A career credential is a recognition of learning or competence earned through postsecondary education, training, or professional development that prepares individuals for employment or advancement in a specific occupation or career pathway. Career credentials may be credit-bearing or noncredit, but are unified by their focus on developing skills, knowledge, and competencies that have clear labor market value.

The term is increasingly used by accreditors and education policymakers—such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)—to describe noncredit certificates and similar programs that are intentionally designed for career preparation or advancement. By emphasizing the career relevance rather than the credit status of the credential, the term helps bridge traditional divides between academic and workforce pathways. It reinforces that high-quality noncredit credentials can offer equal or even greater value to learners and employers when aligned with industry needs, transparent outcomes, and recognized quality assurance frameworks.

The Velocity Network Foundation also uses this definition: Career credentials are verifiable records of an individual’s professional qualifications, achievements, and experiences. These credentials can include a wide range of information, such as: educational qualifications, degrees, diplomas, or certifications obtained from educational institutions; professional licenses or certifications, proof of skills or competencies certified by recognized organizations or authorities (e.g., a professional engineering license or a medical board certification); employment history, records of previous jobs, roles, and responsibilities, issued by employers or professional organizations; and skills and competencies, verified assessments or endorsements of specific skills and abilities relevant to an individual’s career.

See Topic Brief: Career Credential | Learn & Work Ecosystem Library