Certification and Certificate Programs

Tacoma Public Schools is dedicated to ensuring every student will graduate with one or more Industry Recognized Credentials that will advance their competitiveness for entry-level employment and post-secondary education opportunities.

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Students can earn the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification, accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-Conference for Food Protection (CFP). The ServSafe print and online food safety exams are accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under CFP Standards and are nationally accepted

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The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as TWIC®, is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities/vessels, and others who require a TWIC®. TSA conducts a security threat assessment (background check) to determine a person’s eligibility and issues the credential. U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens in certain immigrant/non-immigrant categories may apply for the credential. Most mariners licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard also require a credential.

Read More about Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC)

Child care providers in Washington State are required to take initial training as well as ongoing annual training to maintain their child care license.  All training is logged in the Department of Early Learning's MERIT (Managed Education and Registry Information Tool) system, Washington State's Professional Development Registry.

Read More about STARS Certification

CESCL certification is required by the Washington State Department of Ecology, Construction Stormwater General Permit for personnel responsible for monitoring stormwater at construction sites disturbing one or more acres of land, or are part of a larger common plan of development. NWETC’s 2-day CESCL course is a dynamic interaction between traditional classroom-style lectures and hands-on field exercises. Interactive dialogue between the attendees and the trainers is also promoted, to encourage a shared learning environment.

Read More about State of Washington Department of Ecology: CESCL (Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead)

FANUC Robotics: Handling Tool Operations and Programming credentials include these skills:

Power up and Jog the Robot
Recover from common program and robot faults
Execute production operations
Create, modify and execute a material-handling program
Create and execute MACROs
Monitor, Force, and Simulate Input and Output Signals
Backup and restore individual programs and files

Read More about FANUC Robotics: Handling Tool Operations and Programming Credientials

There are standard terms and knowledge expected of all persons working in entertainment. From what the parts of a typical theatre are called e.g. fly rail, grid, downstage, proscenium, to basic safety knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment, what is OSHA and why do we have Safety Data Sheets. This exam covers workplace safety, stage directions, basic theatre architecture, and job descriptions common to the entertainment industry, the knowledge that is required regardless of where you work.

Read More about Level 1 Basic Terms & Safety Exam

The USITT BACKstage Exam (Basic and Comprehensive Knowledge Exam for High School Technical Theatre Students) is designed to evaluate the knowledge and work readiness of technical theatre students at the high school level.

Developed by educators and industry professionals, BACKStage is the most comprehensive examination of its kind and will assist students in determining their readiness for post-secondary activities in technical theatre.

Read More about BACKstage Exam Certification

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Entry-Level certification tests is designed to indicate a satisfactory level of practical knowledge-based readiness for the workforce in candidates seeking a career in the automotive service industry. ASE Entry-Level certification tests are available for the Automobile, Collision Repair/Refinish, and M/H Truck segments (series). ASE Entry-level certification is the first step in building career credentials as an automotive service professional.

Read More about Auto Maintenance & Light Repair G1, Brakes B5, Electrical/Electronic Systems A6, Engine Repair A1, Engine Performance A8, Suspension & Steering A4

The American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) is a holistic language evaluation used to determine global ASL proficiency. The basic precept in this type of evaluation is to find out through a face-to-face interview what an individual can do with the target language at a given point in time. The ASLPI is a 20-25 minute video recorded interactive dialogue between the examinee and the interviewer. The interview is rated by a team of evaluators and examinees are awarded an overall proficiency level on a 0-5 rating scale. Language proficiency evaluation was originally developed by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the US Department of State and has been used by the government for decades. Adaptations to the language proficiency evaluation were made with respect to ASL and the ASLPI was born. The ASLPI is utilized by agencies, schools, universities, programs, and employers.

Read More about American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI): Level 1, Sign Language Proficiency Interview: Novice to Superior Certification

Seaman is the third enlisted rank from the bottom in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, ranking above seaman apprentice and below petty officer third class. Navy JROTC students who have completed at least 3 years (3.0 credits) can enlist at this higher rank above seaman apprentice.

Read More about E-3 Seaman Certification

Within a year of joining military service, soldiers will typically be promoted to Private First Class. Soldiers holding this rank are important to this branch. They are considered the backbone and workforce strength of the military. Lincoln and Mt. Tahoma Army JROTC and Silas Marine Corps JROTC students can enlist in the Army at this higher rank after completing three years of JROTC courses (3.0 credits).

