2023-2024 Credential Information

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.

Footnotes:
^ 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.


AWS SENSE Entry Welder Program - Thermal Cutting Process

Credential NameAWS SENSE Entry Welder Program - Thermal Cutting Process
Credential Vendor InfoAmerican Welding Society (AWS) SENSE
sense@aws.org
800.443.9353 or 305.443.9353 ext. 225
https://www.senseonline.org
When emailing, include first and last name, organization's name, and whether a student or an instructor is inquiring.
Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma EndorsementYes
Validation ArtifactAWS SENSE Entry Welder Program - Thermal Cutting Process Reporting and Accountability Verification Form
Credential Lead ConsultantJim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and TitleIM61 Welding Technology I
Credential as POLIM61 POL = No
Pathway(s)^Welding (WELD)
Cost of Instructor TrainingN/A
Instructor Training RequirementsAvailable
Exam Voucher ExpirationN/A
Credential Lifespan1.3.2.1 Continuation of Full Completers in the AWS SENSE certificate database. AWS QC10, Clause 11, indicates an individual with full completion as a Level 1-Entry Welder status shall remain in the AWS SENSE certificate database for three (3) years, after which time a permanent record shall be archived.
https://www.senseonline.org/pluginfile.php/198640/mod_folder/content/0/EG20-2017_FinalPrint.pdf?forcedownload=1
Renewal OptionsN/A
No renewal, see program details at:
https://www.senseonline.org/local/staticpage/view.php?page=program-faqs
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121)
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (51-4122)
ArticulationNo
SequencingYes
AWS SENSE has Level I and Level II. It then would go to Certified Welder.
Employer TransferabilityYes
The credential stays with the employee.
Delivery FormatOn-line and Performance-based
Proctored Environment RequiredYes
Test Site Options and RequirementsThe SENSE Program requires a one-time registration fee to be accompanied with the registration form. The SENSE registration fee varies depending on the level of implementation. There is no registration renewal fee. The student administrative fee for each level is paid through the school. Each SENSE participating location and campus must be registered and paid for separately.

AWS SENSE Application, page 3, https://s3.amazonaws.com/docs.senseonline.org/SENSE-Application_202108.pdf
Testing Environment RequirementsN/A
Proctored RequirementsAn individual employed by a SENSE Training Organization who is not engaged in the active training of trainees and who is responsible for administering all knowledge-based SENSE assessments.

AWS SENSE Application, page 4, https://s3.amazonaws.com/docs.senseonline.org/SENSE-Application_202108.pdf
Exam Time AllotmentVaries. Student takes knowledge and performance assessments througout the semester.
Exam Passing Requirement100% on safety module and 75% on other modules, plus pass performance test
RetakesYes
6.1.6 Trainees shall be allowed up to three (3) attempts to pass a knowledge exam.
If a trainee fails to achieve a passing grade after three (3) attempts, they shall be retrained in that area. (AWS QC10:2017, page 5)
Student AccommodationsYes
The SENSE Program allows instructors to extend all exams by the number of hours as prescribed in an IEP or 504 plan for each student.
Multilingual Resources*No
Directory NotesFor workmanship samples and Performance Qualifications Tests, the instructor is allowed to be the inspector. For knowledge-based assessments an Assessment Coordinator is required.
https://www.senseonline.org


