Credential Information

2026-2027 Academic Year

DRAFT CMS until August 14, 2026.

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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	On-line
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

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.