How to Get Your Colorado MED Badge in 6 Simple Steps

If you’re looking to break into Colorado’s flourishing cannabis industry, getting your MED Badge is the first place to begin. MED Badge is short for Marijuana Enforcement Division Employee License, and it works kind of like your driver’s license. You can’t legally drive without a driver’s license just like you can’t legally work in any Colorado business where THC product is grown, extracted, sold, or present without your MED Badge, which is officially known as your MED Employee License.

Oftentimes, employers for cannabis jobs won’t consider applicants who don’t have a MED Badge. But unlike the DMV, getting this license is an easy and straightforward process. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:

1. Step 1: Ensure Eligibility – Before diving in, carefully review the MED Badge criteria to ensure you qualify for it.
2. Step 2: Complete & Sign Your Application – Choose between two application methods: Digital, or printed.
3. Step 3: Check Your Identification – To apply for a MED Badge, you'll need one of the specified forms of identification.
4. Step 4: Fingerprinting – Work with a third-party fingerprint provider to get your fingerprints taken for your application.
5. Step 5: Payment – The Employee License Application Fee is $150. Pay via check, money order, or credit card authorization.
6. Step 6: Submission – The MED offers several different ways for applicants to submit their applications.

Before You Apply

Applicants are asked to carefully review the employee application and all of the MED Badge criteria before they begin filling out the application, to ensure that they’re eligible. NOTE: The application requires a $150 Employee License Application Fee.

Application

Applicants are asked to pick one of two ways to apply:

1. Use the ML1 web portal to submit your application digitally on your computer, phone or another device – NOTE: You will be required to pay your full application fee via credit card or e-check when you submit your application. Questions? Check out the Colorado Department of Revenue training video.
2. Print out your application and submit it by mailing it, dropping it off, or scheduling an appointment for submission. Download the MED Employee License Application, fill it out, and make sure to include all required documents and the complete application fee. NOTE: If your application is incomplete, missing documents, or lacks the application fee, it will take longer to process.

Make sure to check your application for signatures in all the places where signatures are required, all requested supporting documents, and the full application fee.

Identification

In order to apply for a MED badge, you must submit one of the following forms of identification outlined in The MED Required Forms of Identifications document.

A couple of notes:

• You must have some form of identification to apply – If you don’t have any of the forms of identification outlined, the Department of Revenue offers a waiver program for individuals with health problems, lack of permanent physical address in Colorado or lack of sufficient documentation
• Your identification must have a photo – If your selected form of identification doesn’t include a photograph, you must provide an additional government-issued photo identification
• You can live anywhere in the U.S. and apply for a Colorado MED License/Badge.
• The MED License/Badge is valid only in Colorado.
• You can apply with an out-of-state ID, but it must be current and Real ID Compliant.
• If your ID is current but not Real ID compliant, you'll need a secondary form of identification, such as a state-certified birth certificate, social security card, or valid US passport.
• Include a copy of your identification with your application.
• If your ID doesn't show your current address, that's okay, but be sure to provide your current address on the application. The MED badge will be mailed to the address listed on the application once your license is approved.
• Please submit photocopies of the form if you are mailing in the application
• Please bring the original document(s) if you are submitting the application in-person

Fingerprints

Getting your fingerprints taken is an essential step in your MED Badge application. The best option is to work with a third-party fingerprint provider, however, the MED does offer fingerprinting for individuals who submit their applications in-person, at their initial interview, for the additional cost of $39.50.

Don’t have your fingerprint report back from the third-party fingerprint provider? No worries! The Colorado Department of Revenue also offers applicants the ability to submit their fingerprints after submitting their applications, preferably within 7 days of submission. This allows applicants to get their paperwork in place while waiting for their fingerprint report.

Additional Resources:

• IndentoGo (Service Code: 25YGBJ)
• Colorado Fingerprinting (CBI Unique ID: 9500MAJI)

Payment

The Employee License Application Fee is $150.00 and is required to complete your MED application. Here are some best practices to facilitate the processing of your application:

• This payment may be completed via a check, money order, or credit card authorization. Please note cash payments are not accepted.
• If you opt to pay by check or money order, make it payable to the "Colorado Department of Revenue" (CDOR). Only send the exact amount due; additional service fees do not apply to mailed payments.
• The MED also accommodates email submissions via the Colorado Interactive Payment System – A MED staff member will email you a payment link if you choose this method.

Please be aware that inaccurate payments may cause delays in the issuance of your license. Ensure your payment is complete and correct before submission.

Submit

Once you’ve reviewed all of the steps and documents required to submit your MED badge, you’re ready to submit your application – Congrats! There are a few ways applicants can go about submitting their application:

Digital: Submit your application electronically through your computer, phone, or another device with internet access. Having trouble? Check out this training video.

Mail: Here are the places where you can mail your full MED application:

Colorado Springs/Southern Regional Office

2447 North Union Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Grand Junction/Western Slope Regional Office

632 Market Street, Suite G3

Grand Junction, CO 81505

Drop-Off: Drop off your application at the Lakewood office, open 8am - 5pm – 1697 Cole Blvd. Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80401

In-Person (Appointment Only): Schedule an appointment to visit a MED office location to submit your application in-person. Please ensure you have your completed application and any additional documentation with you at the time of your scheduled appointment. NOTE: Arriving more than ten minutes late will result in appointment cancellation, requiring you to reschedule. Learn more at the Colorado Department of Revenue’s webpage: Appointment Based In-Person Services.

Well, That Was Easy

And that’s that! You should have everything you need about how to get your MED Badge in Colorado. If you’re looking to get into the industry in another state, check out our Requirements to Work in the Cannabis Industry by State tool.

Once you receive your MED Badge, your next step is putting your talents to work. Sign up with Vangst to unlock the best cannabis career opportunities, build your network and sharpen your skills from leading professionals in the industry.