Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 24-0628.02 Anna Petrini x5497
SENATE BILL 24-143
Senate Committees House Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS , AND, IN CONNECTION101
THEREWITH, INTEGRATING FRAMEWORKS FOR NONDEGREE102
CREDENTIAL EVALUATION AND CLASSIFICATION INTO STATE103
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS AND ALIGNING104
STACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATH WAYS AND APPRENTICESHIP105
PROGRAMS WITH INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION ST ANDARDS .106
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
Current law requires the department of higher education
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Coleman and Zenzinger,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Herod,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. (department) and other higher education institutions to develop a
framework for evaluating the quality of nondegree credentials. The bill
formally recognizes the resulting quality and in-demand nondegree
credentials framework (quality nondegree credentials framework) as the
primary tool for assessing the quality of nondegree credentials offered in
the state.
The bill requires the department to collaborate with various
agencies to ensure the effective integration of the quality nondegree
credentials framework within the state's education and workforce systems
and to evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized
programs to ensure the credentials meet the framework's quality
standards. At least annually, the department shall supply a list of
nondegree credential programs that meet the framework's quality
standards for inclusion in the Colorado talent report and a credential
registry endorsed by the state.
The department shall engage state agencies, educational
institutions, international organizations, and other stakeholders to study
and make recommendations about the adoption of the international
standard classification of education (ISCED) as the state's standard
framework for classifying nondegree credentials and ISCED's wider
application in the state's education and workforce systems. The
recommendations must include a process for assigning ISCED
equivalency levels to nondegree credentials included in stackable
credential pathways and apprenticeship programs. The bill requires the
department to report its findings and recommendations on or before
January 1, 2025.
Current law requires the department to create stackable credential
pathways in growing industries. The bill requires the department to align
the stackable credential pathways with appropriate ISCED equivalency
levels on or before January 1, 2025.
The bill requires the office of future of work to coordinate with
various agencies to determine ISCED equivalency levels for each
apprenticeship program registered on and after January 1, 2025. The
office of future of work shall then determine ISCED equivalency levels
for each apprenticeship program registered before January 1, 2025.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) The strength and prosperity of Colorado's economy hinges on4
economic mobility and educational opportunities for all Coloradans and5
SB24-143-2- on the cultivation of a skilled workforce. According to the 2022 Colorado1
talent pipeline report, 91.4 percent of tier one top jobs and 70.4 percent2
of tier two top jobs in the state required some form of postsecondary3
education beyond high school, including traditional academic degrees, as4
well as industry certifications, badges, sub-baccalaureate certificates,5
professional licenses, and apprenticeships.6
(b) Traditional undergraduate and graduate degree programs are7
the foundation of our postsecondary training system. However, they8
cannot fully meet Colorado's evolving skilled workforce needs.9
Nondegree credentials provide a valuable and complementary approach10
to bridging the skills gap. They offer learners a practical and expedited11
pathway to acquire the precise skills that employers urgently require to12
meet their immediate workforce needs.13
(c) In 2021, Credential Engine reported 967,734 unique secondary14
and postsecondary education credentials in the United States. Existing15
accreditation and regulation systems provide quality assurance for degree16
programs but, with the exception of sub-baccalaureate certifications, do17
not take a sufficiently holistic approach to quality assurance for18
nondegree credentials. Existing systems fail to validate the legitimacy of19
nondegree credentials, specify how they relate to degree programs, and20
fail to indicate whether they develop in-demand skills that lead to good21
jobs. This places a considerable burden on both learners and employers22
who lack the time, expertise, and resources to verify the legitimacy and23
quality of these credentials. As a result, employers and learners continue24
to rely heavily on traditional degrees while quality nondegree credentials25
remain underused and undervalued.26
(d) To address this need, Colorado requires a system that brings27
SB24-143
-3- quality assurance, clarity, and order to the complex landscape of both1
nondegree and traditional degree credentials by validating high-quality2