Read More about E3 Private First Class (PFC) Certification

After completing Basic Combat Training, most soldiers receive the rank of Private Second Class. This is the first promotion the majority of enlisted soldiers earn after completing basic training, or they will get promoted after serving six months in the Army. Lincoln and Mt. Tahoma Army JROTC and Silas Marine Corps JROTCstudents can enlist in the Army at this higher rank after completing two years of JROTC courses (2.0 credits).

Read More about E2 Private (PV2) Certification

An Airman First Class is an enlisted airman in the United States Air Force at DoD paygrade E-3. A Airman First Class receives a monthly basic pay salary starting at $2,161 per month, with raises up to $2,436 per month once they have served for over 3 years. Air Force JROTC students who have completed at least 3 years (3.0 credits) at Foss are eligible to enlist in the Air Force as an E-3 Airman First Class.

Read More about E-3 Airman First Class Certification

An Airman is an enlisted airman in the United States Air Force at DoD paygrade E-2. ... In addition to basic pay, Airmans may receive additional pay allowances for housing and food, as well as special incentive pay for hostile fire and dangerous duties. Air Force JROTC students who have completed two years (2.0 credits) at Foss are eligible to enlist as an E-2 Airman.

Read More about E-2 Airman Certification

The OSHA Outreach Training Program is OSHA’s primary way to train workers in the basics of occupational safety and health. The OSHA Construction Outreach Training Programs were developed by the OSHA Training Institute with the intent to assist employers in training and introducing employees to the basic practices of identifying, reducing, eliminating, and reporting hazards associated with their work.

Read More about Calibri 11 General A21 OSHA 10 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Certificate

The Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED credential equips students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and infants and satisfies OSHA, workplace, or other regulatory requirements. Upon successful completion, a valid 2-year certificate for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED is issued.

Read More about First Aid/CPR/AED Certificate

Students learn what a financial market is and how their own lives are impacted by the global financial market. They also explore the history of the markets and how stock exchanges have transformed over time. Acting as brokers, students attempt to predict how various industries are impacted by current events. Modules include financial markets, macroeconomics, company financing, and personal investing.

Read More about Everfi Financial Marketplaces Certificate

Demonstrates competency to customize the Outlook user interface format message content, create or insert graphic elements, and send and respond to emails and meeting requests. The exam covers the ability to enhance professional correspondence, create calendars, and schedule appointments. Application examples include coordinating building resources, sending messages for marketing campaigns, planning staff meetings, and assigning meeting action items.

Read More about Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook Certificate

Demonstrates competency to create, edit, and enhance presentations and slideshows. The exam covers the ability to create and manage presentations, insert and format shapes and slides, create slide content, apply transitions and animations and manage multiple presentations. Presentation examples include professional-grade sales presentations, employee training, instructional materials, and kiosk slideshows.

Read More about Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint Certification

Demonstrates competency in the fundamentals of creating and managing worksheets and workbooks, creating cells and ranges, creating tables, applying formulas and functions, and creating charts and objects. The exam covers the ability to create and edit a workbook with multiple sheets, and use a graphic element to represent data visually. Workbook examples include professional-looking budgets, financial statements, team performance charts, sales invoices, and data-entry logs.

Read More about Microsoft Office Specialist Excel Core Certification

Earning an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) is verification by a third party, authorizing entity of a person’s qualifications or competency of specific knowledge and skills  and is accepted by employers in an industry as being a preferred, recognized, or even required when these employers are hiring, keeping, or advancing their employees. IRCs are called by many titles including credentials, certifications, degrees, and licenses.

What is the difference between credential and certification?

A credential is awarded following an advanced level examination which follows rigorous exam development protocols, is psychometrically validated, and is delivered through a third-party testing service. A certificate is awarded for completion of an educational program to gain knowledge in a specific area.

Certification Key

CS - Computer Services

  • Computer Science
  • Exploring Computer Science
  • Information Technology

HS - Human Services

  • Healthcare Careers
  • ASL
  • Teach 253
  • GRADS
  • HCA
  • JROTC
  • Business & Marketing

ES - Environmental Services

  • Horticulture
  • Agriculture
  • Plant Biology
  • Environmental Science

ST - Skilled Trades

  • Engineering, Video Production 
  • Woodworking
  • Print Making
  • Photography
  • Culinary
  • Glass, Welding
  • Printmaking
  • Ceramics