CTDL Benchmark Models

CTDL Benchmark Models

Last Updated on 6/29/2026
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Introduction: Comprehensive information for understanding and making decisions about credentials is important for students and workers, employers, educators, government agencies, policymakers, and other stakeholders. In order to ensure we are gathering and enabling the use of relevant, clear, and quality data, Credential Engine has a Minimum Data Policy for the Credential Registry. The minimum data policy is based on the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) and is the necessary baseline to establish credential transparency. However, the policy also identifies Recommended Benchmarks as models to include more comprehensive data that includes information valuable to different consumers, providers, employers, and agencies. Organizations offering credentials, education and career pathways, quality assurance, transfer value recommendations, and other information described by the CTDL are encouraged to include as much of this information as possible when publishing to the Registry. The recommended benchmarks allow for the creation and permanence of a more robust data network that offers valuable and trusted credential information to fuel the creation of services, tools, and opportunity.

Additional Information: These benchmark models are organized by credential type to accommodate the differences in both structure and data points for each credential type. Though not all credentials will fit perfectly into these boxes, these benchmark models serve as a guideline for the amount of information that can help describe your Certificates and Licenses.

Based on the definitions for Certification and occupational License, the following terms to describe credential renewal and revocation include: renewal, renewal frequency, renewed by, revocation, revocation process, and revocated by.

Credential Engine has also expanded the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to include data points for Pathways, Transfer Value, and Education and Training to Jobs Skills. We encourage you to publish and connect these data to information about your credentials, as well, to widen the impact and benefit of your contributions.

Additional Information: These benchmark models are organized by credential type to accommodate the differences in both structure and data points for each credential type. Though not all credentials will fit perfectly into these boxes, these benchmark models serve as a guideline for the amount of information that can help describe your Degrees and Certificates. Credential Engine has also expanded the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to include data points for Pathways, Transfer Value, and Education and Training to Jobs Skills. We encourage you to publish and connect these data to information about your credentials, as well, to widen the impact and benefit of your contributions.

Additional Information: These benchmark models are organized by credential type to accommodate the differences in both structure and data points for each credential type. Though not all credentials will fit perfectly into these boxes, these benchmark models serve as a guideline for the amount of information that can help describe your Apprenticeships. Credential Engine has also expanded the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to include data points for Pathways, Transfer Value, and Education and Training to Jobs Skills. We encourage you to publish and connect these data to information about your credentials, as well, to widen the impact and benefit of your contributions.

Additional Information: Only use the following benchmark model if you are publishing a digital badge that is a standalone credential. If you are publishing a credential that also has a digital badge associated with it, then please use the benchmark for that specific credential type.

These benchmark models are organized by credential type to accommodate the differences in both structure and data points for each credential type. Though not all credentials will fit perfectly into these boxes, these benchmark models serve as a guideline for the amount of information that can help describe your Badges. Credential Engine has also expanded the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to include data points for Pathways, Transfer Value, and Education and Training to Jobs Skills. We encourage you to publish and connect these data to information about your credentials, as well, to widen the impact and benefit of your contributions.

Additional Information: Education and Career Pathways are the starting points, available routes, and reachable destinations available to students and workers. People seek quality credentials as a means to achieve their education and career goals, but they often lack the necessary information to make use of their opportunities. This benchmark model helps individuals understand the routes, components and destinations such as credentials and training requirements for different jobs, how various credentials and skills translate to access and advancement in the workforce, and how different work and reskilling experiences can help with lifelong employability. Credential Engine recommends publishing these Pathways benchmark data (as applicable) into the Registry using the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to create a valuable linked open data network that reliably maps the credential landscape.

Pathway Components should be selected and used based on each pathways unique characteristics. This benchmark model is a draft and open for feedback via info@credentialengine.org.

Pathway Set

Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

Pathway

Pathway Component

Benchmark

Additional Information: Transfer Value benchmarks help individuals, employers, providers, and other stakeholders better understand how different credentials and competencies relate to other opportunities. People seek quality credentials and specific competencies as a means to achieve their education and career goals, but they often lack the necessary information to understand the value of these opportunities in relation to their larger education and employment goals. The information recommended by this benchmark model can also help employers understand how to expand their talent pool. Credential Engine recommends publishing these Transfer Value benchmark data into the Registry using the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to create a valuable linked open data network that reliably maps the credential landscape.

