Credential Information

2026-2027 Academic Year

Credential Version

Starting with SY 26-27, for credentials offered through Certiport, NCDPI will only recognize the three most current versions as of August of the current school year.
These credentials are indicated by two asterisks in the Validation Artifact field of the Credential Information.

Career and Life Essentials Certificate

Credential Name	Career and Life Essentials Certificate
Credential Vendor Info	Soft Skills AHA Cindi Reiman Soft Skills AHA President 20 Ridgewood Lane \| Hilton Head Island SC 29928 info@softskillsaha.com 843-290-2626 www.softskillsaha.com
Implementation Year	2026-2027
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	ED45 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of certificate
Credential Lead Consultant	Jim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Code and Title	ED45 Career Management
Credential as POL	ED45 POL = No
Pathway(s)	All pathways
Cost of Instructor Training	$0.00
Instructor Training Requirements	None
Exam Voucher Expiration	None
Credential Lifespan	Lifetime
Renewal Options	N/A
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)	Career Exploration/Awareness Skills. (N/A)
Articulation	No
Sequencing	Yes The Soft Skills AHA certification is often a stepping stone for individuals pursuing higher-level professional credentials. For example: Students with the Soft Skills High Certificate may advance to specialized certifications in leadership or customer service. Professionals earning the Soft Skills Pro Certificate demonstrate readiness for roles requiring advanced interpersonal skills, positioning them for management training programs. Alignment with Industry Needs: Employers recognize soft skills as critical for progression into leadership or customer-facing roles. This certification ensures individuals are equipped with these competencies, which are often prerequisites for professional certifications in fields like human resources, sales, customer service, and management.
Employer Transferability	Yes
Delivery Format	Online
Proctored Environment Required	No
Proctored Requirements	N/A
Test Site Options and Requirements	None
Testing Environment Requirements	N/A
Exam Time Allotment	60 minutes
Exam Passing Requirement	70%
Retakes	Yes Students can take the exam twice.
Student Accommodations	No
Multilingual Resources*	No
Directory Notes	None

Conover Credential Workplace Readiness Job Readiness

Credential Name	Conover Credential Workplace Readiness Job Readiness
Credential Vendor Info	The Conover Company: A Division of Oakwood Solutions, LLC Terry Schmitz 4 Brookwood Court \| Appleton, WI 54914 920.279.1077 or 1.800.933.1933 x7850 https://www.conovercompany.com
Implementation Year	Before 2022-2023
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	ED45 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of certificate
Credential Lead Consultant	Jim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Code and Title	ED45 Career Management
Credential as POL	ED45 POL = No
Pathway(s)	All pathways
Cost of Instructor Training	$1,000.00 Setup fee and is usually discounted
Instructor Training Requirements	None
Exam Voucher Expiration	12 months Lifetime if not assigned
Credential Lifespan	Lifetime
Renewal Options	N/A
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)	Career Exploration/Awareness Skills. (N/A)
Articulation	No
Sequencing	No
Employer Transferability	Yes
Delivery Format	Online
Proctored Environment Required	Yes Within management system
Proctored Requirements	https://www.conovercompany.com/conover-online/workplace-readiness/
Test Site Options and Requirements	Classroom
Testing Environment Requirements	N/A
Exam Time Allotment	Throughout class. No time limit.
Exam Passing Requirement	Student must pass all eight modules with a score of 70 or higher.
Retakes	Yes
Student Accommodations	Yes Full Audio, Enlarge Text, Text-to-Speech, Closed Caption and Special Needs Version
Multilingual Resources*	Yes Program is built in HTML5 - Google translate
Directory Notes	None

Express Employment Professionals Career Preparedness Certification

Credential Name	Express Employment Professionals Career Preparedness Certification
Credential Vendor Info	iCEV Robin Reiling Certifications and Educational Partnerships Manager robin.reiling@icevonline.com 623-703-4581 https://www.icevonline.com
Implementation Year	Before 2022-2023
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	ED45 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of certificate OR digital badge
Credential Lead Consultant	Jim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Code and Title	ED45 Career Management
Credential as POL	ED45 POL = No
Pathway(s)	All pathways
Cost of Instructor Training	$0.00
Instructor Training Requirements	Available No formal instructor training is required. iCEV platform tutorials and guides are available on iCEV's website. Online trainings may be scheduled, and the live chat feature is available Monday - Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM CST. Educators may earn any certiﬁcation free of charge at https://www.icevonline.com/certification-promo.
Exam Voucher Expiration	After one year from purchase date
Credential Lifespan	5 years
Renewal Options	Yes Purchase new voucher to retest
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)	Career Exploration/Awareness Skills. (N/A)
Articulation	No
Sequencing	No
Employer Transferability	Yes
Delivery Format	Online
Proctored Environment Required	Yes
Proctored Requirements	https://www.icevonline.com/proctoring-guidelines
Test Site Options and Requirements	Classroom on computer with proctor. https://www.icevonline.com/proctoring-guidelines
Testing Environment Requirements	https://www.icevonline.com/proctoring-guidelines
Exam Time Allotment	2 hours
Exam Passing Requirement	70% or higher
Retakes	Yes Unlimited: however, each attempt requires a new certiﬁcation voucher.
Student Accommodations	Yes https://www.icevonline.com/accommodations
Multilingual Resources*	Yes Offered in both English and Spanish. Additional accommodations can be requested: https://www.icevonline.com/accommodations
Directory Notes	iCEV offers online comprehensive preparatory materials that prepare individuals for success on the certification exam; however, it is not required to use these materials. This preparatory content includes knowledge checks after each lesson, as well as a final review. A comprehensive study guide detailing the concepts covered within each industry standard is available for those who choose not to use the optional preparatory materials or who choose to use them in a supplementary way.

