Quick Start Guide
Find credentials, certificates, degrees, and licenses available in Texas
What Is MyTXLibrary?
MyTXLibrary is a free, publicly accessible search tool that helps Texans explore thousands of credentials recognized in Texas. Whether you are looking for a new career, seeking to advance in your current field, or simply exploring your options, this tool connects you to reliable, up-to-date information about:
- Degrees and certificates awarded by Texas colleges and universities
- Industry-based certification recognized by employers
- Occupational licenses required to work in regulated industries in Texas
All credential data is sourced from the Credential Engine Registry — a national, standardized database that makes it easy to compare credentials from different providers side by side.
Who is this for?
Job seekers, career changers, and anyone exploring education or training options in Texas. No account or login is required — it’s completely free to use.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
- Use simple, specific keywords. — “CDL license” will return better results than “I want to drive trucks.”
- Try related terms if your first search is too narrow. — If “coding bootcamp” returns few results, try “web development certificate” or “software developer.”
- Use Occupation Search if you know the job but not the credential. — Starting with your target job title is often faster than guessing credential names.
- Use Collections Search if you are still exploring a career field. — Collections give you an expertly curated overview without needing to know the right keywords.
- Check the issuing organization’s website. — Each credential record links to the provider’s official site where you can find enrollment details, financial aid, and application steps.
- Clear your filters if you are not finding what you need. — Sometimes an active filter can hide relevant results. Use Clear Filters to reset and start fresh.
Quick Reference
| Task | How To Do It |
| Search for a credential by keyword | Use Credential Search — type a keyword in the search bar and press Enter |
| Filter by credential type | Select a type (Degree, Certificate, Certification, License) in the filter panel |
| Filter by occupation | Use the Occupation filter in the Credential Search filter panel |
| View full credential details | Click on any search results to open the full record |
| Visit the provider’s website | Click the link in the credential record to go to the issuing organization |
| Explore credentials by career theme | Use Collections Search to browse curated groups of credentials |
| Find credentials for a specific job | Use Occupation Search — type a job title to see linked credentials |
| Find courses or training programs | Use Learning Opportunity Search — search by subject or skill area |
| See what credential a course leads to | Open a Learning Opportunity record and check the Related Credentials section |
| Switch between search modes | Use the drop-down navigation at the top of the MyTXLibrary page |
| Remove a filter | Click the X next to an active filter, or click Clear Filters |
| Start a new search | Clear the search bar and type a new keyword |
Four Ways to Search
| Search Mode | Best Used When… | Example Use |
| Credential Search | You know what credential you are looking for, or want to explore by keyword, type, or provider. | Search “CompTIA” to find all relevant certifications. |
| Collections Search | You want to explore a curated, themed group of credentials organized around a career area or pathway. | Browse a “Healthcare Careers” collection to see all credentials grouped for that field. |
| Occupation Search | You want to start with a job or career goal and see which credentials are linked to that occupation. | Search “Medical Assistant” to see all certificates, licenses, and degrees tied to that role. |
| Learning Opportunity Search | You want to find specific courses or training programs — not just the end credential, but the path to get there. | Search “welding” to find courses and training programs that lead toward a welding certification. |
Getting Started
Open your web browser and go to: https://credentialfinder.org/search?&widgetid=MyTXLibrary
The site works on any modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) and on mobile devices. No downloads, plugins, or accounts are needed.
When the page loads, you will see three main areas:
| Area | What It Does |
| Search Bar | Type keywords to search for credentials by name, subject, or industry |
| Filter Panel | Narrow results by credential type, provider, cost, and more |
| Results List | Displays matching credentials with key details and links |
Figure 1 below shows the layout of the site, with the search bar and filter panel displayed.
How to Search for Credentials
Click the search bar at the top of the page and type what you are looking for. You can search by:
- Job title or occupation (e.g., “electrician,” “medical assistant,” “cybersecurity”)
- Credential name (e.g., “CompTIA A+,” “Licensed Vocational Nurse certificate”)
- Subject or industry (e.g., “healthcare,” “construction,” “information technology”)
- School or provider name (e.g., “Austin Community College”)
Search Tip
Start broad and then narrow down. Searching “nursing” will show a wide range of nursing-related credentials. You can then use filters to focus on the specific type or level you need.