This benchmark model is a draft and open for feedback via info@credentialengine.org.

Transfer Value Profile

Transfer Value Profile describes the nature of the transfer value along with references to the source(s) and/or recipient(s) of that value.

Value Profile

Value Profile describes the specifics (such as type and amount) of the credit associated with the transfer value.

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

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Learning Opportunity Profile
Learning Program

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Owned By Offered By
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Equity Benchmark Model

The Equity Benchmark Model is developed based on the final report of the Credential Engine Equity Council, as outlined in Appendix 1. This appendix provides additional information, including descriptions of data categories and specific data points. For further details, please refer to the appendix in the report.

For those who are committed to publishing the data elements listed in this report, which are related to addressing equity through credential data transparency, the following information can serve as a resource to help you publish the recommended terms using CTDL data.

It's important to note that the status of CTDL Terms is subject to change. The Equity Benchmark Model is based on point-in-time information and should be reassessed and updated periodically. You can find additional Benchmark Models at https://credreg.net/registry/benchmarks.

The Equity Benchmark Model categorizes data points into three tiers:

  • Tier 1: No Excuses - Tier 1 data points form a strong foundation and should be considered standard reporting practices for all users and providers. They acknowledge that equitable pathways are not solely defined by access but must also include student-centered supports that lead to persistence, retention, and completion. By establishing these data points, providers can build a solid foundation and foster an equity-minded culture to better serve students.
  • Tier 2: Time to Stretch - These data points should be actively pursued by all providers in terms of analysis and publication. Once a firm baseline and consistent data practices are established, Tier 2 data points help entities grow in areas that are necessary to assess whether pathways are leading to equitable outcomes. While providers and users may not be currently equipped to capture or utilize all of the data points in this tier, they should make a concerted effort to move towards making Tier 2 practices standard as the field continues to evolve.
  • Tier 3: Future Forward - These data points indicate the direction the field is heading, and providers should evaluate how to develop the capacity to analyze and publish them. As entities and the field improve their data practices, it is important to be responsive to the changing needs of learners and innovations that support their success. Tier 3 represents considerations that should be kept in mind in the coming years. In order to create equitable pathways, there must be a consistent assessment of what is working well and what is relevant. As the needs of students change, these data points may also evolve. Tier 3 highlights the need to be forward-thinking and constantly evaluate the requirements for equitable outcomes.
Select an Equity Tier to view its contents.

Select an Equity Tier.

Tier 1: No Excuses

These are data points that all providers should be able to analyze and publish now.

Data points in Tier 1 create a strong starting point and should be standard reporting practices for all users and providers. They reflect that equitable pathways are not simply defined by access but must also encompass student centered supports that lead to persistence, retention, and completion. These data build a strong foundation and will aid in adopting an equity minded culture to better serve students.

Cost Considerations
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Cost of tuition/program

Cost Profile

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

Financial Assistance Considerations
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Students in program are eligible for federal or state financial assistance

Financial Assistance Profile
Advisory Supports
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Academic advising offered/required at key milestones

Support Service

Required

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At least one of:
Offered By Owned By
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Completion Information
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Credits to completion

Value Profile

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

Benchmark

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Time to completion

Duration Profile

Required

Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

Transfer Pathways
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Program transfer pathways are illustrated in a student- and advisor-facing map

Transfer Value Profile
Pathway

Persistence Rates

Data Set Profile

Required

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Data Set Time Frame

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Data Profile

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Output: Job Readiness and Career Outcomes
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Pass rate for licensure or credentialing exams

Data Set Profile

Required

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Data Set Time Frame

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Data Profile

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Tier 2: Time to Stretch

These are data points that all providers should be actively working on being able to analyze and publish.

Once a firm baseline and consistent data practices are established, Tier 2 data points help entities to grow in needed areas to better assess if pathways are leading to equitable outcomes. Providers and users may not be prepared to capture or utilize each of this tier’s data points, but given current developments in the field, providers should be making a concerted effort to move towards Tier 2 becoming standard practice.

