The Path to Industry Certification: High School Industry Credentialing

A credential is defined as:

a complete industry certification program, e.g., Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA);
a pathway examination that leads to a completed industry certification, e.g., automotive technician examinations from ASE;
a state-issued professional license, e.g., Cosmetology;
an occupational competency examination, e.g., skill assessments from the National Occupational Competency Institute (NOCTI)

To meet board criteria as a student-selected verified credit, the course must be:

Taught by an educator with an industry certification or licensure from
Designed to prepare students for an occupation or occupational area
Knowledge-based; however, the credential may contain a performance-based component
In a CTE field that confers a credential from a recognized industry, trade or professional association or entity
Administered on a multi-state or international basis
Standardized and graded independent of the school in which the test is given

To encourage more students to work toward a selected industry credential or state license while pursuing a high school diploma, the Path to Industry Certification: High School Industry Credentialing program was developed. Students who earn a credential by passing a certification or licensure examination may earn up to two student-selected verified credits to meet graduation requirements. In addition to providing the opportunity to earn student-selected verified credits, this initiative provides the following benefits:

Added value to a transcript for higher education purposes or obtaining an entry-level position in the technical job market
Evidence that the student has completed advanced educational preparation and verification of CTE business and industry competencies and workplace readiness skills (WRS)
Increased job opportunities for advancement in a chosen career path
Enhanced self-esteem for students through achieving national occupational competency standards recognized by business and industry

Board of Education-approved exams & assessments

The board periodically reviews and approves industry, professional or trade association certification examinations and occupational competency assessments that will meet the student-selected verified credit requirements as well as to earn the board’s Career and Technical Education seal and Advanced Mathematics and Technology seal.

In addition to providing student-selected verified credit(s) and adding value to a student's résumé for obtaining entry-level positions in today's technical job market, credentials provide the following benefits to students:

evidence that the student has completed advanced educational preparation by verifying competency in career and technical education skill areas in demand by business and industry;
increased job opportunities for advancement in a chosen career path; and
enhanced self-esteem for students through achieving national occupational competency standards recognized by business and industry

Resources for High School Industry Credentialing

Explanations and Examples for the Data Collection Process for Student Credentialing (SWSS)

Explanation of Data for SSWS Records (XLS)
Record Format for Credentialing Application (XLS)
Example of Data Records for SSWS Process (XLS)
Narrative of the SSWS Process (Word)
For more information about the current process, see CTE Credential Data Collection

Information pertaining to the Virginia Credentialing Initiative

Questions and Answers (PDF)
Why Credentialing? Credentialing in Career and Technical Education (PDF)
Credential Exam Codes
- Credentialing Examination Numbers for SWSS, 2012-2013 School Year (PDF)
Pass Percentage by Credential
Pass Percentage by Credential, by School
- SSWS Student Pass Percentage By Credential By School for 2009-10 (XLS)
- SSWS Student Pass Percentage By Credential By School for 2010-11 (XLS)
Pass Percentage by Credential, by CTE Course
Student Data by CTE Course
- SSWS Credentials Sorted Showing Where Utilized in CTE Courses for 2011-12 (XLS)
School Report Card Data
CTE Performance Trends

Includes Virginia’s Credentialing Initiative and Credentialing Performance Trends

How Credentials Work for Student-Selected Verified Credit

DOE press release which includes student-selected verified credit explanation (Word)
Recommendations for Proctoring Industry Certification Credentialing Examinations and/or NOCTI Occupation Competency Assessments (PDF)
Teacher “exempted exams” for the Virginia Credentialing Initiative (PDF)
Fact Sheets for Industry Certifications
- Standard Diploma Requirements (Word)
- For information on a specific industry credential, please go to the Administrative Planning Guide’s section on Credentials. Select a credential to review detailed information.
- Career and Technical Education Generic Credentials
  - National Career Readiness Certificate (Word)
  - Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Examination
National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) Assessments
- How to Get Started with NOCTI Assessments Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Virginia Cut Scores for NOCTI New or Revised Assessments for School Year 2012-13 (PDF)

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