Guidance for Data Collection and Publishing to the Credential Registry
This resource provides guidance and bulk upload templates to support the collection and publication of Workforce Pell data using the Model Workforce Pell Data Framework, structured in CTDL and published to the Credential Registry to support eligibility reporting, transparency, and interoperability.
Overview
Credential Transparency Description Language
CTDL is the de facto standard for describing providers, credentials, programs, competencies, outcomes, and related resources as structured linked data for search, discovery, and interoperability. Data published to the Credential Registry must be formatted using CTDL.
Credential Registry
The Credential Registry is a cloud-based, linked open data store using CTDL JSON-LD. It holds detailed information on credentials and skills, including competencies, learning and employment outcomes, market values, industries and occupations, career pathways, and quality assurance data from schools, professional associations, certification bodies, the military, and more. These data are a dependable and powerful source for systems, web and mobile applications, and other tools.
Why Publishing Workforce Pell Data in CTDL Is Beneficial
Publishing Workforce Pell data using CTDL and the Credential Registry strengthens a state’s and provider’s ability to meet Pell eligibility and reporting expectations while also creating long-term public value. Everyone benefits when information is transparent, structured, and available for use in tools and decision-making systems.
By structuring data in CTDL and publishing to the Credential Registry, states and organizations can:
- Clearly identify eligible and approved Pell programs.
- Connect programs to competencies, credentials earned, and related occupations, demonstrating workforce alignment.
- Align programs with state-identified demand occupations.
- Link articulation and progression pathways for stackability across institutions.
- Associate enrollment, placement, and earnings outcome metrics with specific programs and credentials.
Publishing in CTDL supports compliance, improves data consistency across agencies, and builds interoperable infrastructure that serves learners, institutions, workforce systems, and policymakers, extending the value of Pell reporting beyond compliance into long-term transparency and system alignment.
CTDL Classes
A CTDL class defines a resource type and determines which data elements (properties) can describe it. To support publishing Model Workforce Pell Data, the following classes are needed:
- Organization
- Learning Program
- Occupation, Industry
- Competency Framework
- Collection
- Transfer Value Profile
- Metric, Data Set
- Support Service (not essential)
To publish data for each class requires a bulk upload template.
Bulk Upload Templates
For the Model Workforce Pell Data Framework, Credential Engine provides spreadsheet templates for publishing to the Credential Registry.
Each template includes two tabs:
- CTDL Data Elements – All available CTDL data elements with definitions, instructions, and sample data; indicates required, recommended, or optional status; and notes alignment with Workforce Pell data elements (Essential or Important).
- Bulk Upload Template – A clean template for entering data per the instructions above.
CTIDs & External Identifiers
Credential Transparency Identifiers (CTIDs) are globally unique identifiers required for all resources. CTIDs allow credentials and their associated information to be distinguished, thoroughly described, and widely recognized through effective data management practices. Learn more about how CTIDs simplify credential data management.
When adding data to bulk upload templates, you can generate CTIDs for each resource. Credential Engine recommends storing CTIDs in source systems for future maintenance.
External Identifiers can map a resource to an internal system ID—useful when source systems cannot store CTIDs.
Minimum Data Policy
Credential Engine’s Minimum Data Policy establishes the baseline for credential transparency in the Credential Registry. Built on the CTDL, it defines required, recommended, and optional properties for each CTDL class — all indicated in the bulk upload templates.
Publishing Model Workforce Pell Data
Use the instructions, templates, and links below to collect and publish Workforce Pell data, organized by framework pillar. Templates are formatted in Google Sheets.
The participant-level pillar is excluded because CTDL does not support personally identifiable information.
Employer Alignment Pillar
Key Elements
- Publish occupations and/or industries that are high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand (HHI) . (Consider publishing a full state list, not just those meeting HHI criteria.)
- Publish competencies needed in HHI occupations/industries.
- Align occupations/industries with relevant competencies and programs.
- Group HHI occupations/industries in a collection.
Templates + Instructions
| Templates | Alignment with Framework | Publishing Guidance |
| Occupation + Industry |
|
Instructions for Uploading and Approving Occupations |
| Competency Framework |
|
Uploading And Approving Competency Framework Data |
| Collection |
|
Instructions For Creating A Collection In The Registry |
Program-Level Pillar
Key Elements
- Publish provider information as organizations.
- Publish remaining program-level data as learning programs.
- Connect competencies from the Employer Alignment Pillar to individual programs.
- Publish student services supporting individual programs. (Important, not essential.)
- Publish stackability and articulation as transfer values.
Templates + Instructions
| Templates | Alignment with Framework | Publishing Guidance |
| Organizations |
|
Most providers have accounts in the Registry through Credential Engine’s work with partner states and the OPEN Initiative. Search for existing organizations in Credential Finder. To publish on behalf of a provider, you need permission. Contact Credential Engine for access, then use the template provided. |
| Learning Programs |
|
Entering and Approving Learning Program Data |
| Transfer Value Profiles |
|
Uploading and Approving Transfer Value Data |
| Support Services |
|
Uploading and Approving Support Services |
Employment and Pathway Outcomes Pillar
Key Elements
- Publish metrics for Employment and Pathway Outcomes. Use Metric Type to align each metric with the relevant Workforce Pell data element.
- Publish outcomes for each program, referencing the relevant metric CTID. Contact Credential Engine for assistance with staging and publishing this data.
Templates + Instructions
| Templates | Alignment with Framework | Publishing Guidance |
| Metrics |
|
Uploading And Approving Metrics And Outcome Data |
| Outcomes |
|
Uploading And Approving Metrics And Outcome Data |
How to Publish Data to the Credential Registry
After completing the bulk upload templates, follow these steps to upload and publish data to the Credential Registry.
1. Create a Credential Engine Account
Organizations that do not have a Credential Engine account must create one before publishing. Follow these instructions to get started.
2. Publish Data
Use the Credential Publisher app to upload completed templates. Get started here. Select instructions for each template type.
Trusted Third Party Policy
State agencies and university systems may be granted permission by Credential Engine to publish data on behalf of institutions and providers under their authority. To learn more, review the trusted third party publishing policy and contact Credential Engine to request access.