The Credential As You Go national initiative focuses on building an incremental credentialing system, recognizing that many types of quality credentials (degrees, certificates, industry certifications, licenses, badges, microcredentials) document an individual’s learning. It also recognizes that credentials are awarded by many types of providers including community and technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, third-party organizations, employers, military, and state licensing boards. Credential As You Go works across states, higher education, and third-party providers including employers, to recognize all learners for what they know and can do.

The initiative launched in 2021 with state systems of higher education in Colorado, North Carolina, and New York – including community colleges and universities in those states. In 2023, 28 additional organizations joined Credential As You Go, doubling the numbers of organizations working to design and implement incremental credentials. These include state systems of higher education, community colleges, public and private four-year colleges and universities, and other credentialing and certification organizations.