Secure, Digital Student Records
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Provider supports students and learners developing consumable digital records and resumes

Verification Service Profile

Required

Pending Policy
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Benchmark

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Credential Transparency
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Provider uses standardized language around assessing skills and competencies (e.g., aligning offerings to hirable competencies), in addition to credentialing

Competency Framework
Competency
Collection

Required

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At least one of:
Has Member Subject Webpage
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Collection Member

Required

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At least one of:
Start Date End Date
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Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

Support Services
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Appropriate and relevant wrap around services, based in data about student needs, are readily available

Support Service

Required

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Preferred Concept(s): support:SupportCoordination
Program, Course, and Assessment offerings
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Program courses are offered at times that accommodate students managing work and life responsibilities

Scheduled Offering

Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

Quality Assurance
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Accreditation status and information about accrediting body, including accreditation at the organization level

QA Credential Organization
Quality Assurance Credential
Credential Organization
Stackable Credentials
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Stackable credentials illustrated in a student- and advisor-facing program map

Credential and its subclasses
Completion Information
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Number of transfer / prior learning credits the program will apply to completion

Transfer Value Profile
Credential Acquisition
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Acquisition of related industry recognized credentials (certification, license, etc.)

Certificate
Certification
License
Outcomes Data
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Several topics are covered by the classes below, including:

  • Financial Return on Investement: Debt of graduates analyzed alongside wages
  • Placement Information: Average length of time to initial job placement
Data Set Profile

Required

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Data Set Time Frame

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Benchmark

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Data Profile

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Tier 3: Future Forward

These are data points that point to where the field is headed, and providers should be assessing how to build capacity to analyze and publish them.

As entities and the field grow in their data practices, there is a need to be responsive to the changing needs of learners and innovations that support their success. Tier 3 represents considerations that should be top of mind in coming years. In creating equitable pathways, there must be a consistent assessment of what is working well and what is relevant. As the needs of students change, these data points may also shift but this tier represents the need to be forward thinking and constantly assess what equitable outcomes require.

Advisory Supports
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Advisor to student ratio

Data Set Profile

Required

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Data Set Time Frame

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Data Profile

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Financial Assistance Considerations
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Aid packaging and disbursements are designed to maximize value for the recipients

Support Service

Required

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Financial Assistance Profile
Support Services
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Tutoring offered to support learners in program

Support Service

Required

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Preferred Concept(s): support:Tutoring
Transfer and Credit Mobility
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Number of transfer credits that were accepted and applied by a subsequent provider

Data Set Profile

Required

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Data Set Time Frame

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Data Profile

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Benchmark

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Provider has a student-facing tool with real time, personalized information for students on credit mobility and transfer that allows students to run "what if" scenarios to understand how to maximize credit applicability

Transfer Value Profile

Existence of institutional policy on reverse transfer

Credential Organization
Output: Job Readiness and Career Outcomes
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

How many (and which) careers is the credential applicable to (i.e., can the learner apply to just one area?)

Credential
Placement Information
Applicable Terms

This section primarily applies to these kinds of classes:

Job placement in desired field

Data Set Profile

Required

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Data Set Time Frame

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Quality Credential Frameworks

Better data is essential to making better decisions about the quality of credentials. Organizations across the United States, including the Educational Quality Outcome Standards Board (EQOS), Educational Strategy Group, and National Skills Coalition are providing important guidance to state governments and other organizations responsible for identifying credentials that meet quality standards. Credentialing organizations - credential providers, quality assurance bodies, assessment organizations, state labor market information agencies, and others - can publish credential, competency, pathway, outcome, and other essential information relevant to quality determination so that it is publicly available.

To help government and credentialing organizations make quality information about credentials publicly available, use the Benchmark Models. Select any of these national frameworks to see the relevant CTDL terms to be included when publishing credential data. This will ensure greater transparency to help everyone better understand their quality and value.

The overlapping themes between these frameworks as they relate to the CTDL include:

  • Identify the jobs credentials prepare for those jobs that are in demand and new jobs forecasted to be on the horizon.
  • Provide outcome data to show employment, earning, and completion to show the credential led to a good job in the related field.
  • Identify the processes and quality standards followed in developing the credential. This includes how input was considered from employers.
  • Show the skills and competencies that people will demonstrate because of completing the credential.
  • Define how credentials prepare for or are prerequisites for other credentials.
  • Create education and career pathways to help people achieve their goals.
  • Issue credits for non-degree credentials.
  • Incentivize programs to provide quality credentials and to help students afford them.
Select a Quality Assurance framework to view its contents.

