---
title: "What are the different user roles in LearnDash and what permissions do they have?"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/user-roles-permissions/"
description: "LearnDash works directly with WordPress' built-in user roles and adds a few special roles to help manage courses, lessons, and other learning materials. Heres a…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "LearnDash"
date: "2024-10-28"
last_modified: "2024-10-28"
---

# What are the different user roles in LearnDash and what permissions do they have?

LearnDash works directly with WordPress’ built-in user roles and adds a few special roles to help manage courses, lessons, and other learning materials. Heres a clear guide to the different user roles in LearnDash and what each one can do.

### Default WordPress Roles

**1. Administrator**

- Full access to all administrative options and features.
- Can manage all aspects of the site, including installing plugins, managing users, and configuring LearnDash settings.

**2. Editor**

- Can manage and publish posts, including those created by other users.
- Can manage and publish courses, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments in LearnDash.

**3. Author**

- Can publish and manage their own posts.
- Can create and manage their own courses, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments in LearnDash.

**4. Contributor**

- Can write and manage their own posts but cannot publish them.
- Can create courses, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments but cannot publish them.

**5. Subscriber**

- Can only manage their own profile.
- Can enroll in courses and view their progress.

### LearnDash-Specific Roles

**1. Group Leader**

- Can manage and monitor the progress of users within specific groups assigned to them.
- Can view reports and results for their group members.
- Can communicate with group members and manage group assignments.

### LearnDash Specific Permissions Overview

**1. Administrator**

- Full access to LearnDash settings, course management, user management, and reporting.

**2. Editor**

- Create, edit, and publish courses, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments.
- Manage all LearnDash content.

**3. Author**

- Create, edit, and publish their own courses, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments.
- Manage their own LearnDash content.

**4. Contributor**

- Create and edit courses, lessons, topics, quizzes, and assignments.
- Cannot publish content without approval.

**5. Subscriber**

- Enroll in courses and view their own course progress and results.

**6. Group Leader**

- Manage and monitor users within their assigned groups.
- View reports and communicate with group members.
- Manage group assignments.

### If you’d like to further customize Roles and Capabilities:

You can use plugins like [User Role Editor](https://wordpress.org/plugins/user-role-editor/) if you need more granular control over user roles and permissions. This plugin lets you customize and create new roles with specific abilities that fit your needs