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Additional Information for Completion Types

This page is continually updated with additional guidance and examples.

Last updated: 04/29/2026

 

 

The AHEIS Professional Skills Training Completer File includes nine (9) Completer Types, listed below in bold. These credential subclasses align with Credential Engine’s Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL) to support open, transparent credentialing ecosystems. The list hierarchy does not imply level of importance or value of the credential class.


  • Certificate

    • Certificate of Completion

    • Professional Certificate

    • Work-based Learning Certificate

      • Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate

      • Apprenticeship Certificate

      • Journeyman Certificate

      • Master Trade Certificate

  • Certification

  • Microcredential

 

In instances where students receive more than one completion type for one activity or program, the institution should determine which completion type is primary and which one is secondary and report appropriately in the Completion Type 1 and Completion Type 2 fields.

 

The following additional information regarding Completion Types may further support understanding of the classification of credentials.


  • Certificate

    • Certificate of Completion: 

      • Definition: Credential that acknowledges completion of an assignment, training or other activity

      • The credential may or may not be designed as preparation for another resource such as a credential, assessment, or learning opportunity.

      • Examples:

        • Completion of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training course is listed by multiple entities in CE

        • Kellogg Community College offers several Certificates of Completion for short term courses such as Medical Assistant, Graphic Design, and Administrative Assistant. They award a Certificate of Completion for Industrial Trades for students who have completed 25 or more credits in any combination of Industrial Trades core curricula. They award a Certificate of Completion for Basic EMT which prepares students to sit for the NREMT exam. 

        • Jackson College offers a Certificate of Completion for a professional skills training, 5-week Prototype/Welding Training

    • Professional Certificate:

      • Definition: Credential awarded for demonstrating competencies in a profession or particular occupational field, including job readiness.

      • These certificates validate competency in tasks, tools, software, or procedures within a particular industry.

      • Many industry credentials--if they are not certifications--would likely be Professional Certificates. An example would be Google certificates 

    • Work-based Learning Certificate

      • Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate

      • Apprenticeship Certificate

      • Journeyman Certificate

      • Master Trade Certificate


  • Certification

    • Definition: Time-limited, revocable, renewable credential awarded by an authoritative body for demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform specific tasks or an occupation. Students should be certified by the instructor as part of the course requirements. For ex: CPR certification.


  • Microcredential

    • Definition: Credential that addresses a subset of field-specific knowledge, skills, or competencies. Courses leading to completion are generally offered in shorter or more flexible time spans and tend to be more narrowly focused

  • The concept of a micro-credential is to be a subset of something larger. This definition remains somewhat fuzzy, but the “micro” part indicates the credential is a smaller (and should be useful) part of something bigger, and thereby a shorter time investment. A micro-credential may also be awarded upon completion of a group of courses.

  • Can be completed online or in-person, and often at your own pace.

  • Examples: