2025–26 YouScience Brightpath Industry Certifications for high school students
Each academic year, YouScience collaborates with industry experts to evaluate and improve the YouScience Industry Certifications. This ongoing commitment ensures that the certifications remain accurate and aligned with the evolving skill requirements of various industries. By consistently updating exams and standards, YouScience ensures their relevance to industry demands at least once every three years and often even more frequently. Access the 2025-26 Industry Certifications Exam Catalog.
2025-26 updates at a glance
new exams
reviewed exams
total new and reviewed exams
New and updated exams of note
New industry certifications are launching for the 2025-26 academic year, including several in high-demand and emerging fields. These include 3D Animation 1 and 2, Accounting 1 and 2, Biotechnnology, Digital Marketing, and Medical Assisting—each now moving beyond the pilot stage.
Additional new exams, including Electronics 1 and 2, Culinary, Law Enforcement, and Automotive Introduction, expanding opportunities for students to earn credentials aligned to real-world skills.
The full 2025-26 list of certifications for high school students that are new or updated
Here is the detailed list of YouScience Industry Certifications that are new, updated, or renamed for the 2025-26 academic year.
New exams
All new exams are released as pilot exams. That means the standards and exams are available, but students can’t yet earn a certification when they take the exam.
The pilot phase is important to help set the cut score of the exam. To set the cut score, exam specialists work with subject-matter experts (SME), input and psychometric analysis of the pilot results and other data, and a modified-Angoff method (the most common method for determining the cut scores used for licensure and certification achievement tests).
| New Exams for 25-26 (in PILOT status) | Career cluster(s) |
| Cyber Forensics | Information Technology |
| Principles of Cyber Defense and Ethics | Information Technology |
| Private Pilot | Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics |
| Game Development Fundamentals 2 | Information Technology |
| 3D Graphics 2 | Arts, A/V Technology & Communications, STEM, and Information Technology |
Exams that have updated standards and a new name
Exams are sometimes renamed to better reflect the content of the standards and exam questions.
| Reviewed Exam Name | Name Change |
| Electronics 1 | Electronics, Introduction |
| Electronics 2 | Digital Electronics |
| Exploring Business and Marketing | Exploring Business, Finance and Marketing |
| Woods 1 | Woodworking, Beginning |
| Woods 2 | Woodworking, Intermediate |
| Automotive Service Fundamentals | Automotive, Introduction |
Additional existing exams that were reviewed and have updated standards
| Reviewed Exam Name |
| 3D Animation 1 |
| 3D Animation 2 |
| 3D Graphics 1 |
| Accounting 1 |
| Accounting 2 |
| Agriculture Biology |
| Automotive Introduction |
| Basic Automotive Collision Repair |
| Biotechnology |
| Culinary 1 |
| Database Development (Pilot) |
| Dental Assisting-Dental Science 1 |
| Dental Assisting-Dental Science 2 |
| Dental Assisting-Dental Science 3 |
| Digital Marketing |
| Game Development Fundamentals 1 |
| Law Enforcement |
| Linux Fundamentals |
| Medical Assisting-Anatomy & Physiology |
| Medical Assisting-Clinical & Lab Procedures |
| Medical Assisting-Medical Terminology |
| Medical Assisting-Office Management |
| Medical Forensics |
| Plumbing |
| Small Engine Repair |
| Television Broadcasting 1 |
| Television Broadcasting 2 |
| Video Production 1 |
| Video Production 2 |
2025-26 certifications that moved out of pilot status
The following exams, introduced in 2023-24 or earlier, are out of pilot status, and students can now earn a certification after passing the exam or meeting the exam cut score.
| Exam Name | Pilot status for 24-25 |
| Cloud Computing 1 | Certificate Available |
| Cloud Computing 2 | Certificate Available |
| 3D Print Technology | Certificate Available |
| Food Production and Processing | Certificate Available |
| Influencer & Content Marketing | Certificate Available |
| Radio Production 1 | Certificate Available |
| Radio Production 2 | Certificate Available |
How are certifications updated or created?
YouScience creates new exams when industry needs to validate new skills. We review exams anytime industry requirements, products or processes, or standards change and when exam performance data indicates an exam needs updating.
The intensive multistep process starts with a review committee, consisting of YouScience exam experts, education and industry SMEs, and state or association specialists, that meets to:
- Review or modify existing exam standards.
- Build or modify an exam blueprint to define the scope of the exam. The blueprint ensures the exam and questions align to each standard. It also acts as a guide to focus the committee on a quality product.
- Review psychometric data for the exam and each item (question) to ensure proper performance.
- Review, modify, or add exam content as needed for each item in the exam.
- Based on the review and SME input, exams or individual questions on the exam are enhanced, meaning information is improved to deliver better results, deleted, or rewritten, or a new question added.
- YouScience exam experts create a draft of the updated exam.
- The committee reviews the draft at least three times to ensure it matches the blueprint before the updated or new exam is released.
For more on how certifications are created and validated, read our detailed white paper on the certification development process.
You can also view our Certification FAQs to find answers to common questions.
What’s the benefit of YouScience Industry Certifications?
Certifications give students tangible proof of the skills and knowledge learned in career and technical education (CTE) courses. They get proof they can use to enter the workforce or skip entry-level college courses. And proof of the skills needed by industry.
Educators access validated industry standards, exams, and data. They get ready-made tools to help with preparing students for life after school. They also access tools to support their programs and meet federal and state requirements.
Pre- and post-tests (where available) let them measure student growth, drive program improvements, adapt to local pathway needs, build stackable credentials, and easily meet and report on funding requirements. Data also lets educators increase diversity in certification programs to maximize funding.
That impact is clear in Yakima School District in Washington. Since implementing YouScience Industry Certifications, the district has administered more than 68,000 certifications, helped students earn over 3,000 college credits, and saved families an estimated $350,000 to $500,000 in tuition. Educators use the data to demonstrate student growth, support teacher evaluations, and secure continued funding—even in tight budget years. Teachers report renewed motivation, and students gain confidence and access to real opportunities.
Read the full Yakima case study→
Standards give employers and educators a common language about industry needs, which strengthens education-to-career connections.
Can colleges use YouScience Industry Certifications?
Yes. YouScience Industry Certifications were developed to be used in the secondary education sector as well as colleges and universities. Read this recent case study on how YouScience is making an impact in higher education.
To learn more about YouScience Industry Certifications, visit youscience.com/industry-certifications or access the 2025-26 Exam Catalog here: youscience.com/exam-catalog.