Ten Tosa digital skills certifications are officially approved on the Washington State-Approved Industry Recognized Credentials (IRC) List, giving Washington secondary CTE programs an OSPI-aligned way to validate career-ready digital skills. Approved certifications span two career clusters: Business Management & Administration and Information Technology.
Download the Washington IRC List (Appendix AK) +"CTE promotes and supports locally-based middle and high school programs that provide 21st-century, academic and technical skills for all students. CTE classes can often fulfill academic credits required for high school graduation and some classes are even good for tuition-free college credit."
— Washington OSPI, CTE Resources & Essentials
Washington evaluates industry-recognized credentials for approval based on three criteria: they are attainable by high school students; they are recognized by industry, professional, or government entities; and they are valued by employers as evidence of workforce readiness or advancement skills.
OSPI CTE Resources & Essentials +
Washington's IRC program serves middle school and high school students through local district CTE programs.
| Category | Washington Eligibility |
|---|---|
| School Types | Traditional public school districts; State-Tribal Education Compact Schools |
| Primary Grade Levels | Grades 9–12 (secondary CTE programs); some middle school programs may be eligible |
| Program Participation | Students enrolled in OSPI-approved CTE programs aligned to the credential's career cluster and CTE program area |
Key note: IRC results must be reported through CEDARS using the correct data elements (E15 and H31) and the valid IRC code from the current Appendix AK. Results submitted with invalid or outdated codes will not be counted.
Washington's IRC list groups certifications under umbrella names. For example, Adobe Certified Associate Certifications (Various Certs) covers all individual Adobe Tosa certifications. Each certification row below shows the individual Tosa cert name alongside its umbrella IRC code and OSPI name used for CEDARS reporting.
⚠ Important: IRC codes and valid values are updated annually. Using a code removed or changed in a new Appendix AK version will cause a CEDARS reporting error. Always cross-reference submissions against the current Appendix AK before the submission window closes.
All 10 Tosa certifications are approved on the Washington 2025–26 IRC List across two career clusters. The table below shows each certification with its OSPI IRC code, umbrella credential name from Appendix AK, career cluster, CTE program area, and required proficiency level.
| Tosa Certification | IRC Code | OSPI Credential Name (Umbrella) | Career Cluster | CTE Program Area | Required Level & Min. Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Management and Administration | |||||
| Tosa Google Docs | 90 | Google Workspace Certification (formerly G-Suite) | Business Management & Administration | Business & Marketing | Basic · min. 351 / 1,000 |
| Tosa Google Sheets | 90 | Google Workspace Certification (formerly G-Suite) | Business Management & Administration | Business & Marketing | Basic · min. 351 / 1,000 |
| Tosa Google Slides | 90 | Google Workspace Certification (formerly G-Suite) | Business Management & Administration | Business & Marketing | Basic · min. 351 / 1,000 |
| Information Technology | |||||
| Tosa Adobe Illustrator | 19 | Adobe Certified Associate Certifications (Various Certs) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
| Tosa Adobe InDesign | 19 | Adobe Certified Associate Certifications (Various Certs) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
| Tosa Adobe Photoshop | 19 | Adobe Certified Associate Certifications (Various Certs) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
| Tosa Adobe Premiere Pro | 19 | Adobe Certified Associate Certifications (Various Certs) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
| Tosa WordPress | 113 | WordPress (Certified Developer, Certified Administrator, Elementor Specialist, WooCommerce Specialist) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
| Tosa JavaScript | 93 | Javascript/Java Programming Certification (Various Certs) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
| Tosa Python | 101 | Python Coding Certification (Various Certs) | Information Technology | Business & Marketing | Productive · min. 551 / 1,000 |
About the required level & score: All Tosa certifications are scored on a 1–1,000 scale. Washington applies Tosa's standard cut scores for each proficiency level.
In Washington, approved IRCs count toward student CTE completion records and district-level reporting on workforce readiness. Earned credentials support Perkins V secondary performance indicators and inform statewide CTE program quality measures.
Districts that actively report IRC completions demonstrate stronger CTE program outcomes, supporting continued Perkins V funding allocations and state CTE investment decisions.
| Reporting Element | Washington Details |
|---|---|
| Reporting System | CEDARS (Comprehensive Education Data and Research System) — OSPI's statewide K–12 data platform |
| Key Data Elements | D17 — IRCs Offered · E15 — IRCs Earned (student level) · H31 — IRCs Earned (district level) |
| Valid IRC Codes | Codes must match the current Appendix AK for the applicable school year. OSPI updates valid values annually in the CEDARS Data Manual. |
| Submission Window | Follows OSPI's annual CEDARS data calendar. Confirm current-year deadlines with OSPI or your regional ESD. |
| Who Reports | District CTE directors and CEDARS data coordinators |
| Accountability Effect | Reported IRC completions count toward CTE program outcome data, Perkins V secondary performance indicators, and district CTE completion rates |
CEDARS Data Manual & reporting guidance: OSPI CTE Resources & Essentials
Washington provides multiple pathways to fund industry-recognized credential exams. The state has made dedicated legislative investments in credential access that can be combined with federal Perkins V funds and local CTE budgets.
| Funding Source | Washington Details |
|---|---|
| State Investment (Primary) | OSPI and the Washington Legislature have proposed and funded approximately $200 per certification to expand student access to industry-recognized credentials statewide. This funding is tied to OSPI's legislative budget requests supporting CTE credential attainment goals. |
| Perkins V (Federal CTE Funding) | Federal CTE funds under Perkins V may be used for IRC exam purchases, program support, and related CTE costs for secondary programs. |
| Local District / CTE Budget | District CTE budgets and local program funds can be used to purchase certification exams and support campus-level implementation. |
| CTE Enhancement Grants | Funding may be available through OSPI CTE enhancement grants, Career Connect Washington initiatives, workforce readiness programs, and regional ESD partnerships. |
| Dual Credit / Career Pathway Expansion | Funding tied to dual credit and career pathway expansion programs may support credential attainment where IRC completion aligns with course credit frameworks. |
For detailed guidance: Districts should contact their OSPI Regional CTE Specialist or regional Educational Service District (ESD) for support on IRC funding, CEDARS reporting, and credential program implementation.
Empower your students with OSPI-recognized, industry-valued digital credentials and strengthen your CTE program's outcomes across Business and Technology pathways.
Talk to a Washington Education Specialist +