credentials and indicating the level of training or skill mastery they3
deliver; and4
(e) With the help of a quality assurance framework and an5
internationally recognized standard classification system, Colorado6
employers can more easily assess candidate qualifications and skill7
profiles and align their hiring practices and policies with proper8
recognition of nondegree credentials. Knowing their chosen program9
carries validation, legitimacy, and value in the labor market empowers10
Colorado learners to make informed decisions about their careers.11
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the12
implementation of a quality nondegree credentials framework and a13
standard classification system is an essential step toward an equitable14
economy, economic mobility, workforce development, and clarity in15
educational and training attainment.16
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-5-145.8 as17
follows:18
23-5-145.8. Credential quality standards - report - definitions.19
(1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE20
REQUIRES:21
(a) "A
PPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION " MEANS A22
CERTIFICATE AWARDED TO AN APPRENTICE IN RECOGNITION OF THE23
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM .24
(b) "C
OLORADO TALENT REPORT " MEANS THE REPORT PREPARED25
PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-46.3-103.26
(c) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER27
SB24-143
-4- EDUCATION CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-1-114.1
(d) "I
NDUSTRY CERTIFICATION" MEANS A CREDENTIAL AWARDED2
BY AN INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED THIRD PARTY OR INDUSTRY -GOVERNING3
BOARD BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL DEMONSTRATING BY ASSESSMENT THAT4
THE INDIVIDUAL HAS ACQUIRED THE DESIGNATED KNOWLEDGE , SKILLS,5
AND ABILITIES RELATED TO A SPECIFIC OCCUPATION OR SKILL . INDUSTRY6
CERTIFICATIONS MAY BE TIME -LIMITED DEPENDENT UPON THE7
OCCUPATION OR INDUSTRY.8
(e) "I
NTERNATIONAL STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION "9
OR "ISCED" MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR ORGANIZING10
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT APPLIES UNIFORM AND11
INTERNATIONALLY AGREED -UPON CLASSIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE12
COMPARISONS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS13
COUNTRIES.14
(f) "N
ONDEGREE CREDENTIAL " MEANS A POSTSECONDARY15
CERTIFICATE, APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION ,16
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, OR INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION.17
(g) "P
OSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATE " MEANS A CREDENTIAL18
AWARDED BY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AT AN19
UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL BASED ON COMPLETION OF ALL REQUIREMENTS20
FOR A PROGRAM OF STUDY , INCLUDING COURSEWORK AND EXAMS .21
P
OSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATES ARE NOT TIME -LIMITED AND DO NOT22
REQUIRE RENEWAL. "POSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATE " DOES NOT INCLUDE23
A DEGREE OR A CREDENTIAL AWARDED BY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER24
EDUCATION AFTER COMPLETION OF A BACHELOR 'S DEGREE IN THE SAME25
PATHWAY.26
(h) "Q
UALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK " MEANS27
SB24-143
-5- THE QUALITY AND IN-DEMAND NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK1
DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (2) TO ASSESS2
CERTIFICATIONS, OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES, APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES3
OF COMPLETION, NON-CREDIT CERTIFICATES, MICRO-CREDENTIALS, AND4
SUB-BACCALAUREATE FOR -CREDIT CERTIFICATES AND ESTABLISHES A5
RUBRIC FOR EVALUATING CREDENTIALS IN STATE-RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS.6
(i) "S
TACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATHWAY " MEANS A SEQUENCE OF7
DEGREE OR NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS EARNED THR OUGH VARIOUS MEANS ,8
INCLUDING THROUGH ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING , THAT MAY BE9
ACCUMULATED OVER TIME AND MOVE AN INDIVIDUAL ALONG A CAREER10
PATHWAY OR UP A CAREER LADDER .11
(j) "S
TATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION" OR "INSTITUTION"12
HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 23-1-135.13
(2) (a) T
HE STATE OF COLORADO FORMALLY RECOGNIZES THE14
QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK DEVELOPED PURSUANT15
TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (2) AS THE PRIMARY TOOL FOR EVALUATING AND16
ENSURING THE QUALITY OF NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS OFFERED WITHIN17
THE STATE.18
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COLORADO19
WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL , THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ,20
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , AND THE COLORADO21
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT , SHALL ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE22
INTEGRATION OF THE QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK23
