The State of Career Technical Education: Credentials of Value report draws on a 2024 national scan of state practices, a 50-state survey, and interviews with state leaders to gather insights and strategies for improving the identification, validation, incentivization, and data collection related to credentials that support learners’ career success and workforce development. The report is organized into four briefs, each of which includes major findings, policy exemplars, and practical strategies for implementing more robust processes around determining which credentials matter most. Additional companion resources include a list of commonly approved credentials with evidence of labor market demand, organized by Career Cluster®, and interactive data visualizations. The report reinforces what many assume to be true about credentials—they remain highly incentivized, but too many states lack robust systems, policies, and data to ensure true quality and value.