1. A. As used in this section:

   1. 1. "Coordinating entity" means the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education;
   2. 2. "Credential of value" means a certificate, degree, license, industry-recognized credential, apprenticeship credential, or other postsecondary or career-technical award issued by an educational provider that meets the criteria established under this section;
   3. 3. "Educational provider" means any institution, agency, or school coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or governed by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education; and
   4. 4. "Net cost of attendance" means the cost of attendance minus all grants, scholarships, fee waivers, or other aid received by the individual.

2. B. A coordinating entity may designate a credential as a credential of value if the credential satisfies the following criteria:

   1. 1. The credential provides a positive return on investment for individuals who complete the credential, demonstrated by:

      1. a. cumulative earnings within a time period specified by the coordinating entity that coordinates or governs the educational provider that are equal to or exceed the statewide median earnings for Oklahoma high school graduates, and
      2. b. earnings that allow the credential holder to recoup the net cost of attendance within a time period specified by the coordinating entity that coordinates or governs the educational provider; and
   2. 2. The credential is aligned with state and regional labor market demand, as determined by the coordinating entity that coordinates or governs the educational provider, using data from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, or other labor market sources recognized by the coordinating entity.
3. C. A coordinating entity may designate a credential as a credential of value even if it does not meet one or more criteria under subsection B of this section if the credential is determined by the coordinating entity to be essential to meeting documented state workforce needs.

4. D. A coordinating entity may adopt a definition of a self-sufficient wage for purposes of this section that aligns with:

   1. 1. Statewide self-sufficiency wage benchmarks; or
   2. 2. Regional economic and labor market data that reflect the cost of living and labor market conditions in Oklahoma.

5. E. A coordinating entity may promulgate rules and determine procedures to implement the provisions of this section, including:

   1. 1. Standard methodologies for calculating return on investment and net cost of attendance;
   2. 2. Criteria and data sources for assessing alignment with workforce demand;
   3. 3. A unified statewide process for designating and periodically reviewing credentials of value; and
   4. 4. A shared reporting structure and timeline for all education providers under the coordination or governance of the coordinating entity.

6. F.

   1. 1. Each educational provider shall annually report the data required to evaluate credentials under this section to the coordinating entity that coordinates or governs the educational provider. Such data shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

      1. a. enrollment, completion, and credential attainment,
      2. b. graduate employment rate and earnings outcomes, and
      3. c. program cost information.
   2. 2. A coordinating entity shall annually publish a statewide credential of value list, accessible to the public, identifying all credentials designated under this section.
7. G. A coordinating entity may enter into data-sharing agreements with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the Oklahoma Workforce Commission, and other state agencies to support the evaluation and designation of credentials of value.

Laws 2026, HB 2398, c. 17, § 1.