2025-2026 Credential Information

WARNING: This information is considered DRAFT until August 22, 2025.

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.


JROTC Leadership and Employability Skills

Credential NameJROTC Leadership and Employability Skills
Credential Vendor InfoNOCTI
Heidi Speese
Director of Education
500 N. Bronson Avenue | Big Rapids, MI 49307
heidi.speese@nocti.org
800.334.6283 x225
https://www.nocti.org/
Credential Auto CollectNo
Diploma Endorsement9503 = No
Validation ArtifactCopy of certificate or digital badge
Credential Lead ConsultantAngela LeMay
angela.lemay@dpi.nc.gov
Course Number and Title9503 JROTC III
Credential as POL9503 POL = Yes
Cost of Instructor Training$0.00
Instructor Training RequirementsNone
JROTC instructors can teach the course.
Exam Voucher ExpirationExam login credentials expire on June 30 of the school year in which they are purchased.
Credential Lifespan5 years
Renewal OptionsYes
Order the assessment directly through NOCTI.
ArticulationYes
The recommendation for this credential is in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours distributed as 2 semester hours in Leadership Fundamentals and 1 semester hour in Career Planning.
SequencingNo
Employer TransferabilityYes
Delivery FormatOn-line or Paper/pencil
Proctored Environment RequiredYes
This assessment must be administered in a live, proctored environment with instructors not serving as the proctor for their own students or students in a similar educational or CTE program. Proctors do not need to be skilled in a particular occupational area, but they should:
• have knowledge regarding the administration of objective-type
assessments.
• be detail-oriented and able to monitor groups of individuals.
• be capable of speaking and reading clearly and audibly.
• be familiar with the computer lab setup and have access to local
technical support staff for assistance.
Test Site Options and RequirementsTesting is organized at the school or district level. Schools and/or districts need to create an account with NOCTI, and the tests are administered at the school. As a member of NOCTI’s Consortium of States and Territories, there are no annual fees associated with starting or maintaining a NOCTI account for any NOCTI test sites. To create an account, a Site Coordinator is designated as the primary contact for NOCTI, and a testing agreement is completed.
Testing Environment RequirementsNone
Proctored RequirementsLive, remote proctored administration is utilized.
Exam Time Allotment2 hours
May be administered in up to three multiple sessions
Exam Passing RequirementA cut score of 54%
RetakesYes
A maximum of two retakes are allowed. The first may be administered after a five-day waiting period from the original administration and the second retake may be administered after 60 days from the initial test administration.
Student AccommodationsYes
NOCTI coordinators or their designees can add accommodations prior to an online test session through the password-protected Client Services Center. Accommodations are provided as needed for paper/pencil administration, including extended time, text-to-speech (TTS) capabilities, integrated four-function calculator, enlarged graphics, and multiple-session administration. Other optional additional assistive technology tools may be used at the discretion of the testing site to meet the ADA requirements.
Multilingual Resources*No
Directory NotesStudents must be part of an approved JROTC program.