Office of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN) logo

Nevada Industry Recognized Credentials

  • Office of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN)
  • December 2025 List
  • 4 Approved Tosa Certifications
  • Last updated: June 11, 2026

Four Tosa digital skills certifications are listed on Nevada's Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC) list, maintained by the Office of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN). These credentials give Nevada CTE programs an OWINN-aligned way to offer state-recognized, industry-valued digital credentials eligible for Perkins V funding and workforce development accountability.

View the Nevada IRC List (OWINN interactive viewer) +

The Official Approved List

About the Nevada IRC List — In OWINN's Words

"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. … 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."

— Office of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN)

The OWINN IRC list is managed jointly with the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) and the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). The list is updated biannually, posted by June 30 and December 30 each year. Nevada statute requires that IRCs used in schools must appear on the OWINN list.

Industry Recognized Credentials (OWINN) +
High school students working in a classroom
Students working at computers in a classroom

Eligible Schools and Grades

Nevada's OWINN IRC list is used for both K–12 CTE and workforce development.

CategoryNevada Eligibility
School TypesNevada public high schools offering CTE programs. The OWINN IRC list is used for both K–12 CTE and workforce development; statute requires that IRCs used in schools must appear on the OWINN list.
Grade LevelsHigh school (grades 9–12). The IRC list is also used by workforce agencies for adult learners and postsecondary programs.
CTE AlignmentIRCs must align to at least 80% of Nevada CTE program standards (standards available at doe.nv.gov/offices/craleo/cte).

Nevada's IRC Classification System

The list is organized by credential type and target industry. Nevada's seven target industries, identified by the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and updated quarterly, determine which credentials are prioritised for inclusion. Tosa certifications on the list align to the Information Technology Target Industry.

Approved Tosa Certifications

The 4 Tosa certifications below are confirmed on the Nevada OWINN IRC list. Each is a Tosa bundle credential whose component exams must all be completed at the Expert level to qualify.

Tosa CertificationNational Career ClusterAligned CTE Program(s)Min. Score (OWINN)NV Funding
Nevada OWINN Industry Recognized Credentials
Tosa Certified User for Adobe Graphic Design Arts, Entertainment, & Design Graphic Design Expert (≥ 876 / 1,000) at each exam Perkins V
Tosa Certified User for Adobe Visual Design Arts, Entertainment, & Design Graphic Design; Video Production Expert (≥ 876 / 1,000) at each exam Perkins V
Tosa Certified User for Google Workspace Financial Services Management & Entrepreneurship Accounting and Finance; Office Management Expert (≥ 876 / 1,000) at each exam Perkins V
Tosa Certified User for Microsoft Office Financial Services Management & Entrepreneurship Accounting and Finance; Office Management Expert (≥ 876 / 1,000) at each exam Perkins V

Note on the Expert score requirement: Tosa certifications are scored on a 1–1,000 adaptive scale. OWINN requires a minimum score of Expert (≥ 876/1,000), the highest of Tosa's five proficiency levels — and every exam in a bundle must be completed at the Expert level to qualify.

Accountability Mechanism and Reporting

How Industry Credentials Count Toward Accountability

Nevada CTE programs that offer OWINN-approved IRCs report credential attainment through two parallel systems: Quality Program Standards (QPS) administered by the Nevada Department of Education, and data reporting through CTERS (Career Technical Education Reporting System) and SAIN. Credential attainment also counts toward Perkins V secondary performance indicators.

Students working on laptops in a classroom
Reporting dashboard on a tablet

Reporting Process

Reporting ElementNevada Details
Lead AgencyOffice of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN), in coordination with the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning, and Education Options.
Quality Program Standards (QPS)CTE programs are subject to NDE Quality Program Standards reviews, which assess program quality including IRC attainment. Criteria include curriculum alignment, industry partner engagement, and student achievement on approved credentials.
On-Site Program ReviewsNDE conducts periodic on-site program reviews of CTE programs. IRC attainment and credential documentation are reviewed as part of this process.
Data Reporting (CTERS / SAIN)Student CTE participation and IRC attainment data are reported through CTERS (Career Technical Education Reporting System) and SAIN. These data inform Perkins V performance indicator reporting and state workforce analytics.
Workplace Readiness Skills AssessmentNevada CTE programs incorporate Workplace Readiness Skills Assessments as part of the CTE accountability framework, complementing IRC attainment data.
Credential VerificationTosa provides score reports and digital certificates (Credly badges) accessible through the Tosa platform. Schools use these to document student IRC attainment for QPS and data reporting purposes.

OWINN IRC page: owinn.nv.gov  ·  NDE CTE page: doe.nv.gov — CTE

Funding

Nevada CTE credential funding flows through a hybrid model combining federal Perkins V funds, state per-pupil CTE add-on funding, and competitive state grants. Vendor selection is a Local Education Agency (LEA) decision.

Funding SourceNevada Details
Perkins V – Basic Grant (Federal)Federal CTE funding under the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). The primary funding source for IRC exam purchases, curriculum, professional development, and program costs. Administered through the Nevada Department of Education.
State Per-Pupil CTE Add-On FundingNevada provides state-level per-pupil add-on funding for students enrolled in approved CTE programs. IRC attainment supports program quality metrics that influence CTE program funding levels.
Competitive State GrantsNevada periodically offers competitive grants for CTE program development and expansion. Programs offering OWINN-approved IRCs may be eligible. Contact NDE or OWINN for current grant opportunities.
Local District BudgetDistrict CTE budgets may also be used to purchase certification exams. Vendor selection is a Local Education Agency (LEA) decision. Contact Tosa/Isograd for volume or site license pricing.

Key Criteria for Funding Eligibility

  • The certification must appear on the current OWINN IRC list
  • IRCs must align to at least 80% of Nevada CTE program standards for the relevant cluster
  • Student CTE participation and IRC attainment must be reported through CTERS / SAIN
  • Programs must meet NDE Quality Program Standards (QPS) requirements, including IRC attainment targets
  • Perkins V funds must be used in accordance with the Nevada Perkins V State Plan and applicable federal guidelines

Perkins V information: NDE — Carl D. Perkins Act

Educators discussing funding around a table
Student smiling with a laptop

Bring Nevada-Approved Tosa Certifications to Your School

Empower your students with OWINN-approved, industry-valued digital credentials eligible for Perkins V funding and Nevada CTE accountability — 4 certifications covering Adobe creative design (Graphic Design and Visual Design bundles) and digital productivity (Google Workspace and Microsoft Office bundles), aligned to CTE pathways in Arts, Entertainment & Design and Financial Services Management & Entrepreneurship.

Talk to a Nevada Education Specialist +

Stay Up to Date with Tosa