Nevada’s Industry Recognized Credentials
Empowering Nevada students and professionals with industry recognized certifications for career success
Objective
Nevada focuses on curating a list of high-quality, industry-vetted credentials that meet national standards and lead to improved career outcomes, ensuring they possess real market value.
The state’s vetted list of Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs) help protect citizens from low-quality credentials, while promoting those that provide clear, measurable skills and support meaningful career advancement. While thousands of credentials could be considered, Nevada ensures our IRC list aligns to the state’s most in demand occupations and the state’s targeted industries as identified by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board.
View the IRC List
Target Industries
These seven target industries and their respective sectors are identified by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) and are updated quarterly. IRC requirements will be revised accordingly to align with these updates.
Information Technology
- Broadband
- Data Hubs
- Cyber Security
- Technology-Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics
- Warehousing
- Wholesaling
- Trucking
- Rail
- Air
- Multi-Modal Hubs
Natural Resources & Technologies
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Recycling
- Water
- Renewable Energy
- Food Production
- Energy Generation & Distribution
Hospitality, Tourism, Sports, & Creative Industries
- Outdoor Recreation
- Tourism
- Sports
- Gaming
- Film Industry
- Creative Industries
Advanced Manufacturing
- E-mobility
- Clean Technologies
- Aerospace & Defense
- All other Advanced Manufacturing
Water Technologies
Health & Medical
In-Demand Occupations
Click below to access Nevada’s current list.
In-Demand Occupations ListIndustry Recognized Credential Definition
Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs) are awarded in recognition of an individual’s measurable technical or industry/occupational skills within a specific field based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations.
IRCs are industry-recognized certificates or certifications, certificate of completion of an apprenticeship, a license recognized by the state or federal Government, or an associate or baccalaureate degree.
IRCs must document measurable technical or industry/occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation rather than general skills related to safety, hygiene, etc., even if such general skills certificates are broadly required to qualify for entry-level employment or advancement in employment.
Examples that do not count as an industry-recognized credential:
- Work and Career Readiness Certificates
- Food Handlers Certifications (including ServSafe)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- CPR Certifications
- General computer/network security certificates
- Certifications issued by local workforce development boards (LWDBs)
- Industry-specific safety certificate (e.g. construction or transportation)
Although these types of certificates are not classified as industry-recognized credentials, they still contribute meaningfully to workforce development. They are considered stackable credentials, providing a valuable starting point for individuals to build upon as they pursue more advanced or specialized certifications along their career pathways.
Process for Adding New Credentials
In order to be considered for inclusion on Nevada’s Industry Recognized Credentials List, the IRC Request Form must be completed.
Industry partners will play a critical role in identifying industry recognized credentials. After feedback is reviewed, credentials are approved or denied. Approved credentials will remain on the list until something changes with the credential to cause it to be re-evaluated. Determinations are also made in alignment with the Department of Labor (DOL) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements.
Minimum Requirements
- Fit the definition of an Industry Recognized Credential
- Meet national quality standards
- Prepare individuals for high-skill, high-wage, and/or in-demand occupations in Nevada
- Improve employment prospects and have market value
- Fall within Nevada’s targeted statewide industries identified by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board
IRC List Update Schedule
The IRC list will be reviewed and updated biannually, to be posted by the 30th of each June and December.
Submission Deadlines
OWINN will accept submissions eight weeks prior to an updated list. Applications submitted after the deadline will be deferred for review during the next scheduled update cycle.
The submission deadlines are as follows:
For inclusion on the June list: April 30
For inclusion on the December list: October 30
