U.S. Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

National Organic Program (NOP) 

Organic Integrity Learning Center

Course Offerings
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NOP-010: Introduction to the USDA Organic System

This course presents a core regulatory overview of organic farms, crops, livestock, 

and handling practices. The course also introduces fundamentals of organic 

production practices, including soil management and pest management.

NOP-020: Sound and Sensible Organic Certification

Sound and Sensible Organic Certification describes a certification process that is 

affordable, accessible, and attainable for all farms and businesses. This course 

provides a range of resources for farms and businesses seeking organic certification 

to help them understand and navigate the certification process and requirements.

NOP-030: Fundamentals of Inspection

The Fundamentals of Inspection course is designed to provide inspectors and 

reviewers with an understanding of the inspection process, so you can begin to 

conduct basic onsite inspections of organic crop, livestock, and handling operations. 

You will learn inspection procedures and tactical skills for performing efficient and 

effective onsite inspections, as well as tips for writing reports and communicating 

with certifiers. The course aligns with the USDA’s goals of fair and consistent organic 

certification and enforcement, and the National Organic StandardsBoard’s 

recommendations for inspector qualifications.

NOP-040: Compliance and Enforcement: Adverse Actions, 

Appeals, and Reinstatements

This Compliance and Enforcement: Adverse Actions, Appeals, and Reinstatements 

course is designed for certifiers and inspectors responsible for investigating 

complaints, issuing noncompliance and adverse actions against certified 

operations, and navigating mediation and appeals processes. The course also 

addresses the reinstatement process.
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NOP-050: Certification Administration Essentials

The Certification Administration Essentials course outlines the managerial and 

administrative tasks of an accredited organic certification agency, the systems and 

procedures needed to address them, useful resources for management, and 

interpretations of the regulations. The course presents a myriad of tasks required to 

plan, develop, implement, and monitor a system designed to achieve and maintain 

USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) 

accreditation. Certifiers provide a critical connection among all organic stakeholders 

— certifiers, inspectors, applicants, certified operations, the USDA, and the public. This course helps certifiers 

to understand the quality management system necessary to implement procedures that meet NOP 

accreditation requirements. 

NOP-060: Import Oversight Essentials

The Import Oversight Essentials course covers requirements for organic products 

imported into the United States and certifier responsibilities to verify the 

compliance of organic imports with USDA organic regulations.

NOP-070: Advanced Inspections: Investigations

The Advanced Inspections: Investigations course provides inspectors and reviewers 

with the fundamentals needed to plan for and conduct a thorough investigation, 

specifically one involving an inspection. The course focuses on planning, collecting 

evidence to support an ongoing investigation, and documenting your work.

The course is for experienced inspectors and reviewers who have completed the 

Fundamentals of Inspection course and the Compliance and Enforcement: Adverse 

Actions, Appeals, and Reinstatements course.

NOP-080: Traceability Techniques

This Traceability Techniques course teaches certifiers, inspectors, and reviewers 

traceability auditing techniques for handling operations. This course reviews the 

purpose of traceability techniques within the organic control system. It teaches 

certifiers, inspectors, and reviewers traceability auditing techniques, and it explains 

and demonstrates two types of audits: a Trace-Back Audit and a Mass Balance Audit.
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NOP-090: Organic Dairy Compliance

This course covers a range of requirements related to livestock management, with 

a special focus on organic dairies. The primary audiences include organic certifiers, 

inspectors, and reviewers, who assess organic dairies for compliance with the 

organic regulations. Organic dairies will also benefit from knowing the National 

Organic Program’s expectations for certifiers in overseeing their operations.

NOP-100: Organic Fraud and the Criminal Mind

This course presents an introduction to product fraud and key criminology and 

behavioral sciences insight to understand “Organic Fraud and the Criminal Mind.” 

This insight can then be applied to identify the fraud opportunity and focus 

inspections and investigations accordingly.

NOP-110: Preventing the Organic Fraud Opportunity

This course expands on the “Organic Fraud and the Criminal Mind” course to review 

key elements and processes for conducting an organic fraud vulnerability 

assessment. The course reviews several case studies and applies intelligencegathering and analysis to understand where system weaknesses occur.

NOP-120: Input Material Review

 This course provides instruction to organic stakeholders on how to make reliable 

and consistent material review decisions. This includes knowing which sources of 

inputs are allowed, and which restrictions apply to the use of specific input 

materials (and when). This course builds a solid understanding of general material 

review fundamentals; organic regulatory requirements; resources available to make 

informed compliance decisions; and complex real-world examples. This course also 

includes practical exercises designed to help solidify learning. This course is divided 

into four lessons: Fundamentals of Material Review; Crop Inputs; Livestock Inputs; and Handling Inputs. Each 

lesson is further divided into sections based on subject area.
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NOP-130: Organic Seed Search

The Organic Seed Search course introduces learners to the challenges encountered 

with organic seed search verification across a range of certified operations. It 

examines the state of the organic seed supply and the challenges which certifiers 

and inspectors face in making informed decisions about whether equivalent 

varieties are available. The course guides learners in determining whether 

commonly encountered enforcement issues are systemic or limited in nature.

This course helps certifiers develop a consistent structure for organic seed search evaluations. This structure 

is based on best practices describing steps that can be taken. It includes tools that can be used to ensure 

certifiers apply a uniform level of scrutiny when assessing organic seed search documentation related to 

quality, quantity, and equivalent varieties. Finally, the course helps organic operations understand the 

importance of the organic seed and planting stock requirement, improve organic seed search 

documentation, and identify resources to improve organic seed sourcing and variety trialing.

NOP-150: Organic System Plans 

The Organic System Plan (OSP) is a document used as the basis for communication 

between the applicant for organic certification, the certifier, and the inspector. It is 

the foundation of the organic certification process. This course teaches 

requirements related to OSPs in the USDA organic regulations, examines the 

different functions of the OSP, discusses critical organic control points and potential 

obstacles in the certification process, and provides OSP evaluation and design 

considerations for certifiers.

NOP-140: Recordkeeping

This course introduces learners to a variety of recordkeeping systems encountered 

across the range of certified operations. It examines challenges posed by different 

operational activities and complexity levels. The course guides learners in 

determining whether commonly encountered recordkeeping issues are limited or 

systemic in nature. Finally, this course will help certifiers structure internal and 

collaborative recordkeeping reviews across operations.

NOP-160: Organic Regulations and Retail Labeling

This course introduces the federal organic standards and the stakeholders 

responsible for rulemaking, implementation, and enforcement. This course is 

intended for farms and businesses considering organic certification and for organic 

professionals who participate in the regulatory process. It also explains the different 

components of the organic standards—the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA 

or the Act), the USDA organic regulations, and the NOP Handbook. This course also 

covers the rules for labels, labeling, and marketing of organic retail products.
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NOP-170: Certification Review Essentials

This course introduces learners to the Organic System Plan (OSP) requirements, 

organic control points in compliance evaluation, and inspection report review. The 

course also guides learners to identify non-compliances and correct citation of the 

USDA organic regulations through case scenarios. This course helps reviewers to 

gain confidence in completing effective and efficient reviews that lead to 

appropriate and defensible certification decisions.

NOP-200: Advanced Compliance and Enforcement Topics

The Advanced Compliance and Enforcement Topics course examines methods for 

determining certification status and ownership of an operation and other applicant 

and operation research. The course also explores advanced investigation planning, 

writing strong settlement agreements, and strategies to use when settlement 

agreements are broken.

NOP-180: International Organic Trade Arrangements

This course describes international organic trade, organic equivalence, and how 

these arrangements facilitate trade and protect organic integrity. Understanding 

these concepts is critical for certifiers and others evaluating products traded under 

equivalence.

NOP-190: Sampling and Testing

This course provides an overview of the regulations and guidance that authorize 

certifiers to collect samples. It also examines appropriate responses to sample result 

findings. The course covers proper procedures for collecting samples of organic 

products in a variety of settings. Lastly, the course describes how sampling and 

testing is a tool for certifiers to verify compliance with the organic standards and 

effectiveness of certified operations’ contamination prevention plans.

NOP-210: Keep it Organic When Handling and Processing

The Keep it Organic When Handling and Processing course introduces elements of 

certification, including types of handling processes, product labeling categories and 

composition requirements, facility pest management, sanitation, commingling risks 

and prevention.
NOP-230: Risk-Based Oversight

The Risk-Based Oversight course expands on the concepts of organic compliance 

to introduce risk-based oversight and risk management strategies. Risk is a part of 

any business. Evaluating and assessing risks, and the vulnerabilities that can lead to 

risks, can help operations mitigate negative impacts to compliance. Certifiers can 

also manage risk at a system level by looking across its business decisions and 

processes, across its certified operations, and at an individual operation level. 

Understanding vulnerabilities and risks in the organic market helps certifiers to evaluate an operation’s OSP 

and related activities. Risk factors and vulnerability to risk play out differently for certifiers, inspectors, and 

operations. For example, a certifier may manage system-level risk by improving staff skills and capacity. 

Certifiers can manage risk across operations by designing a risk-based unannounced inspection program, 

and through inspector assignments. Certifiers and inspectors oversee the processes and procedures of a 

certified operation. Operations evaluate their own systems to prevent the use of non-organic products and 

prohibited practices and substances. This course addresses risk-based oversight as it applies to these roles. 

The course also addresses operational oversight “on-site” as would be described in an OSP.

NOP-240: Evaluating an Operation’s Corrective Actions to 

Noncompliances

The Evaluating an Operation’s Corrective Actions to Noncompliances course

introduces ways to effectively review corrective actions and supporting

documents submitted by an operation. The course guides learners in examining the

adequacy of an operation’s corrective actions and highlights best practices to

prevent the reoccurrence of noncompliances. 

NOP-220: Organic Integrity and Energy Infrastructure

This course provides organic farmers who encounter infrastructure development on 

their farms with information to help manage what happens on their land and the 

long-term viability of their certified operations.

The course also helps certifiers evaluate compliance of infrastructure installation 

and maintenance with the organic standards and outcomes of infrastructure 

mitigation efforts.

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NOP-250: Natural Resources and Biodiversity

This course teaches certifiers and inspectors how to assess natural resources and 

biodiversity requirements as indicated in organic system plans (OSPs) and on-site 

during annual inspections. The course provides tools that help you know what to 

review and what to include in inspection protocols and reports.
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NOP-270: Organic Products Sold at Farmers Markets

The Organic Products Sold at Farmers Markets course provides farmers market 

managers, vendors, and consumers with the knowledge and tools needed to ensure 

that a vendor’s organic claims are legitimate. By the end of the course, farmers 

market managers, vendors, and consumers will understand the meaning of “organic” 

and be able to identify potentially mislabeled or misrepresented organic products 

sold at farmers markets.

NOP-280: Advanced Traceability and Mass Balance Techniques

The Advanced Traceability and Mass Balance Techniques course teaches how to 

create consistency in traceability inspection exercises and explains effective 

practices for using audit tools to verify compliance and prevent fraud. Inspectors 

and certifiers will use scenarios to consider audit results and understand their role 

in taking action on audit results. This course is intended for experienced inspectors 

and certifiers who have already completed the NOP-080 Traceability Techniques 

course.

NOP-260: Organic Field Crop Practices

The Organic Field Crop Practices course provides inspectors and certification 

professionals with a foundational understanding of organic field crop production 

practices and organic technical advising services. You will learn the basics of soil 

health, fertility management, strategies for weed, pest, and disease control, seasonal 

field activities, and the possibilities for offering professional organic technical 

advising services.

