FAQs Regarding HLC’s Endorsement
Definitions
A: The Endorsement applies to the Provider, not to individual short-term credentials. Additionally, the Endorsement applies to the Provider to the extent that the Provider offers short-term credentials. HLC currently defines a Provider as a training/education provider who is not a degree-granting institution, that creates, delivers or awards short-term credentials that demonstrate they are aligned with modern workforce needs; they are advancing learning for today’s job market, and through their short-term credentials, they are accelerating career opportunities for learners.
A: Not at this time. HLC currently defines a Provider as a training/education provider who is not a degree-granting institution, that creates, delivers or awards short-term credentials that demonstrate they are aligned with modern workforce needs; they are advancing learning for today’s job market, and through their short-term credentials, they are accelerating career opportunities for learners.
HLC will begin discussions on the possibility of expanding the parameters to include other types of entities, including continuing ed or workforce divisions of degree-granting institutions offering short-term, non-credit credentials based on recent inquiries.
A: Yes and yes. Please review the list of ‘evidence to include’ at the end of the application to help you determine if the provider could meet HLC’s expectations. Oversight by other entities such as licensing boards or apprenticeship organizations may set expectations that will make it easier to provide evidence.
Categories for Review
A: HLC’s Categories for Review identify the following:
- The Provider demonstrates it uses workforce, employer, or industry information to identify learning needs (competencies) that inform offerings.
- The Provider demonstrates it has processes in place to ensure alignment to workforce learning needs.
- The Provider demonstrates it has sufficient and regular review processes to ensure ongoing currency and relevancy of offerings given labor market changes.
- The Provider demonstrates it identifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities addressed in offerings.
- The Provider demonstrates it defines achievement requirements for the credentials.
- The Provider demonstrates method(s) of learning assessment or validation of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to assure that learners meet the achievement requirements.
A: The Endorsement has “categories of review” that will be evaluated every two years. This timeline is established due to the dynamic changes that occur in workforce learning needs.
Process
A: The providers who apply by the January 23, 2026, deadline will be notified in early March 2026. Reviews typically are completed between four to six weeks from the deadline date.
A: Potentially. An Endorsed Provider must be a legal entity operating in the United States with a U.S. Employer Identification Number or Taxpayer Identification Number. Workforce learning needs change rapidly and this endorsement is intended to provide quality assurance for providers in that rapid changing market.
A: If not endorsed, the Provider will receive the feedback from the evaluation and may re-apply as part of a future cohort.
A: Potentially. We believe that the Endorsement demonstrates the quality of providers as trustworthy credential partners for addressing workforce learning initiatives and developing learners’ skills to fill workforce needs. This Endorsement also will help students who are looking for credible providers in the short-term credential landscape to secure a certificate or certification. In addition, colleges and universities will have a trusted quality assurance agency Endorsement to reference prior to contracting with a short-term credential Provider for curriculum, assessment and related support. Lastly, employers across industries are dealing with rapid transformation on multiple fronts and the endorsement looks at relevant standards vital to meeting the skills needed from the workforce today and in the future.
Other Stakeholders
A: No. Financial aid may be available for leaners which may cover expenses such as tuition, course materials, or proctored testing exams. Providers are responsible for reviewing federal and state options.
A: Workforce Pell eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education. While the details of Workforce Pell are still being determined, HLC continues to monitor it and will provide information about the eligibility when it is available.
A: Yes! Take a look at the categories for review and think about what evidence you could share that would help the provider submit information to demonstrate that it meets the category.
A: HLC accredited institutions who work with providers follow substantive change policies regarding contractual arrangements or modalities. There are no additional requirements or costs because a provider may be endorsed by HLC.
A: Potentially. Articulation policies and processes are set by each institution.
A: Potentially yes. As always, HLC accredited institutions create their educational offerings in alignment with their mission.
A: HLC has provided institutional accreditation to colleges and universities since 1895. In 2023, HLC expanded its quality assurance work beyond accreditation to build an endorsement for short-term credential content providers that create and/or deliver content or skills training that connects students to labor market needs. These providers often work either independently or in partnership with colleges and universities or employers, but they are not themselves colleges or universities.
