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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5668
AN ACT REQUIRING THE OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO
ESTABLISH A MICROCREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Office of Higher Education (OHE), in
consultation with the Board of Regents for Higher Education, to
establish a pilot program by January 1, 2022, to develop a virtual
platform for state residents to earn or renew a microcredential offered
by a microcredential provider.
The bill defines a microcredential as a digital badge (i.e., an
indicator of accomplishment or skill that can be displayed, accessed,
and verified online) earned in no more than six months by completing
for-credit or noncredit coursework and demonstrating mastery of a
specific skill. A “microcredential provider” is a higher education
institution, employer in the state, professional association, or other
entity that develops and offers a microcredential.
The bill requires OHE to consult with the departments of Economic
and Community Development and Labor to identify shortages in the
state labor market and solicit the participation of microcredential
providers to offer microcredentials on the virtual platform that address
the shortages.
The bill also requires OHE to develop and distribute a survey to
people who complete a microcredential to obtain their completion
goals, employment status, and their experience with the
microcredential coursework and virtual platform.
The bill creates a “microcredential account” as a separate, non-
lapsing General Fund account to contain enrollment fees and fees from
employers who post job opportunities on the platform. 2021HB-05668-R000335-BA.DOCX
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EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
VIRTUAL PLATFORM
The bill allows OHE to contract with a third-party administrator to
develop and administer the virtual platform. The administrator must
provide this service at its lowest available rate. Under the bill, the
virtual platform must include: (1) a catalog of available
microcredentials with provider provided information, (2) online
support for all virtual platform users, and (3) a means for employers
and higher education institutions to pre-purchase microcredentials for
employee and student distribution.
The platform must also include an access portal for:
1. a microcredential provider to develop and offer
microcredentials;
2. state residents to (a) earn or renew microcredentials, (b) share
the receipt of microcredentials with employers or higher
education institutions, and (c) submit applications for job
opportunities posted on the virtual platform; and
3. employers in the state to post job opportunities that require
skills that can be demonstrated through one or more
microcredentials.
The bill requires each virtual platform user to register in OHE’s
prescribed form and manner.
MICROCREDENTIAL PROV IDER REGISTRATION
Under the bill, each microcredential provider must submit
information for each new microcredential it offers, including:
1. the microcredential name;
2. whether the microcredential is industry-recognized;
3. whether a microcredential is offered through synchronous or
asynchronous coursework; 2021HB-05668-R000335-BA.DOCX
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4. the enrollment fee, if any, provided the fee must not exceed an
OHE-established amount;
5. the expected time for completion;
6. any required perquisites, provided related work experience
must be allowed in lieu of course prerequisites whenever
possible;
7. the effective period of a microcredential if the microcredential is
for limited duration;
8. the rubric a microcredential provider uses to determine
successful demonstrated mastery of the skill related to the
microcredential; and
9. if the microcredential provider is a higher education institution,
the number of college credits earned upon completion and the
microcredential career pathway, including certificate or degree
programs where the completed credits may be applied.
Under the bill, OHE may deny access to the virtual platform to any
microcredential provider that offers one or more microcredentials that
do not meet academic or industry standards of employers and higher
education institutions. OHE must establish a process for providers to
appeal access denial.
SURVEY
Under the bill, OHE must distribute a survey to a person who has
completed a microcredential within six months of completion. The
survey must include questions about the person’s (1) goals for
completing the microcredential, (2) employment status, (3) experience
with the coursework and the virtual platform, and (4) intention to use
the virtual platform in the future to earn other microcredentials or to
seek employment.
MICROCREDENTIAL ACCO UNT
The bill creates a “microcredential account,” as a separate, non- 2021HB-05668-R000335-BA.DOCX
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lapsing General Fund account. The account must contain any money
required by law to be deposited into it.
Under the bill, employers posting job opportunities on the virtual
platform are required to submit a fee in the amount OHE establishes,
and any fee must be deposited into the account. OHE must spend fees
paid into the account (1) to compensate microcredential providers and
(2) for reasonable and necessary virtual platform administration
expenses.
REPORTING REQUIREMEN TS
The bill requires OHE, by January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter,
to submit to the Higher Education and Employment Advancement
Committee a report that includes:
1. the catalog of microcredentials available on the virtual platform,
highlighting any new microcredentials offered and ceased
during the prior year;
2. the number of registered users on the virtual platform by user
type;
3. the number of enrolled students and students who complete
each microcredential;
4. the student survey results; and
5. in the final report, OHE’s decision on whether to permanently
establish or terminate the pilot program.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 22 Nay 0 (03/22/2021)