Process for Adding new Industry-Recognized Credentials

How the List is Built

In September of 2014, the State Board of Education of Ohio passed a resolution to adopt a framework for determining industry-recognized credentials that qualify students for high school graduation. In addition to providing an alternative pathway to graduation, students benefit from learning job-specific skills that can be used to verify skill mastery and educational attainment. Industry-recognized credentials are also valuable to employers, allowing them to validate the knowledge and skills of potential employees and saving valuable time in assessing the competency of job applicants.

The term ‘‘industry-recognized credential” in this context refers to a certification or license that is approved by a diverse group of industry representatives and is used to some degree in the hiring process for individuals in that industry. Therefore, industry partners play an integral role in how the list is formed and validated.​

Businesses in virtually every industry are struggling to find workers who have the academic, technical and professional skills to consistently excel and succeed in the workplace. The review process relies on industry partners to validate the need of an industry credential in their respective career fields to ensure that students are earning credentials that are valued by Ohio businesses and/or are tied to Ohio’s Top Jobs List. Ohio's Top Jobs List includes both in-demand jobs and critical jobs.

Application

Community stakeholders, including schools, parents, students and businesses may submit credentials to the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce for consideration by completing an application.

The Industry-Recognized Credential Review Committee, the Department of Education and Workforce, and additional industry and policy partners including OhioExcels are working to establish new evaluation criteria for industry-recognized credentials. Therefore, all credentials submitted from November 1, 2025 will be evaluated when new criteria are established. The Department is still accepting applications for new credentials and for credential modifications, but applications will not be processed until new evaluation criteria are established. If the committee determines that more information is needed from applicants once new criteria are established, Department staff will reach out to applicants at that time. Any questions or comments regarding the work to establish new evaluation criteria should be directed to the Industry-Recognized Credential team at industrycredentials@education.ohio.gov.

  • Click here to view the application prior to submitting. It will allow for easy planning prior to beginning the live application.
  • Click here to begin the live application. You will not be able to save and come back to the application prior to submitting.

Application to Request Modification to Approved Industry-Recognized Credentials

An application has been created to request modifications to industry-recognized credentials on the approved list. Changes that may be requested for industry credentials include a point value increase, adding the credential to other career-fields or other changes. Applications for modification of the same request will only be evaluated every six months.  

  • Click here to begin the live application. You will not be able to save and come back to the application prior to submitting.

Application Process Timeline

The Industry-Recognized Credential Review Committee, the Department of Education and Workforce, and additional industry and policy partners including OhioExcels are working to establish new evaluation criteria for industry-recognized credentials. Therefore, all credentials submitted from November 1, 2025 will be evaluated when new criteria are established. The Department is still accepting applications for new credentials and for credential modifications, but applications will not be processed until new evaluation criteria are established. If the committee determines that more information is needed from applicants once new criteria are established, Department staff will reach out to applicants at that time. Any questions or comments regarding the work to establish new evaluation criteria should be directed to the Industry-Recognized Credential team at industrycredentials@education.ohio.gov.

Committee Members

The committee is comprised of representatives from the following associations and companies:

  • Associated Builders and Contractors of Ohio
  • Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Central Ohio Chapter
  • CentraComm
  • Central Ohio Transit Authority 
  • City of Dublin
  • County Engineers Association of Ohio
  • CyberOhio
  • Hilliard Modern Dental
  • Ohio Agribusiness Association
  • Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators
  • Ohio Business Roundtable
  • Ohio Chamber of Commerce
  • Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association 
  • Ohio Department of Transportation
  • Ohio Farm Bureau
  • Ohio Healthcare Association
  • Ohio Hospital Association 
  • Ohio Manufacturer's Association
  • Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy
  • Ohio Restaurant Association 
  • Ohio Retail Merchants
  • Ohio State Board of Cosmetology
  • Ohio Travel Association 
  • OhioX
  • Society for Human Resource Management
NOTE: The committee was developed collaboratively with the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and consists of representatives from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and representatives of professional business organizations.

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Last Modified: 12/10/2025 12:55:28 PM