WITHIN THE STATE'S EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS .24
(c) A
T LEAST ANNUALLY, THE DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION25
WITH THE COLORADO WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL , THE26
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND27
SB24-143
-6- EMPLOYMENT, AND THE COLORADO OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ,1
SHALL EVALUATE NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS OFFERED THROUGH2
STATE-RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THE CREDENTIALS MEET THE3
QUALITY STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY NONDEGREE4
CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK . STATE-RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS THAT ARE5
REQUIRED TO ENSURE NONDEGREE CREDENTIAL OFFERINGS MEET THE6
QUALITY STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY NONDEGREE7
CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK INCLUDE , BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:8
(I) T
HE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS PROGRAM CREATED9
PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-54-138; AND10
(II) T
HE STACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS IDENTIFIED11
PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (3).12
(d) A
T LEAST ANNUALLY, THE DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION13
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND14
EMPLOYMENT, AND THE COLORADO OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ,15
SHALL SUPPLY THE STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WITH A16
LIST OF QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT MEET THE17
QUALITY STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY NONDEGREE18
CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK FOR INCLUSION IN THE COLORADO TALENT19
REPORT PRODUCED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-46.3-103 (3)(a) AND IN A20
CREDENTIAL REGISTRY ENDORSED BY THE STATE .21
(3) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENGAGE STATE AGENCIES ,22
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS , INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS , AND23
OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS24
CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF ISCED AS THE STATE'S STANDARD25
FRAMEWORK FOR CLASSIFYING NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS AND ISCED'S26
WIDER APPLICATION IN THE STATE 'S EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE27
SB24-143
-7- SYSTEMS. ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL1
COMPLETE A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO INFORM A REPORT .2
T
HE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PROCESS MUST :3
(I) S
OLICIT INPUT FROM EMPLOYERS AND THEIR INDUSTRY OR4
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS;5
(II) S
OLICIT INPUT FROM STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER6
EDUCATION;7
(III) S
OLICIT INPUT FROM THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR8
AND EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF FUTURE OF WORK AND THE9
STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY, THE STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT10
COUNCIL, AND THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDENT11
PATHWAYS UNIT; AND12
(IV) L
EVERAGE THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS OF THE ISCED13
COMMUNITY.14
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL STUDY AND MAKE15
RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING HOW ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS16
MAY BE:17
(I) I
MPLEMENTED AS THE STATE 'S STANDARD FRAMEWORK FOR18
ORGANIZING AND CLASSIFYING NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS ;19
(II) A
SSIGNED TO CREDENTIALS OR PACKAGES OF CREDENTIALS20
IDENTIFIED AND APPROVED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (3) AND (4);21
(III) A
SSIGNED TO REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS ;22
(IV) W
IDELY ADOPTED BY STAKEHOLDERS TO FACILITATE23
ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS AND ASSOCIATED24
QUALIFICATIONS; AND25
(V) E
FFECTIVELY INTEGRATED WITHIN THE STATE 'S EDUCATION26
AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS .27
SB24-143
-8- (c) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL1
REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EDUCATION2
COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , OR ANY3
SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES.4
(d) O
N OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025, USING THE PROCESS5
RECOMMENDED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION, THE6
DEPARTMENT SHALL ASSIGN ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS TO THE7
CREDENTIALS INCLUDED IN THE STACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS8
IDENTIFIED AND APPROVED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (3) AND (4).9
T
HE ISCED ALIGNMENT PROCESS MUST CONSIDER CREDENTIAL PROGRAM10
RIGOR AND RELEVANCE.11
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 10 to article12
83 of title 8 as follows:13
PART 1014