Select a Quality Assurance Framework.

Introduction to Educational Quality Outcome Standards

The Educational Quality Outcome Standards (EQOS) standards are intended to be applied broadly to higher education providers, including accredited and unaccredited institutions. As they are meant to measure and validate only the outcomes that a program claims, these standards are intentionally agnostic to institutional mission, structure, and other elements that might vary in a review of traditional institutions of higher learning. These standards accordingly do not restrict participation to education or training providers based on any type of qualifications related to facilities, faculty, or other structural elements. The goal of an agnostic approach to a provider’s model or structure is for these standards to provide assurance about the value of enterprises with regards to their student outcomes.

While no system can perfectly capture every dimension of an education provider's or training program's quality, these standards will allow institutions to report outcomes relevant to the customers—the learners who pay to attend and the employers who hire them. To that end, the EQOS Quality Assurance Standards and related assessments capture near and medium-term outcomes according to the following metrics:

  1. Learning - Skills and competencies gained
  2. Completion - Number of enrolled students who finish the program while meeting learning standards
  3. Placement - Labor market position post program
  4. Earnings - Delta between pre- and post-program income
  5. Satisfaction - Student evaluation of the program

To learn more about this framework visit the EQOS website.

EQOS Framework: Learning

Acquiring knowledge and skills is perhaps the most important feature of any consideration of quality. Learning quantifies and categorizes the skills and competencies within a program and assesses whether graduates have met industry and/or self-identified benchmarks by the end of instruction.

The following CTDL terms identify the competencies/skills a credential or learning opportunity program teaches students.

Competency Framework
Competency
Assessment Profile
EQOS Framework: Completion

Rates of completion provide a useful measure of how individual learners fare within a given program. This metric logs the rate at which enrolled students successfully finish their program.

The following CTDL terms identify credential and learning opportunity completion rates for programs.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Quantitative Value

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

EQOS Framework: Placement

Students often cite obtaining jobs, career advancement, or continuing higher education as key reasons for pursuing postsecondary education. Placement measures whether a program graduate has obtained a new job, advanced in title and/or salary with an existing employer, or generated a new or increased income through self-employment.

The following CTDL terms identify aggregate employment outcome data for a credential or learning opportunity program.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Quantitative Value

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

EQOS Framework: Earnings

Financial rewards and economic mobility provide key measures of value for students in postsecondary education. Earnings measure the average wage or salary of participants before and after their program.

The following CTDL terms identify aggregate earnings data for a credential or learning opportunity program.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Quantitative Value

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

EQOS Framework: Satisfaction

While harder to quantify, student satisfaction is an essential component of quality evaluation. Satisfaction assesses the program's success from the student's perspective through survey questions focused on instructor quality, program content, and level of support.

Currently the CTDL does not have terms for student satisfaction. During 2021, Credential Engine will explore including terms for aggregate student satisfaction. CTDL does not include personally identifiable information, only aggregate outcome related information.

Introduction to Educational Strategy Group

Across the country, the pathway to economic security and self-sufficiency looks far different than it once did. Significant economic shifts—spurred both by rapid technological advancement and the downturn of the Great Recession— have fundamentally altered the reality of education and work. Postsecondary education is now a requirement to access good jobs, and there are many more pathways learners can take to get there, including those that culminate in non-degree credentials.

The choices states make about which non-degree credentials “count” will either encourage learners down a meaningful career path or unwittingly steer them to pursue lower-value credentials that do not lead to good jobs. The Education Strategy Group (ESG) toolkit lays out an evidence-based methodology that K-12, postsecondary, and workforce development leaders in any state can use to approach this work with greater confidence. States and communities can use this step-by-step guide within the toolkit to help ensure that students earn high value credentials:

  1. Identify in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations
  2. Create a list of priority non-degree credentials that correspond to the in-demand, high-skill, high wage occupations
  3. Validate the findings with employers and finalizing a statewide list of “priority” non-degree credentials
  4. Incentivize priority non-degree credential attainment through offering postsecondary credit, funding strategies for schools and colleges, articulated postsecondary credit for high school earners, and rigorous accountability systems
  5. Report and monitor priority non-degree credential attainment with reliable, verified data

To learn more about this toolkit, visit ESG Building Credential Currency.

