Preliminary 2025-2030 Industry-Based Certification (IBC) List for Public School Accountability Released

IBC Evaluation Criteria Used by TEA

Texas IBC Accountability List Criteria

Under Texas Administrative Code §74.1003, and with guidance from the Commissioner of Education, TEA evaluated all proposed Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) for accountability using the following criteria:

Meets the definition of a certification

Certificates such as OSHA 30, which are not formal certifications, were disqualified.

Industry recognized and valued

The certification must be actively sought by employers and provide real value and mobility within the field.

Attainable by a high school student

Students (20 or younger) must be able to earn the certification in high school without requiring advanced postsecondary coursework, degrees, or exposure to adult content or hazardous materials.

Portable

The certification must be transferable across employers and regions (both horizontally and vertically), not limited to a specific company or area.

Capstone or end-of-program aligned

The certification must align to 50% or more of the TEKS in either a single CTE course or across a 4-year program of study, and represent end-of-program knowledge or skills.

Retakes

The credentialing assessment must not be open-book, open-reference, or allow unlimited retakes without remediation or remuneration

Available to both students and industry professionals

Certifications restricted only to high school students (and not available to working adults in the industry) were disqualified.

IBCs from the following sources were evaluated to meet the criterial set by TEA

1. The 2022-2025 IBC list (our current list)
2. Texas Workforce Commission's Inventory of Industry recognized credentials
3. The newly submitted IBCs through the open submission process
4. All state and federal agencies' licenses

Texas Workforce Commission Inventory of Recognized Credentials

State and Federal Agency Licenses

Newly submitted IBCs for Consideration

The preliminary IBC list for 2025–2030 accountability is now available for review.

As you scan the list:

• Newly added IBCs appear without an IBC number.
• More certifications may be added—certifying entities whose submissions were not initially accepted have until August 22 to revise and resubmit.

This list is not yet final and may continue to evolve. Please begin reviewing it in the context of your course planning, credential offerings, and long-term program alignment.

TEA has announced that by September, their contractor will update all Program of Study Frameworks to reflect the newly approved IBCs.



In the meantime, TEA has released a temporary crosswalk list showing which IBCs align with current Programs of Study. This resource can help guide planning and advising while the full frameworks are being revised.

You can find additional information, including a detailed FAQ, on the TEA website.

Important Updates Continue Below

These IBCs were previously included on the original list but have since been phased out, removed, or discontinued by the certifying entity, not by TEA. As a result, TEA was required to remove them from the current accountability list even if they continued to meet the evaluation criteria.

These IBCs were previous on the list and were removed because they did not meet one or more of the evaluation criteria established by TEA and the Commissioner of Education. Only certifications that fully met all criteria were included on the updated accountability list.

Important Update on IBC Accountability and Reimbursement

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced that for Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) being removed from the current list but still on the 2022–2025 approved list, there will be a one-year sunset period.

Additionally, due to recent changes under House Bill 2, beginning September 1, districts will be eligible to seek reimbursement for up to two IBCs per student, as long as the student has taken and passed both.

This expanded reimbursement option provides a strategic opportunity. Students currently in 11th grade or below whose certification is being phased out can still earn a second, approved IBC that will count toward accountability and qualify for reimbursement.



Districts are encouraged to review their current IBC offerings, assess student progress, and plan ahead to ensure alignment with upcoming accountability requirements.

TEA has officially approved new language regarding the tiering structure for Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs).

While the specific impact on accountability has not yet been finalized, the new definitions provide clearer guidance on how IBCs may be classified in the future. The updated language is now available in TAC 74.1003.

Tier 1 Certifications

A Tier 1 certification meets all criteria listed in subsection (d)(1)–(5) and:

• Is an in-demand certification directly aligned to a high-wage occupation, and
• Does not require curriculum (whether bundled or required to access the assessment), unless mandated by a Texas or federal agency, or a registered apprenticeship.

Tier 2 Certifications

A Tier 2 certification meets all criteria in subsection (d)(1)–(5) and is aligned to an occupation that is:

• Either in-demand and high-wage, or high-skill; and
• Does not require curriculum, unless required by a government agency or registered apprenticeship.

Tier 3 Certifications

A Tier 3 certification meets subsection (d)(1)–(5), but:

• Does not meet the indicators listed in Tier 1 or Tier 2, or
• Requires curriculum to access the certification assessment (except where required by an agency or apprenticeship).

Districts should begin familiarizing themselves with these tier definitions and anticipate how they may affect IBC selection and student planning. While tiering has not yet been directly tied to accountability, further guidance is expected in upcoming years as TEA determines further the implementation of the tier system.