Credential Information

2026-2027 Academic Year

DRAFT CMS until August 14, 2026.

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NIMS Milling I

Credential Name	NIMS Milling I
Credential Vendor Info	The National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) 703.352.4971 https://www.nims-skills.org/contact-us
Implementation Year	Before 2022-2023
Credential Auto Collect	No
Diploma Endorsement	IM43 = Yes
Validation Artifact	Copy of certificate
Credential Lead Consultant	Jim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Code and Title	IM43 Metals Manufacturing Technology III Honors
Credential as POL	IM43 POL = Yes
Pathway(s)	Manufacturing Technologies (MANT)^ Metals Manufacturing (MEMA)
Cost of Instructor Training	N/A
Instructor Training Requirements	None
Exam Voucher Expiration	Test passes are valid for one year https://www.nims-skills.org/news/2019-03-27/837
Credential Lifespan	Lifetime https://www.nims-skills.org/faqs?q=faqs&f%5B0%5D=faq_topic%3A2&keywords=&page=2
Renewal Options	N/A
SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) Code(s)	Calibration Technologists and Technicians (17-3028) Chemical Technicians (19-4031) Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3023) Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3026) Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3027)
Articulation	No
Sequencing	Yes NIMS has stacking recommendations. https://www.nims-skills.org/stacking-recommendations
Employer Transferability	Yes The credential stays with the individual.
Delivery Format	On-line and Performance-based
Proctored Environment Required	Yes
Proctored Requirements	The proctor is any employee of integrity. The proctor cannot be the instructor or anyone with the ability to alter a student's grade. Proctors must be present during all online exams, regardless of whether the person testing is a student or an instructor. https://www.nims-skills.org/sites/default/files/media/document/Role%20%26%20Responsibility%20-%20Proctor.pdf
Test Site Options and Requirements	https://testing.nims-skills.org/portal/public/register/org
Testing Environment Requirements	Calculator, blank paper, pen or pencil, Machinery's Handbook (any edition), Shop Reference for Students and Apprentices (any edition) Computer requirements for NIMS testing: recommended browsers - Chrome, Firefox. Popup blockers must be disabled.
Exam Time Allotment	Each theory assessment has a 90-minute time limit. The performance assessment has no time limit.
Exam Passing Requirement	Passing scores vary by test and are set by Technical Work Groups that establish and pilot NIMS theory assessments. Not all questions are weighted equally. Passing percentage is calculated by dividing the sum of the points for questions answered correctly by sum of total points possible.
Retakes	Yes Between the first and second attempt - no waiting period. Subscriptions have multiple retakes until they expire. The third attempt and each following attempt must be unlocked by NIMS staff, and only after a thirty-day waiting period. The waiting period does not apply to test passes because only one retake is included.
Student Accommodations	Yes https://www.nims-skills.org/sites/default/files/media/document/Policy%20-%20Paper%20Tests%20%26%20Accommodations_0.pdf
Multilingual Resources*	No
Directory Notes	Per NIMS policy, students are allowed the Machinery's Handbook (any edition) and Shop Reference for Students and Apprentices (any edition) during online testing. See link for more info: https://www.nims-skills.org/credentials/milling-I

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.