ESG Building Credential Currency: Non-degree credentials that prepare for in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage occupations

Before classifying the value of non-degree credentials themselves, it is necessary to first identify your state’s high-wage, high-skill, in demand occupations in which these credentials exist and hold value.

The following CTDL terms identify the occupations a credential and learning opportunity prepare for along with aggregate labor market information such as employment and earnings. Include the competencies that are learned.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Competency Framework
Competency
Occupation
Quantitative Value

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

ESG Building Credential Currency: Validate with employer input

Use qualitative methods like representative sampling and sector-based industry focus groups to validate the value of non-degree credentials with employers.

The following CTDL terms, in the context of Credentials and Learning Opportunities, can include information about the processes used to align to the competencies and skills required by employers.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Process Profile

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

ESG Building Credential Currency: Incentivize non-degree credential programs

Provide incentives and outreach to education and training providers and to students to help more learners earn non-degree credentials with labor market currency.

The following CTDL terms provide information about credits, cost and Identify the financial assistance available to students who may enroll in non-degree credential programs.

Cost Profile

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

Financial Assistance Profile
Value Profile

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

Benchmark

Pending Policy
Pending Policy
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Pending Policy
ESG Building Credential Currency: Report on credential attainment

Collect comprehensive, validated data on non-degree credential attainment to understand which credentials are being earned and by whom. Store that information in the appropriate data systems. And create processes in accountability and reporting to clearly prioritize the non-degree credentials that are aligned to in-demand, high-skill, high-wage occupations

The following CTDL terms identify aggregate outcomes with credential and learning opportunities.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Introduction to National Skills Coalition

National Skills Coalition (NSC) developed this framework to help states define quality for non-degree credentials. Non-degree credentials (NDCs), such as certificates, industry certifications, apprenticeship certificates, and occupational licenses are a key component of state credential attainment goals. NSC considered four types of non-degree credentials in developing a definition of quality: certificates, industry certifications, occupational licenses, and apprenticeship certificates. A quality non-degree credential is defined as one that provides individuals with the means to equitably achieve their informed employment and educational goals. There must be valid, reliable, and transparent evidence that the credential satisfies the criteria that constitute quality. Following a set of general principles, NSC encourages states to establish quality guidelines for non-degree credentials based on four criteria identified below. Each criteria is followed by a listing of CTDL terms that make credential quality information transparent:

  • Substantial job opportunities
  • Transparent evidence of the competencies mastered by credential holders
  • Evidence of the employment and earnings outcomes of individuals after obtaining the credential
  • Stackability to additional education or training

To learn more about this framework, read the NSC publication, Expanding Opportunities: Defining Quality Non-Degree Credentials for States (Sept. 23, 2019).

NSC Quality Non-Degree Credentials Framework: Substantial job opportunities

There must be evidence of substantial job opportunities associated with the credential. And the evidence must include quantitative data and direct communication with employers.

The following CTDL terms identify the occupations the credential prepares for such as the O*Net Standard Occupation Codes and aggregate job demand and growth data.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Occupation
Quantitative Value

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

NSC Quality Non-Degree Credentials Framework: Transparent evidence of the competencies mastered by credential holders

There must be transparent evidence of the competencies mastered by credential holders; competencies that align with expected job opportunities.

The following CTDL terms identify the competencies/skills a credential prepares for.

Competency Framework
Competency
NSC Quality Non-Degree Credentials Framework: Evidence of the employment and earnings outcomes of individuals after obtaining the credential

Unless there is evidence of the employment and earnings outcomes associated with a credential, individuals and others are not in position to know if a credential provides the means to achieve their goal.

The following CTDL terms identify aggregate employment and earnings outcome data.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Quantitative Value

Required

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

NSC Quality Non-Degree Credentials Framework: Stackability to additional education or training

Credentials should stack toward another postsecondary credential.

The credentials can also be shown in education and career pathways. See the CTDL Pathways Benchmark Model for more information.

The following CTDL terms identify the relationships between credentials.

General Term Recommendations

In addition to the classes listed in the sections below, the following terms are recommended for use in the various contexts in which they appear:

Pathway Set

Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

Pathway

Benchmark

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.

Pathway Component

Benchmark

Noncredit Data Taxonomy

Noncredit education and non-degree credentials are growing rapidly, but data systems have not kept pace with this expansion. The project aims to strengthen data infrastructure by advancing research, developing a shared taxonomy for data collection, and creating learning opportunities to share effective practices across the field.

