Revised: 3/20/2014
CAREER READINESS INDICATORS (Credentials/Certifications)
Career Readiness Indicators (CRI) are credentials/certifications made available to all students enrolled in a program where career and
technical skill proficiencies are aligned with industry-recognized standards. CRIs are not available for all programs at this time. The
credential provides proof that the student possesses the minimum skills required for entry-level employment. CRIs will be recorded on
the student’s high school transcript and testing can occur at the discretion of the career and technical education LEA depending on
student readiness, pre-assessments required.
Career Readiness Indicators are made available and offered to any career and technical education student who:

is enrolled in a sequence of courses in a career and technical education program that is aligned with a local, state, or national
third-party credentialing agency to earn a program credential, certification, or license.
The Program Teacher, Career and Technical Administrator, and local program Advisory Committee should:



review the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Career Readiness Indicators list to determine if there is an
appropriate third-party credential or license available for the respective career and technical education program.
select the CRI credential(s) that is best suited for the program, the students, and local industry needs.
or
recommend an alternative third-party Career Readiness Indicator for approval if it is determined, based on local labor market
demands, that the students and local industry will benefit from the alternate credential.*
*Recommendations for new CRIs must be submitted by the local Career and Technical Administrator to Dr. Philip C. Cleveland,
Director of Career and Technical Education/Workforce Development, Alabama State Department of Education. Approved new CRIs
will be added and published quarterly.
See CLUSTERS below for State-Approved Career Readiness Indicators that are currently available by program.
Revised: 3/20/2014
State-Approved Career Readiness Indicators
Program
7th/8th Grade Agriscience
AgriConstruction
Power Mechanics
Animal Systems
Plant Systems
Floral Design
Agribusiness Systems
Environmental and Natural
Resources Systems
Aquaculture
Program
Drafting Design Technology
Building Construction
Cabinetmaking
Carpentry
Masonry
Electrical
Welding
Plumbing
Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning
and Refrigeration
CLUSTER: AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Career Readiness Indicators
None Identified
NCCER ($2,500/program for training and curriculum – No Cost/student)
Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician (No Cost)
Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC)-Four Stroke Certification ($15.95 study guide;
$39.95/student exam)
Equipment & Engine Training Council (EETC)-Two Stroke Certification ($29.50 study guide;
$39.95/student exam)
Canine Care and Training Program (Continental Kennel Club) ($350 per teacher - $20/student
workbook; No Cost for Student Certification)
Youth Beef Quality Assurance (No Cost other than travel for teacher to training)
Youth Pork Quality Assurance Plus (No Cost other than travel for teacher to training)
Youth Humane Equine Management ($50 Registration for Teacher Training – No Cost/student
Landscape Design (LD) Permit ($75/each)
Landscape Management Technician (No Cost other than travel for teacher to 3-day training)
Setting of Landscape Plants (SLP) Permit ($75/each)
Tree Surgery (TS) Permit ($75/each)
Urban Forestry Technician (No Cost other than travel for teacher to 3-day training)
None Identified
NCCER ($2,500/program for training and curriculum – No Cost/student)
NCCER ($2,500/program for training and curriculum – No Cost/student)
Tree Surgery (TS) Permit ($75/each)
Urban Forestry Technician (No Cost other than travel for teacher to 3-day training)
Aquaculture Training and Online Learning (ATOLL): Aquaculture or Aquaponics ($50/student)
CLUSTER: ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION
Career Readiness Indicators
AutoCAD – ($54.68)
Inventor - ($54.68)
Revit – ($54.68)
Solid Works - ($50.00)
Solid Edge - ($50.00)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER Carpentry Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Carpentry Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER Construction Technology (No Cost)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER – Cabinetmaking Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Carpentry Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER Carpentry Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Carpentry Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER Masonry Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Masonry Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER Electrical Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Electrical Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER Welding Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Welding Level 1+ (No Cost)
American Welding Society (AWS) – (Cost varies with Process and Position)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER Plumbing Level 1 or Pipefitting Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER Plumbing Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER Pipefitting Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER Core (No Cost)
NCCER HVAC Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER HVAC Level 1+ (No Cost)
Air Cond, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) ICE - Residential Core ($36.00)
Revised: 3/20/2014
Program
Graphic Arts
Television Production
Advertising Design
Animation
Commercial Photography
Program
Business Management &
Administration
Program
Teaching and Training
Early Childhood Education
Administration and Professional
Support Services
Program
Finance
National Academy of Finance (NAF)
Program
Air Force JROTC
Army JROTC
Marine Corp JROTC
Naval JROTC
CLUSTER: ARTS, A/V TECHNOLOGY, AND COMMUNICATIONS
Career Readiness Indicators
PrintEd – Graphics Communication ($10.00 SkillsUSA members $20.00 non-members)
PrintEd – Digital File Preparation & Digital File Output ($10.00 SkillsUSA members, $20.00 nonmembers)
PrintEd – Offset Press Operations/Binding and Finishing ($10.00 SkillsUSA members, $20.00 nonmembers)
PrintEd – Screen Print ($10.00 SkillsUSA members, $20.00 non-members)
