What is a Credential?

Home > Courses > What is a Credential?

For purposes of Complete 2021, industry certifications must meet the following are parameters:

  • Industry-recognized:  Credentials shall include technical and occupational skills identified as necessary for performing functions of an occupation based on standards developed or endorsed by employers.
  • Portable:  Credentials shall be recognized by multiple employers; educational institutions; and across geographic areas where appropriate.
  • Credentials shall be competency-based.
  • 3rd Party Validated:  Credentials shall have a process for determining their validity and relevance in the workplace, and a process in place for improvement.
  • Credentials should be reviewed for articulated credit.
  • Stackable: Where possible, credentials should be part of a career pathways framework and include stackable credentials that lead to a high-level industry-recognized credential or a postsecondary degree.

Industry Credentials available at Laurel Ridge Community College

Credential Awarding Entity Cluster Credit/NonCredit
Heavy Equipment Operations - Level 2 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) American Society of Administrative Professionals Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Medication Aide Virginia Board of Nursing Health Science Non Credit
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) American Payroll Association (APA) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
CompTIA IT Fundamentals CompTIA Information Technology Non Credit
Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC) American Payroll Association (APA) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
OSHA 10 Construction Occupational Safety & Health Administration Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Apprentice Medical Scribe Professional (AMSP) American Healthcare Documentation Professionals Group Health Science Non Credit
Oracle Certified Professional, Java Programmer SE8 Oracle Information Technology Non Credit
QuickBooks Certification Intuit Finance Non Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word 2016 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Excel 2016 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Heavy Equipment Operations - Level 1 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Highway/Heavy Construction National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Work Zone Flagger Certification Virginia Department of Transportation Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Licensed Optician Virginia State Board of Opticians Health Science Non Credit
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Intermediate Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Health Science Credit
Dealer-Operator License Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Driver Education Instructor Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Credit
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Teaching License Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Education and Training Non Credit
Pharmacy Technician Virginia Board of Pharmacy Health Science Non Credit
Practical Nurse Virginia Board of Nursing Health Science Credit
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Virginia Board of Nursing Health Science Credit
Registered Nurse Virginia Board of Nursing Health Science Credit
Dental Hygienist License Virginia Board of Dentistry Health Science Credit
HVAC Tradesman License Renewal Virginia Board of Contractors Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Contractor's License Virginia Board of Contractors Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Gas Fitter Tradesman License Renewal Virginia Board of Contractors Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Electrical Master Virginia Board of Contractors Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Electrical Tradesman License Renewal Virginia Board of Contractors Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Electrical Journeyman Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Plumbing Tradesman License Renewal Virginia Board of Contractors Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Cosmetologist Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology Human Services Non Credit
Nail Technician Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology Human Services Non Credit
LEED Green Associate Certification United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Project Management Institute (PMI) Business, Management and Administration Credit
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Project Management Institute (PMI) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Office Proficiency Assessment and Certification (OPAC) Office Proficiency Assessment and Certification (OPAC) Business, Management and Administration Credit
OSHA 10 Transmission and Distribution Occupational Safety & Health Administration Architecture and Construction Non Credit
OSHA Confined Space Safety Occupational Safety & Health Administration Architecture and Construction Non Credit
OSHA 30 General Industry Occupational Safety & Health Administration Architecture and Construction Non Credit
OSHA 10 General Industry Occupational Safety & Health Administration Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Photovoltaic - Entry Level North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
ServSafe Food Handler National Restaurant Association Hospitality and Tourism Non Credit
Paramedic National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Health Science Credit
Pharmacy Technician National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
Clinical Medical Assistant National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
Phlebotomy Technician National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
EKG Technician National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Health Science Non Credit
Mental Health First Aid USA National Council for Behavioral Health Health Science Non Credit
Electrical - Level 4 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Core - Introductory Craft Skills National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Electrical - Level 1 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Electrical - Level 2 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Electrical - Level 3 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
HVAC - Level 4 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
HVAC - Level 3 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
HVAC - Level 2 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
HVAC - Level 1 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Plumbing - Level 4 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Plumbing - Level 3 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Plumbing - Level 2 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Plumbing - Level 1 National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Construction Project Management National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Certified Surgical Technologist National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) Health Science Credit
Administrative Legal Specialist (ALS) National Association of Legal Professionals (NALS) Business, Management and Administration Credit
Certified Paralegal National Association of Legal Assistants Law, Public Safety, Correction and Security Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Excel Expert 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Access 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Access 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word Expert 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word Expert 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Outlook 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Excel 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Credit
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Excel 2010 Microsoft Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Manufacturing Technician Level 1 Manufacturing Skills Institute Manufacturing Non Credit
Certified IPC Application Specialist (CIS) IPC-Association Connecting Electronics Industries Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Central Service Technician International Association of Healthcare Central Services Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) Health Science Credit
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Business, Management and Administration Credit
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Google Certified Educator Level 2 Google Education and Training Non Credit
Google Certified Educator Level 1 Google Education and Training Non Credit
Two-Stroke Engine Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Four-Stroke Engine Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Compact Diesel Engine Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Electrical Systems Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Mobile Generators Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Driveline/Hydraulics Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Reel Technology Certification Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Non Credit
Lead Safe Inspector Certification Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Manufacturing Non Credit
HVAC 608 Certification Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Lead Safe RRP Certification Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Manufacturing Non Credit
Fiber Optics Installer Certification Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) International Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Basic Law Enforcement Professional Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Law, Public Safety, Correction and Security Non Credit
CompTIA Linux+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Credit
CompTIA A+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Credit
CompTIA A+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Non Credit
CompTIA Security+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Credit
CompTIA Security+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Non Credit
CompTIA Network+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Credit
CompTIA Network+ Certification CompTIA Information Technology Non Credit
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Cisco Information Technology Non Credit
Certified Fund Raising Executive CFRE International Business, Management and Administration Non Credit
Energy Auditor Building Performance Institute (BPI) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Building Analyst Building Performance Institute (BPI) Architecture and Construction Non Credit
Wastewater Works Operator Board for Waterworks and Wastewaterworks Operators and On-Site Sewage System Professionals Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Non Credit
Certified Welding Fabricator (CWF) American Welding Society (AWS) Manufacturing Non Credit
Certified Welder (CW) American Welding Society (AWS) Manufacturing Non Credit
Phlebotomy Technician American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Health Science Credit
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider American Red Cross Health Science Non Credit
Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider American Heart Association Health Science Credit
HeartSaver First Aid/CPR/AED American Heart Association Health Science Non Credit
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) Health Science Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Photoshop CS4 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Non Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Flash CS5 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Non Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Flash CS4 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Non Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Dreamweaver CS5 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Non Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Dreamweaver CS4 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Non Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Dreamweaver CS3 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Non Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Indesign Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Premiere CS5 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Credit
Adobe Certified Associate - Photoshop CS5 Adobe Systems Incorporated Information Technology Credit
Credential Awarding Entity Cluster Credit/NonCredit