ASTM D8403-21 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D8403-21 — Standard Practice for Certificate Programs within the Cannabis and Hemp Industries. This practice provides protocols and quality guidelines for organizations that develop and issue non-degree certificate programs intended for stakeholders in the cannabis and hemp sectors, covering program design, administration, assessment, and issuer responsibilities.

Abstract

This standard practice establishes recommended procedures and minimum expectations for certificate issuers and certificate programs serving the cannabis and hemp industries. It addresses program structure (learning events and Body of Knowledge), assessment and verification of learning outcomes, issuer responsibilities (administration, recordkeeping, quality management), and alignment with existing training and credentialing practices. D8403-21 is intended to improve consistency and trust in industry-issued certificates and to support accreditation of certificate issuers.

General information

• Status: Published / Active (current edition approved Nov. 15, 2021).
• Publication date: Approved November 15, 2021; published December 2021 (designation D8403-21).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 65.020.20 (plant growing / cannabis & hemp industry topical area).
• Edition / version: D8403-21 (2021 edition).
• Number of pages: 7 pages.

Scope

D8403-21 provides protocols to certificate issuers for developing and administering certificate programs for stakeholders in the cannabis and hemp industries. The practice includes requirements for both the certificate issuer and for individual certificate programs, offers guidance on defining a Body of Knowledge (BoK) and learning outcomes, and provides a foundation for recognizing certificate issuers and supporting accreditation activities. It does not replace safety, regulatory, or jurisdictional requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions and terminology relevant to certificate programs and holders (aligned with ASTM D8270 and related terminology standards).
• Requirements for certificate issuers (organizational responsibilities, administrative systems, recordkeeping, conflict-of-interest management).
• Program design: defining scope, Body of Knowledge (BoK), learning outcomes, curriculum and instructional methods.
• Assessment and verification: guidance on formative/summative assessment, evidence of learning, and issuing of certificates only after verification of outcomes.
• Quality assurance and continuous improvement: program evaluation, complaints and appeals, and alignment with existing certificate practice (for example E2659 and ANSI/IACET concepts).
• Guidance to support external accreditation of certificate issuers (used by accreditation bodies such as ANAB).

Typical use and users

Intended users include community colleges and universities, government agencies, employers, independent training providers, professional and trade associations, and other entities that design or issue non-degree certificate programs for cannabis and hemp industry roles (e.g., cultivation, processing, retail, compliance, laboratory personnel). Accreditation bodies and regulators may use the practice when assessing or recognizing certificate issuers.

Related standards

D8403-21 is developed under ASTM Committee D37 (Cannabis) and Subcommittee D37.06 (Personnel Training, Assessment, Credentialing). It cross-references and complements standards such as ASTM D8270 (terminology relating to cannabis), ASTM D8308 (operation compliance), ASTM E2659 (practice for certificate programs), and other ASTM D37 series documents addressing training, credentialing, and related topics. Accreditation guidance from ANAB and ANSI practices are commonly cited when implementing D8403.

Keywords

cannabis; hemp; certificate; certificate program; credentialing; training; education; accreditation; Body of Knowledge; learning outcomes; assessment; certificate issuer.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D8403-21 is a standard practice that provides protocols and quality guidance for organizations that develop and issue non-degree certificate programs specifically for the cannabis and hemp industries.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers issuer responsibilities, program design (BoK and learning outcomes), assessment and verification procedures, recordkeeping, quality management, and considerations needed to support external accreditation of certificate issuers. It is not a safety or regulatory code.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Educational institutions, private training organizations, employers, professional associations, accreditation bodies (such as ANAB), and regulators seeking consistent practices for certificate programs in cannabis/hemp sectors.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of the date of this product page, the current designation is D8403-21 (approved November 15, 2021) and the standard is listed as published/active. No later revision or superseding designation was identified in the reviewed sources. Users who need absolute confirmation for compliance or procurement should check ASTM International’s document summary for updates before purchase or accreditation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ASTM D37 committee’s suite of cannabis- and hemp-related standards and was developed by Subcommittee D37.06 on Personnel Training, Assessment, Credentialing. It is commonly used alongside related practices and guides (for example E2659 and D8270).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Cannabis, hemp, certificate program, credentialing, training, Body of Knowledge, learning outcomes, assessment, accreditation.