APPRENTICESHIP INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS15
8-83-1001. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART 10, UNLESS THE16
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :17
(1) "I
NTERNATIONAL STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION "18
OR "ISCED" MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR ORGANIZING19
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT APPLIES UNIFORM AND20
INTERNATIONALLY AGREED -UPON CLASSIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE21
COMPARISONS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS22
COUNTRIES.23
(2) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE OFFICE OF FUTURE OF WORK CREATED IN24
SECTION 8-15.8-103.25
8-83-1002. Apprenticeship program alignment with26
international standards. (1) B
EGINNING MARCH 1, 2025, THE OFFICE, IN27
SB24-143
-9- COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE DEPARTMENT1
OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION2
DIVISION WITHIN THE COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM , SHALL3
COLLABORATE WITH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY TO DETERMINE4
ISCED
EQUIVALENCY LEVELS FOR EACH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM5
REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2025. IN MAKING ISCED6
EQUIVALENCY LEVEL DETERMINATIONS , THE OFFICE SHALL:7
(a) A
PPLY THE PROCESS RECOMMENDED PURSUANT TO SECTION8
23-5-145.8 (3)(b);
AND9
(b) R
EQUIRE POSTING OF THE DETERMINED ISCED LEVEL10
ALONGSIDE THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ON ALL ISSUED11
APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION AND IN ALL PUBLIC12
LISTINGS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE ELIGIBLE TRAINING13
PROVIDER LISTS DISSEMINATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND14
EMPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-225 (1)(c) AND THE COLORADO15
STATE APPRENTICESHIP RESOURCE DIRECTORY CREATED PURSUANT TO16
SECTION 8-83-308.17
(2) O
N OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, THE OFFICE SHALL18
DETERMINE ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS FOR EACH APPRENTICESHIP19
PROGRAM REGISTERED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025. AFTER MAKING ISCED20
EQUIVALENCY LEVEL DETERMINATIONS , THE OFFICE SHALL REQUIRE21
POSTING OF THE DETERMINED ISCED LEVEL ALONGSIDE THE22
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ON ALL ISSU ED APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES23
OF COMPLETION AND IN ALL PUBLIC LISTINGS , INCLUDING, BUT NOT24
LIMITED TO, THE ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROVIDER LISTS DISSEMINATED BY25
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION26
8-83-225 (1)(c)
AND THE COLORADO STATE APPRENTICESHIP RESOURCE27
SB24-143
-10- DIRECTORY CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-308.1
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-138, amend2
(3)(a) as follows:3
22-54-138. Career development success program - created -4
funding - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.5
(3) (a) On or before August 15, 2016, and on or before July 1 each year6
thereafter, the work force development council, in collaboration with the7
department of higher education, the department of education, the8
department of labor and employment, the Colorado community college9
system, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall publish10
on the council's website a list of the qualified industry-credential11
programs and qualified workplace training programs
THAT MEET THE12
QUALITY STANDARDS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.8 (2)(c)13
for that school year. At least annually, the council and its partners shall14
identify and review the qualified industry-credential programs and15
qualified workplace training programs by identifying the jobs included in16
the Colorado talent report, prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103, with17
the greatest regional and state demand, including high-skill, high-wage18
jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation with relevant19
industries, identifying the programs that have labor market value and are20
likely to lead to the identified jobs. Any programs that the council21
determines do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from22
the council's website.23
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.6, add (4.5)24
as follows:25
23-5-145.6. Opportunities for credential attainment - fund -26
report - definitions - repeal. (4.5) T
HE STACKABLE CREDENTIAL27
SB24-143
-11- PATHWAYS MUST MEET THE QUALITY STANDARDS REQUIRED PURS UANT TO1
SECTION 23-5-145.8 (2)(c).2
SECTION 6. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act3
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the4
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except5
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V6
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this7
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take8
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in9
November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the10
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.11
SB24-143
-12-