Certified Broadcast Technologist ($132.00)
Adobe Certified Associate ($54.61)
Adobe Photoshop 7.0 ($54.61)
Certified Internet Webmaster E-Commerce ($150.00)
Certified Internet Webmaster Enterprise Developer ($150.00)
Certified Internet Webmaster Site Designer ($150.00)
Macromedia Dreamweaver 9 Developer ($180.00)
Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Designer ($180.00)
Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (MCP + I) ($150.00)
Microsoft Certified Professional Site Building (MCP + Site Building) ($150.00)
PrintEd – Ad Design ($10.00 SkillsUSA members, $20.00 non-members)
None Identified
None Identified
CLUSTER: BUSINESS MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
Career Readiness Indicators
Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) ($54.61)
ASK Institute – Concepts of Entrepreneurship and Management ($25)
ASK Institute – Fundamental Business Concepts ($25)
IC3 ($51)
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) ($72; $86.25 includes 1 retake option)
CLUSTER: EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Career Readiness Indicators
None Identified
Child Development Associate (CDA) ($425.00 – 120 hours of curriculum content, plus 480 hours of work
experience)
None Identified
CLUSTER: FINANCE
Career Readiness Indicators
ASK Institute – Concepts of Finance ($25)
IC3 ($51)
Intuit® Quickbooks Certified User ($99.00)
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) ($72; $86.25 includes 1 retake option)
ASK Institute – Concepts of Finance ($25)
IC3 ($51)
Intuit® Quickbooks Certified User ($99.00)
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) ($72; $86.25 includes 1 retake option)
National Academy of Finance (NAF)
CLUSTER: GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Career Readiness Indicators
Air Force JROTC Certificate (No Cost)
Army JROTC Certificate (No Cost)
Marine Corp JROTC Certificate (No Cost)
Naval JROTC Certificate (No Cost)
Revised: 3/20/2014
Program
Health Explorations
Health Science
Project Lead The Way-Biomedical
Program
Hospitality & Tourism (NAF)
Restaurant and Food and Beverage
Services
Lodging
Recreation, Travel, and Tourism
Program
Food, Wellness, and Dietetics
Early Childhood Development and
Services
Family Studies and Community
Services
Consumer Services
Fashion
Interior Design
Cosmetology
Program
Network Systems and Computer
Services
CLUSTER: HEALTH SCIENCE
Career Readiness Indicators
None Identified
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) ($299.00)
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) ($105.00)
Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) ($149.00)
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) ($149.00)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) ($105.00)
Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) ($105.00)
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) ($105.00)
Certified EKG Technician (CET) ($105.00)
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) ($129.00 PTCB Exam) ($105.00 ExCPT Exam)
National Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) ($65.00)
National Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) ($70.00)
None Identified
CLUSTER: HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM
Career Readiness Indicators
None Identified
ProStart National Certificate of Achievement ($17.00)
ServSafe ($30.40)
Certification of Completion - Hospitality and Tourism Program Level 1 ($50.00)
Certification of Completion – Hospitality and Tourism Program Level 2 ($50.00)
Certified Hospitality and Tourism Professional (must hold Level 1 & 2 then apply)
Certified Guest Service Professional ($50.00)
Certified Front Desk Representative ($60.00)
ServSafe ($30.40)
Certification of Completion - Hospitality and Tourism Program Level 1 ($50.00)
Certification of Completion – Hospitality and Tourism Program Level 2 ($50.00)
Certified Hospitality and Tourism Professional (must hold Level 1 & 2 then apply)
ServSafe ($30.40)
CLUSTER: HUMAN SERVICES
Career Readiness Indicators
ServSafe ($30.40)
CDA ($425.00 – 120 hours of curriculum content, plus 480 hours of work experience)
ServSafe ($30.40)
ServSafe ($30.40)
None Identified
None Identified
None Identified
Barbering Licensure ($195.00)
Barbicide: Infection Control Certification (no cost)
Cosmetology Licensure ($195.00)
Natural Hair Styling Licensure ($195.00)
CLUSTER: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Career Readiness Indicators
C-Tech Network Cabling ($75)
Certified Network Computer Technician ($75)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) ($125)
CompTIA A+ ($183)
CompTIA Network+ ($261)
CompTIA Security+ ($284)
CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals ($103)
CompTIA Linux+ Powered by LPI ($178)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Networking Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Security Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Windows Development Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Windows Operating System Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Windows Server Admin Fundamentals ($25)
Revised: 3/20/2014
Program
Database Design
Programming and Software
Development
Program
CLUSTER: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (continued)
Career Readiness Indicators
Certified Internet Web (CIW) - Database Design Specialist ($150)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Database Administration Fundamentals ($25)
Oracle Certified Associate, MySQL ($245)
Certified Internet Web (CIW) - JavaScript Specialist ($150)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Applications Developer, Solutions Developer
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Gaming Development Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ HTML5 Application Development Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Mobile Development Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ .Net Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Software Development Fundamentals ($25)
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) ‐ Web Development Fundamentals ($25)
Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) - Java Programmer ($245)
CLUSTER: LAW, PUBLIC SAFETY, CORRECTIONS & SECURITY
Career Readiness Indicators
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) ($105.00)
Certified EKG Technician (CET) ($105.00)
*National Fire Protection Agency – Standard NFPA 1001 (No Cost)
*Note:

Emergency and Fire Management
Services
Law Enforcement
Legal Services
Program
Industrial Systems and Maintenance
Precision Machining
Electronics
Standard NFPA 1001 is a pre-requisite to entrance into the 5 week bridge course at the
Alabama Fire College to earn: Standard – NFPA 1001 and 1002 (Alabama standard for a paid
fire fighter)

Standard NFPA 1001 will allow a person to be hired up to a period of one year as a paid Fire
Fighter; however, the 5 week bridge course must be successfully completed (NFPA 1001 and
1002) to remain employed

160 hour course embedded into the Fire and Emergency Services curriculum

Written examination and practical examination (must be 18 to take practical examination)

Minimal training standard for a structured fire fighter
None Identified
None Identified
CLUSTER: MANUFACTURING
Career Readiness Indicators
NCCER – Core (No Cost)
NCCER – Industrial Maintenance – E & I Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER – Industrial Maintenance - Mechanic Level 1 (No Cost)
NCCER – Industrial Maintenance – E & I Level 1+ (No Cost)
NCCER - Industrial Maintenance - Mechanic Level 1+ (No Cost)
NIMS – Level 1 Registration ($40.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Measurement, Materials & Safety ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Job Planning, Benchwork & Layout ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Manual Milling Skills I ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Turning Operations: Turning Between Centers ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Turning Operations: Turning Chucking Skills ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Grinding Skills I ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 Drill Press Skills I ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 CNC Turning: Programming Setup & Operations ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 CNC Milling: Programming Setup & Operations ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 CNC Turning: Operations ($28.00)
NIMS – Level 1 CNC Milling: Operations ($28.00)
Electronics Technicians Association - Student Electronics Technician ($30.00)
Electronics Technicians Association - Basic DC ($25.00)
Electronics Technicians Association - Basic AC ($25.00)
Electronics Technicians Association - Basic Analog ($25.00)
Electronics Technicians Association - Basic Digital ($25.00)
Electronics Technicians Association - Comprehensive ($25.00)
NCCER – Electronic Systems Technician, Electronics (No Cost)
Revised: 3/20/2014
CLUSTER: MARKETING, SALES & SERVICE
Career Readiness Indicators
Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) ($54.61)
ASK Institute – Concepts of Entrepreneurship and Management ($25)
ASK Institute – Fundamental Marketing Concepts ($25)
IC3 ($51)
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) ($72; $86.25 includes 1 retake option)
National Retail Federation – National Professional Certification in Customer Service ($50)
National Retail Federation – National Professional Certification in Sales ($50)
Program
Marketing, Sales & Service
Program
Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Career Cluster Technologies
Project Lead the Way-Engineering
Project Lead The Way-Middle School
Engineering
Program
Automotive Services
Aviation Technology
Collision Repair
Diesel Technology
Marine Technology
Power Equipment
CLUSTER: STEM
Career Readiness Indicators
Autodesk Inventor Certified User Exam ($49.00 for PLTW students with a voucher)
None Identified
None Identified
None Identified
None Identified
CLUSTER: TRANSPORTATION, DISTRIBUTION AND LOGISTICS
Career Readiness Indicators
ASE Student Maintenance and Light Repair ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Suspension and Steering ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Brakes ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Electrical/Electronic Systems ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Engine Performance ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Engine Repair ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Automatic Transmission/Transaxle ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Manual Drive Train and Axles ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Heating and Air Conditioning ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
None Identified
ASE Student Painting and Refinishing ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Structural Analysis and Damage Repair ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Non-structural Analysis and Damage Repair ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per
year)
ASE Student Mechanical and Electrical ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Diesel Engines ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Electrical/Electronic Systems ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Brakes ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
ASE Student Steering & Suspension ($29.95 per student for all ASE Student tests per year)
None Identified
Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician (No Cost)
Equipment Engine Training Council Two Stroke Engine ($39.00 per exam)
Equipment Engine Training Council Four Stroke Engine ($39.00 per exam)
Equipment Engine Training Council Compact Diesel Engine ($39.00 per exam)
Equipment Engine Training Council OPE Electrical ($39.00 per exam)
Equipment Engine Training Council Driveline/Hydraulics ($39.00 per exam)
Equipment Engine Training Council Generator ($39.00 per exam)