10 made payable to the Department of Health. Indicate that you're requesting a duplicate certification and include your certification number. If it's within 90 days of your expiration date, you may renew your certification and receive an updated copy.

Renew Certification

Consultant certifications expire on your birthday each year. A courtesy renewal notice will be mailed to your address on record. You must keep your address current with us. You may renew online prior to expiration through Secure Access Washington (SAW). If your certification has expired, you will need to either renew by mail or in-person. For more information, please visit License Renewals and Renewals Frequently Asked Questions.

Continuing Education Requirements

Under WAC 246-72-100, continuing education is required every year around the time of renewal. The Department of Health sends certificate holders a courtesy renewal notice which includes the date continuing education is required. It's best to start the renewal process early to avoid an expired consultant certificate. Please see the medical cannabis continuing education requirements webpage to learn more.

Questions About Your Application?

All consultant certification applications, including renewals, are handled by the department's Office of Customer Service. There are three ways to check the status of an application:

Learn More About:

Trainers

Consultant Trainer Application Process and Instruction

To apply to be a trainer for the medical cannabis consultant certification training program, you must follow these instructions.

  • Step 1: Read all instructions before downloading the proposed consultant training application packet (PDF).
  • Step 2: Review the application instructions checklist on page 1 to be sure your application is complete. Additional documents that are required to be submitted with the application are listed on page 2. Complete all the information on pages 3 and 4 and sign in section 4 of the application. Note: There are three items that may not apply to your training program, in which you may enter not applicable or N/A if any of these don't apply to your training program:
    • Federal ID Number
    • Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board License ID (This is only required if the total training course hours exceeds 24 hours and shouldn't apply to this course)
    • Email and Web Address (if your business doesn't have one)
  • Step 3: Mail your application and supplemental documents to:
    Medical Cannabis Program Proposed Consultant Training Application
    P.O. Box 47877
    Olympia, WA 98504-7877

*All applications, including renewals, are handled by the department's Office of Customer Service. If you have questions regarding application content, contact the Office of Customer Service at 360-236-4700. 

Application Review Process

Training program applications and all required supplemental documentation will be reviewed for completeness upon receipt. Training program providers will be contacted by the credentialing department if any outstanding documentation is needed to complete the process.

  • Completed application packets will then be reviewed by department program staff. Program staff will provide technical assistance if the proposal is not fully compliant with the rules. The secretary of the Department of Health must approve all medical cannabis consultant training programs before classes can be offered. If a program does not meet the requirements following reasonable technical assistance, it will not be approved.
  • Proposed medical cannabis consultant training program trainers will be notified of approval or denial in writing by the department.
  • Contact information for approved training programs are listed on the department's web site.
  • If a training program is approved, they must notify the department prior to making any changes to the original application proposal.

Approved Programs Providing Consultant Certification Training

The Department of Health has approved three training programs. Contact information for registration and training type (online or in-person) are listed below:

Advanced Learning Management System from Medical Marijuana 411
Training type: Online
Contact information: 844-411-0500 ext. 813 
P.O. Box 2782
Redmond, WA 98052
Register here

Green CulturED
Training type: Online
Contact information: 720-446-8847
757 E. 20th Ave., Ste. 370-439
Denver, CO 80205
Register here

The Seattle Central College Cannabis Institute and the Academy of Cannabis Science
Training type: Online
Contact information: 206-934-5448
1701 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
Register here