After searching, a list of matching credentials appears. Each result card shows:
- Credential name and the organization that awards it
- Credential type (degree, certificate, certification, or license)
- A brief description of what the credential covers
- A link to more details
Results are ranked by relevance to your search term. The more closely a credential matches your keywords, the higher it appears in the list.
You can restrict your search to a geographic region or near (25 miles, 50 miles, and 100 miles) a city, state or zip code. To access the geographic search feature, expand the arrow next to the Search bar. The Search will now expand to include geographic selection options.
Figure 2 below shows the geographic region search options.
Click on any result to open the full credential record. Here you will find detailed information including:
| Detail | What It Tells You |
| Description | What the credential is and what it prepares you to do |
| Credential Type | Whether it is a degree, certificate, certification, or license |
| Issuing Organization | The school, agency, or professional body that awards it |
| Requirements | What you need to do to earn it (coursework, exams, experience, etc.) |
| Cost & Duration | Estimated cost and time to complete (when available) |
| Related Resources | Links to the issuing organization’s website for more info |
Using Filters to Narrow Your Results
The filter panel lets you zero in on exactly what you need. Filters appear on the side or top of the results page depending on your screen size.
| Filter | How to Use It |
| Credential Type | Select Degree, Certificate, Certification, or License to see only that category |
| Issuing Organization | Limit results to credentials from a specific school or certifying body |
| Occupation | Browse credentials by occupation |
| Delivery Type | Filter by in-person, online, or hybrid programs (when available) |
| Other Filters | Filter by other topics to display credentials that have relevant information. |
Figure 3 shows the credential filter options available. Expand each pane to select options.
You can apply multiple filters at the same time. To remove a filter, click the X next to it or use the Clear Filters option to start fresh.
Using Collections Search
The Collections search lets you browse curated groups of credentials that have been organized around a specific career area, industry, or learning pathway. Instead of starting with a keyword, you start with a theme — then explore all the credentials that belong to it.
To access collections, expand the Search drop-down menu and select Collections.
A collection is a hand-curated set of credentials grouped together because they share a common theme — such as a career field, an industry sector, or a group of industry-based certifications. Collections are created and maintained by educators, workforce organizations, and other experts to help users quickly find credentials relevant to a specific area without having to search from scratch.
When should I use Collections?
Collections are ideal if you are not sure exactly what credential you need but you know the field you want to work in. For example, if you are interested in short-term credentials, or credentials that take less than one year to achieve, browsing a Short-Term Credentials collection shows you all the relevant options in one place.
- Open the Collections Search page. — Select Collections from the Search bar on the MyTXLibrary site.
- Browse available collections. — Collections are listed by name and typically include a short description of the career area or theme they cover.
- Click a collection to open it. — You will see all the credentials that belong to that collection, along with brief descriptions of each.
- Click any item within the collection. — This opens the full record, just as it would in a regular credential search, with details on requirements, cost, and the issuing organization.
| Element | What It Tells You |
| Collection Name | The career area or theme the group of credentials relates to |
| Description | A brief overview of who the collection is for and what it covers |
| Credential or Occupation Count | How many credentials or occupations are included in the collection |
| Credential or Occupation Links | Each credential or occupation links to the full record with complete details |
Using Occupation Search
Occupation Search lets you start with a job title or career goal and immediately see which credentials are linked to that occupation. This is especially useful if you know what kind of work you want to do but are not yet sure what education or training is required or recommended.
To access occupations, expand the Search drop down menu and select Occupations.
The Occupation Search classifies hundreds of jobs and careers by their tasks, skills, and requirements. When you search for a job title, the tool matches it to one or more O*NET occupation categories and then surfaces all credentials that are aligned to those occupations.
What is O*NET?
O*NET (Occupational Information Network) is the U.S. Department of Labor’s official database of occupational information. It classifies nearly every type of job in the American workforce and is widely used by employers, schools, and career counselors. MyTXLibrary uses O*NET codes to accurately connect job titles to relevant credentials.
- Open the Occupation Search page. — Select Occupations from the Search bar on the MyTXLibrary site.