Microburst Learning Soft Skills for Success

Credential Name	Microburst Learning Soft Skills for Success
Credential Vendor Info	Microburst Learning Rebecca Bazzle 141-F Pelham Drive, Suite 136 \| Columbia, SC 29209-0601 r.bazzle@microburstlearning.com 803.719.5073 https://www.microburstlearning.com/softskills/story_html5.html?lms=1
Implementation Year	Before 2022-2023
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	ED45 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of Certificate: Soft Skills for Success
Credential Lead Consultant	Jim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Code and Title	ED45 Career Management
Credential as POL	ED45 POL = No
Pathway(s)	All pathways
Cost of Instructor Training	$1,100.00 Cost of training is per teacher. To maintain certification in subsequent years, a renewal fee of $200.00 per teacher would be required. This fee covers updates to the program content, materials, and administrative costs.
Instructor Training Requirements	Available
Exam Voucher Expiration	Student licenses are valid for one school year and can be renewed yearly.
Credential Lifespan	Lifetime
Renewal Options	N/A
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)	Career Exploration/Awareness Skills. (N/A)
Articulation	No
Sequencing	No
Employer Transferability	Yes
Delivery Format	Online
Proctored Environment Required	Yes Certification Assessments are online and proctored by the instructor.
Proctored Requirements	The proctor should be a Microburst Learning Instructor or a proctor designated by the Microburst Learning point-of-contact at the school.
Test Site Options and Requirements	Classroom setting
Testing Environment Requirements	Assessments are online and proctored by the instructor.
Exam Time Allotment	Students typically spend about 15 minutes on each of the 10 certificate assessments.
Exam Passing Requirement	Part 1 of 3 Part series (Educator Grades) Part 1: "Soft Skills for Success" certificate Item Name: "Soft Skills for Success" certificate Complete Pre-Assessment Complete 10 online lessons: Interpersonal Skills, Employment Basics, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, Flexibility and Adaptability, Productivity, Planning and Organizing, Dependability, and Initiative. Complete a minimum of one activity per soft skill category listed above. Complete and pass all 10 certification assessments with a Silver or Gold. This is equivalent to an 80% or higher. Have teacher approval that the student has shown strong soft skills behaviors.
Retakes	Yes One reset is permitted. An additional reset requires permission from a school administrator or approved point of contact.
Student Accommodations	Yes Allow use of a screen reader. Read test directions orally. Repeat test directions as needed. Ask the student to repeat directions in his or her own words. Have the student highlight key words in the directions and/or questions. Allow the student to take the assessment in an individual setting. Provide frequent breaks. Break up the assessment into several sessions. Read the assessments to the student. Allow the student to answer orally instead of write the answer. The proctor enters the answers given by the student.
Multilingual Resources*	Yes Portions of the content are available in Spanish.
Directory Notes	Certificate is awarded for successful completion of EmployABILITY Soft Skills for Job Success, 10 online lessons (Part 1 of Microburst's 3-part program) This is NOT the 3-part credential titled "EmployABILITY Soft Skills for Job Success." The "Soft Skills for Success" certificate is specifically for completion for Part 1 of 3 Part series (Educator grades). Part 1 completion ONLY awards the student the "Soft Skills for Success" certificate.

The North Carolina Office of Career and Technical Education provides multiple opportunities for students to obtain Industry-Recognized Credentials during their high school career.
Industry-recognized credentials hold immense value as they not only validate student skills and knowledge in a specific field but also serve as a powerful stepping stone toward future careers.

They provide a competitive edge in the job market, making students more attractive to potential employers and increasing their earning potential.

Moreover, industry-recognized credentials often lead to more job opportunities and pathways for advancement, helping students embark on successful and fulfilling career journeys.

Beyond the immediate benefits, these credentials instill a sense of accomplishment and confidence, motivating students to pursue higher education or dive directly into the workforce with the skills and certifications needed to excel.

Ultimately, industry-recognized credentials empower high school students to bridge the gap between education and real-world employment, setting them on a path toward a brighter and more prosperous future.

Access the NCDPI Credentials and Reporting website to submit a credential application and to view the latest Credential Attainment Report.

^ Indicates the pathway is an approved Local Course Option (LCO) pathway.

* Where multilingual exams are indicated, please be advised that the state of North Carolina adheres to general statute as follows:
G.S.§115C-81.45(a) requires classes (silent on exams) to be conducted in English "[e]xcept when a board authorizes teaching in a foreign language to comply with federal law."
Therefore, NC CTE will abide with the Accountability guidance that LEAs are not required to provide exams in other languages. If they choose to do so, it will be at local discretion.