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Why Industry-Recognized Credentials Matter in Arizona CTE

Industry-recognized credentials play a vital role in Arizona’s Career and Technical Education system.
They serve multiple critical functions:

  • Validate Career Readiness: Credentials provide students with tangible proof of their skills, validated by industry standards—enhancing their employability and confidence.
  • Align Education with Workforce Needs: By integrating credentials into CTE programs, instruction stays aligned with current labor market demands, ensuring students are prepared for real-world careers.
  • Strengthen Funding Accountability:
    • Under Arizona’s Perkins V State Plan, credentials are a required performance measure for recipients of the federal Perkins V grant.
    • Arizona legislation mandates that for a CTE program to qualify for Career Technical Education District (CTED) funding, it must lead to an industry certification or licensure, where applicable.
  • Support School Performance Metrics: Within the College and Career Readiness Index (part of Arizona’s A–F School Accountability System), students who earn an industry-recognized credential contribute 0.5 to 1.0 points toward the school’s total score (out of 2.0 possible points).
  • Facilitate College and Career Transitions: Credentials help bridge the gap between high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce—supporting smoother transitions and long-term success.

CTE Industry Credentials & Community College Certificates

  • 2025-2026 CTE Industry Credentials & Community College Certificates - Excel ~ PDF

This document outlines Arizona's current CTE industry-recognized credentials and community college certificates. Use it to identify which credentials meet requirements for Perkins V, CTED funding, and the College and Career Readiness Index (A-F).  Links to CTE Industry Credential & Community College Certificate Fact Sheets can also be accessed from this document.

  • Credential Codes for Bulk Upload Template - Excel ~ PDF 

CTE Industry Credentials & Community College Certificates:
Applications and Updates

CTE Industry Credential & Community College Certificate Application Timeline

  • Application Window: February - March 13: Submit new CTE Industry Credential & Community College Certificate applications during this period.
  • Initial Review: March 13-31: ADE CTE Program Specialist will review submissions and provide feedback on incomplete applications or missing documentation. 
  • Revision Deadline: April 30: All revisions must be submitted by this date. Exceptions will not be made.
  • Update Requests: Industry Credential and Community College Certificate update requests can be submitted at any time throughout the year. | ADE CTE Program specialist will review requests within 30 days of submission.

CTE Industry Credential & Community College Certificate Application & Update Form

CTE Industry Credential Archive

Click this link to access the CTE Industry Credential information form from prior years.

Credentials Requirements pursuant to ARS 15-391 (4)

Contact:

Michelle Martinez
Director, CTE Program Services
(602) 542-4365
[email protected]