The State Noncredit Data Project (SNDP), led by the Rutgers Education and Employment Research Center (EERC) in partnership with universities in North Carolina, Michigan, and California, is working to address a significant gap in how noncredit education data is collected and used across the country. Despite the growing popularity of noncredit programs and non-degree credentials — with an estimated 4.1 million community college students enrolled in noncredit offerings — data on these programs remains inconsistent, incomplete, and difficult to compare across states.

A central output of the project is the Noncredit Data Taxonomy. The taxonomy organizes noncredit data into four primary sections: purpose and design (what a program is and how it's delivered), student outcomes (academic, labor market, and credential outcomes), enrollment and demographics (who is participating), and finance and policy (how programs are funded and governed). Version 3.0 significantly expands on the original with new additions around accessibility, student services, provider information, and WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) and Workforce Pell policy data.

Taxonomy 3.0 has been mapped to the Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL).

Note on Controlled Vocabularies

CTDL uses controlled vocabularies called Concept Schemes to enumerate predefined terms required as values for certain properties. Required or recommended CTDL Concepts are indicated below.

Users – including providers, institutions, systems, and government agencies – may define and publish their own Concept Schemes to provide more specific definitions for taxonomy data elements. Any resource type (Credential, Learning Program, Course, etc.) can reference a concept from a user-defined Concept Scheme via the property Classification . Data elements where this may be useful include this property.

Select a Category to view its contents.

Select a Category.

Category 1: Purpose and Design

Field of Study

Course/Program Name: College- or state-level name for noncredit course

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Course/Program Description: Narrative description of a noncredit offering

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State Program ID: State-issued program ID

CIP Code: 2, 4, or 6-digit CIP Codes

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SOC Code: Standard Occupation Code (SOC)

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NAICS Code: North American Industry Classification System code

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O*NET Code: Occupational Information Network code

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Career Cluster: Course/program alignment with 14 Career Clusters

State-Specific Code: State code, if different from CIP or SOC

Noncredit Type

Occupational Training: "Noncredit occupational training is geared toward individuals seeking to gain or improve job skills leading to initial or better employment. These courses are most often available through an open registration process, do not follow a typical semester schedule, and are paid for by individuals through either their own resources or through third-party funding for which they are eligible."

Sponsored Occupational (Contract) Training: "similar to occupational training … arranged by special contract with organizations … can be specific training developed for an organization, or it can lead to some particular industry-based standard … delivered in a way most convenient for the contracting organization … responds directly to local area needs"

Pre-College: "primary courses/programs delivered include ABE, ESL instruction, GED preparation, and even some aspects of developmental studies. These are typically offered at no charge to the student other than testing fees, supplies, etc."

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Personal Interest: "Common examples include ballroom dancing, cake decorating, and the like … are demand driven, because students likely self-pay, and often reflect the needs, interests, and priorities of local communities"

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Program Length and Admission

Number of Courses if Multi-Course Program: Number of noncredit courses required to complete a noncredit program

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Total Contact (Clock) Hours for Offerings: "A period of time consisting of (1) A 50- to 60-minute class, lecture, or recitation in a 60-minute period; (2) A 50- to 60-minute faculty-supervised laboratory, shop training, or internship in a 60-minute period; or (3) Sixty minutes of preparation in a correspondence course"; required contact hours for each single-unit course/program and for multi-course programs

Calendar Length: Dates of offering and/or calendar duration

Admission Requirements: Prerequisites, test scores, and/or age required for enrollment

Program Start Date: Date of which each course/program offering begins

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Program End Date: Date of when course/program offering ends

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Delivery

Face-to-Face: Course/program offered face-to-face

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Face-to-Face Location: Location where course/program with face-to-face component is offered: on campus, industry site, or other off campus location

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Online: Course/program is offered online

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Blended: Course/program is offered in blended/hybrid format

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Competency-Based: Course/program is competency-based

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Work-Based Learning: Work-based learning required for course/program completion

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Credential Stackability: Whether the credentials earned stack to additional credentials

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Related Occupation is “High-Skill, High-Wage, or In-Demand”: Aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations as defined by the state for federal programs (Perkins, WIOA, Workforce Pell)

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In addition to the data listed above, a relevant state entity should publish occupation data which can be linked to via the isPreparationFor property. This includes the following classes and properties:

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Articulates to Credit Program: Noncredit offering results in academic credit toward an established program at the same of another institution

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Method for Award of Academic Credit: Formal method for awarding academic credit

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Related Credit Program Name: Name of program into which credit is articulated

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Institution OPEID for Credential Articulation Program: Institutional ID for program into which credit is articulated

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The organization identified in the transfer data can include the relevant OPEID identifier.

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Faculty Data: Course/program instructors: permanent faculty who teach both credit and noncredit, permanent faculty who teach noncredit only, adjunct faculty, and/or external/contract faculty

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CTDL does not capture data about individual people.

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Accessibility and Student Services

The data element below uses the CTDL Support Class ceterms:ScheduledOffering . A credential, program, course, etc. can connect to a scheduled offering via the property ceterms:hasOffering .

Evening Courses: Course/program is offered in the evenings

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The data elements below use the CTDL Class ceterms:SupportService. A credential, program, course, etc. can connect to a support service via the property ceterms:hasSupportService.

Transportation: Transportation availability (e.g., bus/train routes)

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Access for Disabled: Format of offering is disability accessible

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ceterms:accommodationType

Preferred concept(s): The Concept Scheme ceterms:Accommodation includes several terms to indicate accessibility

Language of Instruction: Offering is available in languages other than English

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Career Advising: Availability of career advising for enrolled noncredit students

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Academic Advising: Availability of academic advising for enrolled noncredit students

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US Department of Labor (US DOL) One-Stop Services: Availability of US DOL One-Stop services for enrolled noncredit students

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Personal Counseling: Availability of personal counseling for enrolled noncredit students

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Childcare Assistance and Services: Availability of childcare assistance and services for enrolled noncredit students

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Provider Information

Provider Name: Name of training provider’s organization or institution

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Provider ID (including OPEID): ID number of training provider (including 8-digit OPEID)

Provider Type: Type of training provider (e.g., community college, private)

Provider Title IV Program Participation Agreement (PPA) Expiration Date: Date through which program is approved by Governor

Use the CTDL Class ceterms:RegulatoryInformation to provide data on regulatory compliance. An organization, credential, program, course, etc. can connect to regulatory information via the property ceterms:hasRegulatoryInformation .

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Provider Accrediting Body: Institutional accrediting body

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Outsourcing: Percent of course/program offered by another provider

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Nondegree Credentials Associated with Offerings

Industry Certification: Industry certifications are “awarded by industry certification bodies” and “awarded for third-party, independent competency assessment”

Occupational Licensure: Licenses are “awarded by government agencies” and “awarded for meeting requirements of an occupation”

College-Issued Certificate: Certificates are offered by many entities including education providers such as community colleges. Certificates can be awarded for participation, completion, or achievement, or by assessment.

Microcredentials: “Microcredentials verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible time spans and tend to be more narrowly focused.”

Apprenticeship: Noncredit offering is part of the related instruction provided for a DOL-registered apprenticeship

Resulting Credential Name: Official name of earned credential

Competencies: Determination that course/program includes competencies aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs

Resulting Credential Competencies: Determination that course/program includes competencies aligned with high-skill, high-way, or in-demand jobs

Employer Hiring Criteria: Determining that course/program meets employer hiring criteria

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Program-to-Credential Relationship: Description of how completion leads to credential attainment

Category 2: Student Outcomes

Academic Outcomes

Noncredit-to-Credit Transitions: Whether noncredit student enrolls in credit courses/programs

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Completion: Course/program completion data and type of available data (pass/fail, grades, complete/not complete, credential earned)

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Labor Market Outcomes

Pre-Enrollment Employment: Student employment status before enrolling in offering

Post-Completion Employment: Student employment status after completing an offering

Post-Completion Employment in Field: Student post-completion employment in a field aligned with the offering they completed (e.g., O*NET or SOC code)

CTDL Primary Classes

CTDL is being expanded to include this type of outcome.

