Industry Recognized Credentials for Carpentry

Essential Safety IRC(s)

All programs must (1) prepare students to take and (2) provide an opportunity to achieve Essential credentials to all students in the program.  Credentials on the essential list are included based on the following criteria:

  1. The certification must have high-value currency in the market, which can be gained through various processes including transparency initiatives, general awareness, endorsements and validations, regulations, hiring policies and practices, and/or procedures that can be used to translate the credential into academic credit.
  2. Must lead to improved hiring outcomes and/or increased earnings for students who attain the credential.
  3. Credentials required for employment in program field must be included.


For this Program area, students must (1) prepare students to take and (2) provide an opportunity to achieve earn at least one of the listed Essential Program credentials.

 CertificationCertifying Organization
OSHA 10 ConstructionOSHA

Essential Industry IRC(s)

All programs must (1) prepare students to take and (2) provide an opportunity to achieve at least one of the listed Essential Program Credentials.

  1. The certification must have high-value currency in the market, which can be gained through various processes including transparency initiatives, general awareness, endorsements and validations, regulations, hiring policies and practices, and/or procedures that can be used to translate the credential into academic credit.
  2. Must lead to improved hiring outcomes and/or increased earnings for students who attain the credential.
  3. Credentials required for employment in program field must be included.

For this Program area, students must (1) prepare students to take and (2) provide an opportunity to achieve earn at least one of the listed Essential Program credentials.

Supplemental IRC(s)

Programs may choose to differentiate and expand upon their program by offering additional credentials. Credentials listed as Supplemental/Specialized may include:  

  • Credentials that are endorsed by local or regional industry associations or workforce boards
  • Must be attainable for students in the program who master the competencies outlined in the relevant Career Technical Education Framework such as an advanced/stacked credential above the essentials
  • May be equipment, tool, software or process specific if valued by industry.
CertificationCertifying Organiation
OSHA Hot Work Safety, OSHA
Certified Graduate Associate, National Association of Home Builders
Certified Lead Carpenter, National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Adhesive Anchor Installer, American Concrete Institute International
Architectural Openings Consultants, Door and Hardware Institute
Certified Door Consultants, Door and Hardware Institute
Door + Hardware Industry Associate - Level I, Door and Hardware Institute
Door + Hardware Technician - Level II, Door and Hardware Institute
Door + Hardware Consultant - Level III, Door and Hardware Institute
Architectural Hardware ConsultantsDoor and Hardware Institute
Installation Masters,Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance
Fenestration Master,Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance
Fenestration Associate, Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance
LEED Green Associate,Green Business Certification Inc.
Rain Screen Systems, International Masonry Institute
Certified New Home Sales ProfessionalNational Wood Flooring Association
Graduate Master Builder, National Wood Flooring Association
Certified Master Craftsman, National Wood Flooring Association
Certified Installer and Sand & Finisher, National Wood Flooring Association
Certified CraftsmanNational Wood Flooring Association
Certified Installer – Bronze, Vinyl Siding Institute
Certified Installer – Silver,Vinyl Siding Institute
Certified Installer – Gold,Vinyl Siding Institute
Certified Installer – Platinum, Vinyl Siding Institute
Certified Installer - Platinum Plus,Vinyl Siding Institute