Law and Public Safety Microcredentials

Under Construction

Microcredentials are being rolled out starting this fall. Over the school year LAPSEN hopes to have all the pathways completed. Some materials might not be available – such as the instructional videos – but are in development.

What Are Microcredentials?

LAPSEN microcredentials are skill-based certifications aligned with national public safety standards, designed to verify competency in specific, industry-relevant tasks.

They are:

✔ Skill Specific

✔ Standardized

✔ Pass/Fail Based

✔ Industry Aligned

✔ Rubric Evaluated

Used in:

✔ High School & College CTE Programs

✔ Explorer & Public Safety Cadet Programs

✔ SkillsUSA & Other Competitions

How They Work

Each microcredential:

✔ Represents one skill within a public safety career pathway

✔ Is evaluated using a rubric developed by experts and based on national standards

✔ Is either a demonstrated skill or a written performance task

Evaluation Criteria:

✔ Based on expert and agency approved standards

✔ Scored as Pass/Fail

✔ Uses a standardized LAPSEN rubric

Students can earn an industry endorsement:

✔ Must be evaluated by a LAPSEN Credentialing Specialist (details below)

✔ Pass on first attempt, may be reevaluated

Instructional Support

For every micro-credential, LAPSEN provides:

✔ Rubric (for consistent evaluation)

✔ Lesson Plan (for classroom instruction)

✔ Instructional Video (for teacher & student reference)

Implemented in:

✔ CTE Classrooms (High School & College)

✔ Explorer & Cadet Training and competitions

✔ SkillsUSA Competitions

Pathways and Sample Skills

Pathway	Sample Micro-Credential Skills
Law Enforcement	Vehicle Pullover, Handcuffing, Booking
Firefighting	Skills based on NFPA 1001
Emergency Medical	Aligned to National Registry EMR/EMT
Legal Services	Writing Briefs, Filing Motions, Opening Statements

Each pathway will include 18–30 micro-credentials.

Who Can Use Them?

All LAPSEN members may use rubrics and lesson plans for instructional purposes. We encourage their use in all of our pathways

To officially certify students, instructors must be a LAPSEN Credentialing Specialist.

LAPSEN Credentialing Specialist Certification Process:

Initial basic 8-hour certification training course covers:
- Standardization
- Certification protocols
- Training in the first “set” of microcredentials
To add additional microcredentials instructors must complete an online training. This is to ensure skill standardization.

Student Recognition

With a LAPSEN Credentialing Specialist instructor, certified students receive:

Credential Certificate
Digital Badge (for portfolios)

Programs or posts may the authorize purchase of:

Patches (similar to Scout badges)
Stickers
Metal Tokens
Coins for completion of “sets” of microcredentials

Microcredentials are a required part of Workforce Ready Credentials

Microcredentials

Below are the pathways with links to their microcredential lists.

Under development

Credential Tiers for Secondary and Postsecondary Students

Credentials are organized into three tiers, each reflecting a student’s level of training, skill, and readiness for the workforce. The apex is the top achievement available outside of an industry academy.

Base Tier – Microcredentials

These credentials require limited training — usually less than 10 hours — and focus on a specific set of skills. While valuable for building a foundation, these skills alone are not enough to secure employment. These are the lowest tier of credentials. Review the Microcredentials list.

Middle Tier – Certifications

Requiring 10 to 50 hours of training, these credentials combine multiple skills and demonstrate a student’s commitment to an area of learning. While they do not directly guarantee a job, they represent a significant step toward workforce readiness. Review more about Certifications.

Top Tier – Industry Recognized Credentials

The highest level, these credentials reflect mastery in a specialized area, based on extensive training. They may be knowledge-based, skill-based, or a combination of both, and are often endorsed by national industry professional organizations. These credentials carry strong recognition with employers. Learn more about IRCs.

Apex – Workforce Ready Credentials

Our Workforce-Ready Certification program is designed to guide high school and postsecondary students through the education and skills they need for success in the law and public safety industry. The program has three levels of achievement: Job Aware, Job Prepared, and Job Ready. Each level represents a clear benchmark of progress — from foundational awareness, to developing practical skills, to full readiness for entering the workforce.

These certifications help employers quickly understand a student’s level of preparedness, make students more marketable for a variety of career opportunities, and motivate learners to achieve meaningful milestones on their career journey. Learn more about Workforce Ready Credentials.

Holly Scroggs, Ed.S. – Holly@lapsen.org

Holly is an accomplished educator, former police officer, and LPS high school pathway completer!

Reach out to Holly with any questions.