NOP-290: Organic Dairy Compliance 2

The NOP-290 Organic Dairy Compliance 2 course builds on the NOP-090 Organic 

Dairy Compliance course with an in-depth review of the pasture practice standard 

and grazing season and pasture management requirements. This course also 

explains the process of conducting feed audits to verify that animals receive a 

minimum of 30 percent dry matter intake from grazing, on average, over the course 

of the grazing season. Throughout the course, questions, interactive scenarios, and 

short videos illustrate situations that inspectors may encounter at a dairy operation.
NOP-320: Conducting Yield Analysis

The Conducting Yield Analysis course provides instruction on how to complete and 

evaluate a yield analysis for U.S.- and non-U.S.-based operations. It introduces the 

concepts and research that underpin yield analysis. It then teaches how to apply 

these concepts through hands-on exercises. The course explains potential outcomes 

of yield analysis and provides a framework for evaluating results, with a discussion of 

caveats and considerations. Finally, the course recommends best practices for 

documenting yield analysis, which is essential when determining a course of action 

for operations that may have violated the organic regulations.

NOP-300: NOP People, Processes, and Policy

The NOP People, Processes, and Policy course explains the role of the NOP within the 

organic industry. It introduces key NOP functions and explains how responsibilities 

are organized across divisions. The lessons and exercises help learners to understand 

where to find key resources, how to submit a complaint, and how to participate in 

the public comment process. The course also covers the role of the NOSB.

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NOP-330: Origin of Livestock

This course teaches organic certifiers, inspectors, and producers about the updated 

Origin of Livestock requirements in the USDA organic regulations, published in April 

2022.

NOP-310: Scenario-Based Inspector Training

This course introduces skills for conducting successful organic inspections including 

critical thinking, risk determination, effective interpersonal communication, and the 

observe-and-report approach. Video scenarios cover inspections of crop, livestock, 

and handling operations.
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NOP-997: National Organic Program Microlearning

The National Organic Program Microlearning course contains a library of NOP 

microlearning modules. Microlearnings present a short topic accompanied by a 

knowledge check. These modules are designed for on-the-job learning and are not 

graded.

NOP-996: Growing the Organic Workforce

This course contains a library of NOP growing the organic workforce modules. The 

NOP and nonprofit partners develop resources to train, recruit, and support organic 

professionals. These resources promote market development, protect organic 

integrity, and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

NOP-340: Livestock Traceability

This course gives certification professionals a foundational understanding of livestock traceability considerations. This course introduces ways to strengthen organic 

integrity, identify potential fraud, perform livestock traceability and verification at 

the time of inspection, and verify compliance with organic livestock regulations for 

producers, processors, and handlers.

NOP-350: Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Final Rule Core 

Course

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule update to the USDA organic 

regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and 

sale of organic products. This final rule implements 2018 Farm Bill mandates, 

responds to industry requests for updates to the USDA organic regulations, and 

addresses National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendations. The SOE 

final rule protects organic integrity and bolsters farmer and consumer confidence in the USDA organic seal 

by supporting strong organic control systems, improving farm to market traceability, increasing import oversight authority, and providing robust enforcement of the organic regulations. The SOE complements and 

supports the many actions that the USDA takes to protect the organic label, including the registration of the 

USDA organic seal trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The registered 

trademark provides authority to deter uncertified entities from falsely using the seal, which—together with 

this new rule—provides additional layers of protection to the USDA organic seal. This course divides the 

rule’s sections into nine manageable lessons for targeted reading and learning.
NOP-999: National Organic Program Training Archive

This course holds the content for all published courses in the Organic Integrity 

Learning Center, so you can continue to access course content once you have 

completed a course. The course also includes, Archived Slides, a separate page that 

includes selected material from the National Organic Program’s annual training 

sessions for certifiers, on topics not yet integrated into Learning Center courses. 

Training content that has been integrated into Learning Center courses is not

repeated here.

NOP-998: National Organic Program Presentations

This course contains a library of NOP presentations delivered at conferences and 

meetings. Most presentations were recorded following the event and therefore 

are not the live versions. They are posted to keep the organic community informed 

about our work as we address different audiences.

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