North Carolina
State CTE Details
North Carolina is aggressively enhancing its computer science education landscape in response to both educational priorities and the needs of the state’s tech-driven regions (such as the Research Triangle Park). In 2023, North Carolina enacted a law requiring that Computer Science be taught in all middle and high schools, including a mandatory CS course credit for high school graduation starting with students entering 9th grade in 2024 (dpi.nc.gov). This landmark policy ensures that every NC student will engage with coding and computational thinking. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has published lists of approved CS courses (e.g. Introduction to Computer Science, Computer Science Principles, Game Art & Design, etc.) that align with this requirement (dpi.nc.gov). Additionally, NC’s CTE programs include Information Technology pathways covering topics like software development, web design, and networking. Knowledge Pillars certifications can play a key role in North Carolina’s CS/CTE curriculum alignment:
- PCS – Python Coding Specialist: Supports the objectives of North Carolina’s high school programming courses and the new graduation requirement. Many NC schools will likely use courses such as Computer Science Principles or their own Programming I/II courses to fulfill the requirement. These courses often use Python as the teaching language for introductory coding. A PCS certification gives students a chance to obtain an industry-recognized credential proving their Python skills, which dovetails with NC’s push for career readiness. It can also contribute to local school quality indicators, as NC encourages industry certs as part of college-and-career readiness measures.
- JCS – JavaScript Coding Specialist: Fits into NC’s web development and “Digital Design” course frameworks. North Carolina offers courses like Advanced Digital Design or Web Page Development under CTE, where students learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. By achieving the JCS certification, a student in NC validates their JavaScript proficiency as taught in those courses, demonstrating they meet and exceed the state’s curriculum standards for web scripting. This certification could be used by districts to showcase student competency in a key web technology, enhancing the credibility of their IT programs.
- HCCS – HTML & CSS Coding Specialist: Directly aligned with the content of Web Design courses in North Carolina’s curriculum. Many NC high schools (through CTE pathways or academies) offer a Web Design or e-Commerce course covering HTML/CSS basics. The HCCS certification confirms the student’s capability in these front-end skills. It is a strong complement to NC’s Standard Course of Study in Technology Education, which emphasizes creating and publishing digital content – a student with HCCS has proven they can build websites to professional standards, which is exactly the intent of those courses.
- WCE – WordPress Certified Editor: Augments North Carolina’s focus on practical technology skills by introducing a content management platform credential. As NC schools implement the CS graduation requirement, some may integrate projects where students create blogs or websites for their communities. WordPress is an ideal platform for such projects. The WCE certification aligns with any curriculum modules on website development/management by certifying that a student can utilize a modern tool to deploy websites. This resonates with NC’s overarching goal: not just to teach theory, but to enable students to do – to create real products and gain skills applicable in the workplace.
- CiAIS – Coding in AI Specialist: Although North Carolina’s current focus is on ensuring broad CS coverage, the state is also home to a booming AI and data analytics industry (especially around its universities and tech companies). Some forward-looking high schools in NC offer courses like Advanced Programming, Machine Learning, or independent study options in AI. The Coding in AI Specialist certification provides a pathway for interested students to gain and prove expertise in AI programming. This aligns with North Carolina’s push for innovation – by encouraging interested students and STEM programs to delve deeper into AI, NC prepares a pipeline of talent for its growing AI sector. As the Stanford AI Index noted, NC has a high rate of AI job openings nationally (coloradosun.com), so validating AI coding skills in high school is a strategic advantage for students.
FAQ
Let’s see the most popular Frequently Asked Questions
A certification is an official document, or digital document, attesting the status of a certain achievement. In the IT learning industries, this can come in the form of a digital certificate and often a hard copy is also sent.
No, certifications have value if they are coming from a recognized body and are accredited by endorsements, credentials, or a badge.
Yes. Knowledge Pillars exams can be taken from anywhere as long as you have access to a suitable environment and adequate hardware, software, and bandwidth. You can find out more about preparing for proctored testing here.
Yes. Knowledge Pillars delivers full curriculum across four subject areas: Coding, Web Development, AI, and Cybersecurity.
Each course teaches students real-world skills. They follow guided lessons, build functional projects, and complete hands-on tasks that build skill step by step. Coding pathways cover 12 languages, with Apprentice courses that ground students in the fundamentals and Specialist courses that take them deeper in the same language toward job-ready depth.
Every lesson maps to a Knowledge Pillars certification, so the curriculum doesn’t just teach concepts — it moves students toward a credential they can earn, and employers can verify.
More States Coming Soon!
We are continuously working to expand our state-approved CTE certifications. Check back for updates as we add new states each year through the Industry-Based Certification approval process.