1. (a) The advisory council shall develop an inventory of industry-recognized certifications that may be earned by a public high school student through a career and technology education program and that:

   1. (1) are aligned to state and regional workforce needs;
   2. (2) serve as an entry point to middle- and high-wage jobs; and
   3. (3) meet the requirements of Section 39.0531(b), Education Code.

2. (b) The inventory must include for each certification:

   1. (1) the associated career cluster;
   2. (2) the awarding entity;
   3. (3) the level of education required and any additional requirements for the certification;
   4. (4) any fees for obtaining the certification; and
   5. (5) the average wage or salary for jobs that require or prefer the certification.
3. (c) In developing the inventory, the advisory council shall consult with local workforce boards, the Texas Workforce Investment Council, the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, the Texas Education Agency, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
4. (d) The advisory council shall establish a process for developing the inventory, including the criteria for the inclusion of a certification in the inventory.
5. (e) The advisory council shall annually review and revise the inventory.

6. (f) Each year, the commission shall:

   1. (1) adopt and, if necessary, review the inventory; and

   2. (2) provide a copy of the inventory to the Texas Education Agency and to each school district and public institution of higher education that offers a career and technology education program to public high school students.

      Transferred, redesignated and amended from Education Code, Section 29.189 by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 731 (H.B. 3938), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2021.

Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 494 (H.B. 2729), Sec. 1, eff. June 9, 2017.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 918 (H.B. 120), Sec. 24, eff. June 20, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 918 (H.B. 120), Sec. 25, eff. June 20, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1065 (H.B. 2), Sec. 6.24, eff. June 20, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1065 (H.B. 2), Sec. 6.25, eff. June 20, 2025.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 6 (H.B. 8), Sec. 2.015, eff. December 4, 2025.