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Work-based learning, state by state

20 states connect work-based learning to a graduation credential or state pathway.

Requirements differ from state to state. Pick your state and see what it asks for. We show the states we have read and sourced, and nothing we have not.

Find your state

Select a state to see what it asks for. Shading shows the highest hour figure the state attaches to a credential or pathway.

States shown unshaded are still being checked. Unshaded does not mean no rule.

The states that name a number

Ranked by the highest figure each state attaches to a credential or pathway. These are not directly comparable: some are per credit, some are cumulative, and some apply to one group of students only.

10 of 51

IndianaHonors Diploma SealsSource · Checked 13 October 202675 / 150 / 65025 hoursClass of 2029Mapped in full
North CarolinaOccupational Course of StudyApplies only to students on the Occupational Course of Study, which is a pathway for students with an IEP. It is not a general requirement.Source · Checked 13 October 2026600 totalIEP pathway only
MarylandHigh school level of a Registered ApprenticeshipA pathway under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, not a diploma seal. The two figures are minimums: 144 hours of related instruction and 250 hours of paid on-the-job training before graduation.Source · Checked 13 October 2026144 + 250Pathway, not a seal
OhioGraduation competency optionOne option among several. A student also needs one foundational option, so work-based learning alone does not complete the requirement.Source · Checked 13 October 2026250Verified
FloridaCareer and technical education pathway option135 hours of career and technical student organization activity earn one credit, which counts as the one work-based learning credit for a student on the career and technical education pathway option. It applies to that one credit type only, not to the diploma as a whole.Source · Checked 13 October 20261352023-24One credit type
MassachusettsInnovation Career PathwayA state designation for a school's pathway program, not a diploma seal.Source · Checked 13 October 2026100Program, not seal
IllinoisCollege and Career Pathway EndorsementSource · Checked 13 October 20266020 hoursVerified
New YorkCareer development and occupational studies (CDOS) commencement credentialThe work-based learning must be school supervised.Source · Checked 13 October 202654From June 2016Verified
MissouriCareer and Technical Education CertificateSource · Checked 13 October 202650Class of 2021Verified
North DakotaWorkforce ReadyChoice Ready is an accountability framework, not a diploma seal. The 40 hours is one of the ways to show Workforce Ready.Source · Checked 13 October 202640Accountability framework
AlabamaBeing checked
AlaskaBeing checked
ArizonaBeing checked
ArkansasBeing checked
CaliforniaBeing checked
ColoradoBeing checked
ConnecticutBeing checked
DelawareBeing checked
District of ColumbiaBeing checked
GeorgiaWork-Based Learning (WBL) DiplomaSource · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureFall 2026Tied, no hours
HawaiiWe found no work-based learning requirement in the state's graduation requirements.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No statewide rule foundNo rule found
IdahoFuture Readiness ProjectThe project needs an experiential component, which can be work-based, service-based, research-based or portfolio-based. A student can meet it without work-based learning.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureClass of 2028Tied, no hours
IowaBeing checked
KansasPostsecondary assetsA workplace learning experience is one of several options for the two required assets. A student can meet the requirement without it.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureClass of 2028Tied, no hours
KentuckyBeing checked
LouisianaJump Start credentialApplies to the career diploma track. The workplace experiences are set by regional Jump Start teams.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
MaineBeing checked
MichiganCredit for a work-based learning experienceA weekly rule, not a total: a school board grants credit when a student attends at least 4 hours a week, and cannot require more than 10. The paid, state-approved career and technical education route has its own conditions.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
MinnesotaWe found no work-based learning requirement in the state's graduation credit list.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No statewide rule foundNo rule found
MississippiBeing checked
MontanaBeing checked
NebraskaWe found no work-based learning requirement in the state minimum. A district can add its own requirements.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No statewide rule foundNo rule found
NevadaCollege and career ready diplomaWork-based learning courses are one of several ways to earn the credits for this diploma. A student can use other options instead.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
New HampshireBeing checked
New JerseyBeing checked
New MexicoBeing checked
OklahomaIndividual Career Academic PlanThe requirement reads Service Learning and/or Work-Based Learning, so a student can meet it with service learning alone.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
OregonCareer-related learning experiencesEvery student takes part in career-related learning experiences. They can include job shadows, field trips and service learning as well as work placements, and no hours are set.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
PennsylvaniaBeing checked
Rhode IslandBeing checked
South CarolinaBeing checked
South DakotaHigh school graduation advanced career endorsementAn endorsement on top of the base diploma. The two units can be career and technical education courses or capstone courses, so work-based learning is one route among them.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
TennesseeBeing checked
TexasWe found no statewide work-based learning requirement in the graduation and endorsement rules we read. Career Preparation and practicum courses carry their own course rules, which are not a graduation requirement.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No statewide rule foundNo rule found
UtahWe found no work-based learning requirement in the state's list of high school requirements.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No statewide rule foundNo rule found
VermontFlexible pathways to graduationDistricts must offer flexible pathways, which include work-based learning, as routes to demonstrate proficiency and graduate. Graduation criteria are set locally.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No hour figureTied, no hours
VirginiaBeing checked
WashingtonBeing checked
West VirginiaBeing checked
WisconsinWisconsin has state work-based learning credentials, such as the Employability Skills Certificate and Youth Apprenticeship, but they are not attached to a diploma.Source · Checked 13 October 2026No statewide rule foundNo rule found
WyomingBeing checked

See all fifty-oneTen more connect work-based learning to a credential or pathway without naming hours. Six have no statewide rule found. Twenty-five are still being checked.

Every row links to the state's governing rule or agency guidance and shows when we checked it.

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