CTDL Primary Class Properties

Pre-Enrollment Earnings: Student salary, wage, pay rate, and/or other measure of earnings before enrolling in an offering

Post-Employment Earnings: Student salary, wage, pay rate, and/or other measure of earnings after completing an offering

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Nondegree Credential Outcomes

Industry Certification: Student attainment of industry certification(s) “awarded by industry certification bodies” or “awarded for third-party, independent competency assessment”

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Occupational Licensure: Student attainment of license(s) “awarded by government agencies” or “awarded for meeting requirements of an occupation”

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College-Issued Certificate: Student attainment of certificate(s) offered by any entity (e.g., education providers). Certificates can be awarded for participation, completion, achievement, or by assessment.

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Microcredentials: Student attainment of microcredential(s), which “verify, validate, and attest that specific skills and/or competencies have been achieved. They differ from traditional degrees and certificates in that they are generally offered in shorter or more flexible time spans and tend to be more narrowly focused.”

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Apprenticeship: Student attainment of DOL-registered apprenticeship credential

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Date Credential Earned: Date on which associated credential earned

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CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

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Category 3: Enrollment and Demographics

Enrollment and Completion

Headcount: Duplicated and unduplicated enrollment by course/program

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Sections Delivered: Number of sections delivered for each offering

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Registrations: Student course/program registrations for each offering

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Contact Hours: Student contact hours

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Start Date: Date student begins course/program

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Completion Date: Date on which course/program was completed

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Last Date of Attendance (Non-Completers): Non-completers’ date of last attendance

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Basis for Withdrawal: Whether tuition refund was issued for student departing course/program

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Tuition Refunded: Whether tuition refund was issued for student departing course/program

CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Demographics

The following demographic information may be published as aggregate metrics and outcomes. CTDL does not cover student-level personally identifiable data.

Race/Ethnicity: Student race/ethnicity

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Age: Student age

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Sex/Gender: Student sex/gender

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Citizenship: Student citizenship status

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Zip Code: Student zip code

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State of Residence: Student state of residence

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County of Residence: Student county of residence

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Disability Status: Student documented disability

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WIOA Participant: Student WIOA eligibility

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English as a Second Language: Student designated as an English Language Learner

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Formerly Incarcerated: Student status as former incarcerated

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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Student TANF eligibility

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Foster-Care Youth: Student status as a former foster-care youth

There is no CTDL coverage for this variable.

Housing Status: Student housing status

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Highest Education at Enrollment: Highest level/degree earned prior to enrollment

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Workforce Pell Student Eligibility: Student is Pell/Workforce Pell eligible

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Outside Financial Assistance Received by Student: Amount student receives in financial assistance other than Workforce Pell

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Identifiers

The CTDL does not have coverage for personally identifiable data elements.

Category 4: Finance and Policy

Tuition and Student Costs

Course/Program Tuition: Tuition for each offering

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ceterms:estimatedCost

Estimated cost of a credential, learning opportunity or assessment.

Financial Aid: Financial aid availability for each offering

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Fees: Fees charged for each offering

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Other Costs: Other costs for each offering

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Total Costs: Total costs for each offering

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State and Federal Funding

State Reimbursement: Course/program eligible for state funding through formula, enrollment, or similar funding

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Economic Development Incentive: Course/program offered as an economic development incentive for new and/or expanding businesses

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Other State Grants: Course/program eligible for other state funding

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Federal Funding

WIOA Eligible: Course/program eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program funding. WIOA is a federally funded program “designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in a global economy”

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Workforce Pell Eligible: Determined by the Governor and U.S. Department of Education to a Workforce Pell-eligible course/program

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Workforce Pell Program Approval Date: Date of which program was approved

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Other Federal Grants: Course/program eligible for federal funding

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Policy-Relevant Program Outcomes

Program Job Placement Rate: Rate of job placement among program completers

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Program Job Placement Rate in Occupation: Rate of job placement in related occupation among program completers

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Bilateral State Approval: Approved for cross-state approval based on data sharing and placement outcomes

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Program Estimated Value-Added Earnings: Estimated value-added earnings as determined by the Governor for each program

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Condition Profile Benchmarks

A Condition Profile describes a set of requirements for a credential, assessment, or learning opportunity. If there is more than one way to earn a credential or to complete a learning opportunity or assessment, you will need more than one Condition Profile.

Process Profile Benchmarks

Requirements

There are no Required properties for this class. Please use the Benchmark properties.

Benchmarks

There are no Benchmark properties for this class. Please use the Required properties.