- Type a job title or occupation in the search bar. — Examples: “Welder,” “Registered Nurse,” “IT Support Specialist,” “Electrician.”
- Select your occupation from the results. — The tool may return several closely related occupation categories — choose the one that best matches your goal.
- Browse linked credentials. — The page will display all credentials that are associated with that occupation, including degrees, certificates, certifications, and licenses.
- Click any credential for full details. — Just like in the other search modes, clicking a credential card opens the complete record.
| Element | What It Tells You |
| Occupation Name | The official O*NET job title matched to your search |
| O*NET Code | The unique identifier for this occupation in the national database |
| Occupation Description | A summary of what workers in this role typically do |
| Linked Credentials | All degrees, certificates, certifications, and licenses associated with this occupation |
Not finding results for your job title?
Try a broader or alternate title. For example, if “Auto Mechanic” returns few results, try “Automotive Service Technician”.
Using Learning Opportunity Search
Learning Opportunity Search helps you find specific courses and training programs — not just the finished credential, but the actual learning path that gets you there. This is the right mode to use when you want to understand what studying or training looks like before committing to a full credential program.
To access learning opportunities, expand the Search drop-down menu and select Learning Opportunity.
A learning opportunity is any structured course, program, or training experience offered by a school, employer, training provider, or other organization. Unlike credentials — which are the certificates, licenses, or degrees you earn at the end — learning opportunities are the actual educational experiences that lead to those credentials. Examples include a community college course, a workforce training program, or an apprenticeship.
Credential vs. Learning Opportunity — what’s the difference?
A credential is what you earn (e.g., a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate). A learning opportunity is how you earn it (e.g., a 75-hour CNA training course at Austin Community College). Use Credential Search to find the destination, and Learning Opportunity Search to find the route.
- Open the Learning Opportunity Search page. — Select Learning Opportunity from the Search bar on the MyTXLibrary site.
- Type a subject, skill, or career area in the search bar. — Examples: “cybersecurity,” “early childhood education,” “diesel mechanics,” “bookkeeping.”
- Review the list of matching programs. — Results show courses and training programs that match your keyword, along with the provider offering them.
- Click a result to view the full program record. — This opens a detailed page for that learning opportunity with information on what is covered, how long it takes, and where it leads.
- Follow links to related credentials. — Many learning opportunity records include connections to the credentials they lead toward, making it easy to see the full picture — from training to certification.
| Element | What It Tells You |
| Program Name | The title of the course or training program |
| Provider | The school, organization, or employer offering the program |
| Description | What the program covers and who it is designed for |
| Duration | How long the program takes to complete (hours, weeks, or semesters) |
| Delivery Method | Whether it is in-person, online, or hybrid (when available) |
| Cost | Estimated tuition or fees (when available) |
| Related Credentials | The certificates, certifications, or licenses this program prepares you to earn |
| Provider Website | A link to the offering organization |
Using the Compare Feature
The Compare feature allows you to select two or more credentials and view their key details side by side. This makes it easier to weigh your options — comparing requirements, costs, duration, and issuing organizations — without having to switch back and forth between individual records.
From the Credential Search results list, locate a credential you want to compare. On each result card, you will see a small + icon in the upper right corner of the card. Click the + icon to add that credential to your comparison. The icon will change to indicate the credential has been selected, and a Compare button will appear or update in the top right corner of the screen showing how many credentials you have added (for example, “Compare (2)”).
Repeat this for each credential you want to include. You can add multiple credentials from your search results before opening the Compare pane.
Once you have added at least two credentials, click the Compare button in the top right corner of the screen. This opens the Compare pane, which displays your selected credentials side by side in a structured table so you can evaluate them at a glance.
How many credentials can I compare?
You can compare two or more credentials at a time. If you want to start fresh, use the Remove button within the Compare pane to remove individual credentials, or clear your selections to begin a new comparison.
The Compare pane presents the selected credentials in a structured table. Each credential occupies its own column, with the same details shown for each so you can compare them row by row. Additional credential information may be available by selecting the dropdown arrows next to each heading.
To remove a credential from the Compare pane, click the Remove button at the top of that credential’s column. This deselects it and updates the pane without clearing your other selections. To close the Compare pane entirely and return to search results, click the back button on your browser.