OSHA 10-hour Construction Safety and Health

Credential NameOSHA 10-hour Construction Safety and Health
Credential Vendor InfoCareerSafe
Robin Reiling
Account Manager
Robin.Reiling@careersafeonline.com
623.703.4581
OSHA Credentials can be awarded by any OSHA-Authorized Training Provider.
Find a Trainer:
https://www.osha.gov/training/outreach/find-a-trainer
Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma EndorsementYes
Validation ArtifactCopy of Certificate OR Pocket Card
Credential Lead ConsultantNolan Fahrer nolan.fahrer@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and TitleIC00 Construction Core
IL80 Construction Technology I (LCO)
IM21 Woodworking I
IM61 Welding Technology I
Credential as POLIC00 POL = No
IL80 POL = No
IM21 POL = No
IM61 POL = No
Pathway(s)^Carpentry (CARP)
Construction Technologies (COTE)^
Electrical Trades (ELTR)
HVAC/R (HVAC)
Masonry (MASO)
Plumbing (PLUM)
Skilled Trades (SKTR)^
Solar Photovoltaics (SOLR)
Welding (WELD)
Woodworking (WOWO)
Cost of Instructor TrainingN/A
Instructor Training RequirementsNone
Exam Voucher ExpirationFor an enrolled student: 180 days
Unused seat: 1 year
Credential LifespanLifetime
The recommendation is to take OSHA safety training every 4 to 5 years to stay updated with the latest safety regulations and industry practices. For complete training guidelines, the recommendation is for workers to consult with local regulatory authorities.
Renewal OptionsN/A
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121)
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (51-4122)
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters (51-7011)
Carpenters (47-2031)
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3022)
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)
Patternmakers, Wood (51-7032)
ArticulationNo
SequencingNo
Employer TransferabilityYes
The credential stays with the employee.
Delivery FormatOn-line
Proctored Environment RequiredNo
Test Site Options and RequirementsComputer with website access.
Testing Environment RequirementsN/A
Proctored RequirementsN/A
Exam Time AllotmentEach topic contains a brief assessment, which must be successfully completed before the topic is marked complete. Once all topics have been viewed and the corresponding assessments are passed, there is a comprehensive final assessment. Students must complete all required course material including the course survey within six months to receive the credential.
Exam Passing Requirement70% or higher on the quizzes and final exam. The online report field "completed" indicates passing.
RetakesYes
Retakes are available within six months of enrollment. Students must pass the final assessment with a 70% score or higher within three (3) attempts. If a student does not pass, he or she will be given one (1) course reset and must start from the beginning.
Student AccommodationsYes
Optional read aloud and captions are available for each course. All requirements of an IEP can be accommodated as written in the plan.
Multilingual Resources*Yes
Spanish resources are available for OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry certification.
https://campus.careersafeonline.com/wbtClass_info.k2?wbtClassID=483
Directory NotesNone


S/P2 Welding Safety and Pollution Prevention

Credential NameS/P2 Welding Safety and Pollution Prevention
Credential Vendor InfoS/P2
info@sp2.org
888.241.8332
Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma EndorsementYes
Validation ArtifactCopy of Certificate
Credential Lead ConsultantJim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and TitleIM61 Welding Technology I
Credential as POLIM61 POL = No
Pathway(s)^Welding (WELD)
Cost of Instructor TrainingN/A
Instructor Training RequirementsNone
Exam Voucher ExpirationYearly site license
Credential Lifespan1 year
Renewal OptionsYes
The federal government requires annual safety training for employees in high-hazard industries. S/P2 training is designed to be taken on an annual basis to get students and workers in the habit of taking annual training, as well as protecting themselves and others in the workplace.
https://sp2.org/training-faq
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (51-4121)
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (51-4122)
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters (51-7011)
Carpenters (47-2031)
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3022)
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (47-1011)
Patternmakers, Wood (51-7032)
ArticulationNo
SequencingNo
Employer TransferabilityYes
The credential stays with the individual.
Delivery FormatOn-line
Proctored Environment RequiredNo
Test Site Options and RequirementsAny school can offer.
Testing Environment RequirementsInternet access
Proctored RequirementsN/A
Exam Time Allotment10 hours
Exam Passing RequirementTeachers can control test settings for students.

Check the box labeled "Require users to complete ALL quizzes in a course before completing the final exam," then choose to:
1 - Change the passing score for all quizzes and exams to either 80%, 90% or 100%
2 - Change the maximum number of attempts for quizzes and exams to anywhere from 1 to 5 attempts
RetakesYes
The instructor can set 1 to 5 attempts, see:
https://sp2.org/s-p2-how-to-september/
Student AccommodationsNo
Multilingual Resources*No
Directory NotesS/P2 Customizable Report under the Admin tab of the teacher's login. The report should show student's name, ID number, group name, percentage score, and pass/fail.
https://sp2.org/welding-schools