Guidance: Annual license application checklist

Use this checklist to make sure that you have all the necessary information prior to starting your online annual license application. Learn more about application requirements and required documents on our Application Resources Page.

Required information for all license types

Input the following information:

• Legal first and last name of the applicant (must be an owner)
• Legal business name of the commercial cannabis business applying for the license
• Every business trade name, fictitious business name, and DBA, if any
• License type you are applying for
• License type designation (medicinal, adult-use, or both, if applicable)
• Physical address of the premises or the assessor’s parcel number
• Business mailing address, if different from premises address
• Phone number for the commercial cannabis business
• Website for the commercial cannabis business, if any
• The number the commercial cannabis business files federal taxes under such as the federal employer identification number (FEIN or EIN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN or TIN), social security number (SSN), or national identification number (NIN)
• Contact information for the individual owner of the business who will serve as the designated primary contact person or designated responsible party for the business, including the name, title, phone number, and email address.
• Contact information of each individual or entity serving as agent for service of process for the business, if any, including full legal name, mailing address, primary contact phone number, email address, and preferred method of written communication (e.g., standard mail or email)
• Business organizational structure type, such as partnership, joint venture, limited liability company (LLC), sole proprietorship, trust, or corporation
• Valid seller’s permit number issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. If not yet received, you will be asked to attest that you are currently applying for one.
• State Employer Identification Number (SEIN) issued by the California Employment Development Department, if applicable

Required documents

Upload the following documents:

• Evidence that the applicant has the legal right to occupy and use the proposed location as required by section 15007
• A premises diagram as required by section 15006
• Proof of a surety bond of at least $5,000 per premises payable to the State of California. An aggregated bond may be used when multiple licenses are held by the same commercial cannabis business
• A limited waiver of sovereign immunity as required by section 15009, if applicable
• Evidence of CEQA compliance as required by section 15010
• If the business is a foreign corporation or foreign LLC: a certificate of qualification, registration, or status issued by the California Secretary of State
• A complete list of every owner of the commercial cannabis business, as defined in section 15003
• A list of all financial interest holders as defined in section 15004
• Optional: A copy of a license, permit, or other authorization from the local jurisdiction where the licensed premises will be or is located. When provided, the local jurisdiction has ten calendar days to confirm validity of the authorization

Labor peace agreements (updated July 2024)

If the commercial cannabis business has 10 or more employees, either:

• A notarized statement that the commercial cannabis business will enter into and abide by the terms of a labor peace agreement, or
• A copy of the signature page of the agreement that demonstrates the business has entered into a labor peace agreement.

If the commercial cannabis business has fewer than 10 employees:

• A notarized statement that the business will enter into and abide by the terms of a labor peace agreement within 60 days of hiring its 10th employee.

Owner information

Submit the following information for each owner:

• Full legal name
• Title within the commercial cannabis business
• Date and place of birth
• Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number
• Contact information (mailing address, email address, and phone number)
• Current employer
• Percentage of ownership interest held in the business by the owner
• Number of the government-issued ID
• A copy of the owner’s completed application for electronic fingerprint images submitted to the Department of Justice
• A detailed description of any relevant administrative orders or civil judgements as defined in 15002(c)(16)(M), if any. An owner may provide mitigating information.
• Attest that, “Under penalty of perjury, I hereby declare that the information contained within and submitted with this application is complete, true, and accurate. I understand that a misrepresentation of fact is cause for rejection of this application, denial of the license, or revocation of a license issued.”
• Optional: A statement of rehabilitation for any conviction as defined in section 15002(c)(16)(K)

Applicants for a manufacturing license will need to ensure that each individual owner creates an individual profile in Manufacturing Licensing System and inputs the required information. Applicants for all other license types will need to input the information for each owner.

Financial interest holders

Submit the following information for each financial interest holder:

For individuals:

• First and last name
• Contact phone number and email address
• Type and number of the individual’s government-issued ID

For entities:

• Legal business name
• Name, phone number, and email address of the entity’s primary contact
• Federal taxpayer identification number for the entity

Submission guidelines

Do the following when submitting your application:

• Pay the application fee pursuant to section 15014
• Attest that the proposed premises is in compliance with Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 26054(b) and, if requested, evidence of compliance as defined in section 15002(c)(18).
• Attest that the business employs or will employ (within one year of receiving a license) one supervisor and one employee who have successfully completed a Cal-OSHA authorized 30-hour general industry outreach course if the business has more than one employee.
• Disclose if you have been denied a license or had a license suspended or revoked by the Department or any other state cannabis licensing authority. The applicant shall provide the type of license denied, suspended, or revoked, the name of the licensing authority, and the date of the denial, suspension, or revocation.

NOTE: The Department may request additional information from you, if needed, to evaluate your application. Please submit the requested information within the timeframe noted in the request. Failure to submit information in a timely manner can lead to delays in processing your application; extended delays could result in your application being considered abandoned.

Additional documents

Have the following documents ready, in case they are requested during the application review process. These documents are not required to be submitted at the time of application, but the Department may request them from you during the application review process.

• Business formation documents that are not available online through the California Secretary of State (e.g., operating agreements, bylaws, certificate of trust, etc.)

Guidance by license type

The Department of Cannabis Control requires additional information from applicants based on license type. Please see below for the additional information required for each license type. If you are applying for a microbusiness license, submit the additional information required for each activity that will be part of your microbusiness.

Guidance: Annual license application checklist

Use this checklist to make sure that you have all the necessary information prior to starting your online annual license application.

Application checklist: cultivators

Overview of information and documents required for cultivators during the application review process.

Application checklist: manufacturers

Overview of information and documents required for manufacturers during the application review process.

Application checklist: other license types

Overview of documents and information required for distributors, retailers, event organizers, and laboratories.