
How to Become Part of the NC3 Network
There are three levels of engagement for education institutions:
NC3 Leadership Schools, NC3Start Schools, and NC3 Certification Centers.
Membership Levels | Full Benefits



Entry Level
Certification Center
Entry-level participation designed for high schools, colleges, and other education institutions looking to offer certifications on a small scale and limited budget.
Strategic Start
NC3Start School
Strategic participation designed for education institutions who want to start engaging in the NC3 Network, beyond the entry-level participation as an NC3 Certification Center, through key NC3 programs and partnerships.
Premier Level
Leadership School
High-level participation designed for leading, competitive education institutions who want to shape, elevate, and model world-class CTE learning as a National Center of Excellence, partner closely with global industry leaders, and leverage the advancements of the NC3 network.
Click the + symbols below to learn more about certification and resources access for each of the three levels of engagement in the NC3 Network.
Instructor Training
- Instructor access to NC3's nationally-recognized Train-the-Trainer events and access to certification curriculum
Industry Partner Access
- Discounted equipment/kit purchasing
- Partner affiliation - includes opportunities for cross-promotion, co-branding, partner signage, web marketing, etc.
Turnkey Certification System
- Use of NC3's certification system (LMS) and supporting materials for implementing NC3 industry-driven certifications
- Unlimited student certification issuance for all NC3 certifications
Instructor Training
- Instructor access to NC3's nationally-recognized Train-the-Trainer events and access to certification curriculum
Industry Partner Access
- Discounted equipment/kit purchasing
- Partner affiliation - includes opportunities for cross-promotion, co-branding, partner signage, web marketing, etc.
Turnkey Certification System
- Use of NC3's certification system (LMS) and supporting materials for implementing NC3 industry-driven certifications
- Unlimited student certification issuance for all NC3 certifications
Instructor Training
- Instructor access to NC3's nationally-recognized Train-the-Trainer events and access to certification curriculum
- Professional development opportunities for instructors to become a national NC3 Master Instructor to train other instructors
Industry Partner Access
- Discounted equipment/kit purchasing
- Partner affiliation - includes opportunities for cross-promotion, co-branding, partner signage, web marketing, etc.
- Shape new certifications and participate in national forums with other NC3 partners with respect to industry innovations and R&D and curriculum development
Turnkey Certification System
- Use of NC3's certification system (LMS) and supporting materials for implementing NC3 industry-driven certifications
- Unlimited student certification issuance for all NC3 certifications
Strategic Certification Programs
Marketing Resources
- Acknowledgement on the NC3 website
- Complimentary NC3 signage for labs and classrooms
Strategic Certification Programs
Marketing Resources
- School logo on the NC3 website
- Complimentary NC3 marketing and signage package for labs and classrooms
Premier Certification Programs
Vision & Benchmarking
- Custom benchmarking and consultation tours to NC3 model campuses and programs
- Consultation and facility planning resources from NC3 and industry partners.
- Serve as National Center of Excellence model for other schools
- Senior administration collaboration opportunities with the NC3 network of leading educators and industry partners
Events & Activities
- Exclusive participation in the NC3 National Signing Day Event
- Senior administration invitation to the NC3 Annual Leadership Summit
- Access to NC3 Membership Webinars and additional event opportunities
Membership Costs
All three levels have access to free student certifications. No student will be charged for any NC3 certifications.
Certification Center
No Cost
An NC3 Certification Center has no cost to be a part of, it's just a lower level of engagement within the NC3 network with limited access to NC3 resources.
Certification Centers offer a limited amount of certifications and kit purchasing. They do not participate in Visioning & Benchmarking tours, have access to Marketing Resources, or participate in Exclusive Industry Programs/Events at a national level.
Certification Centers offer a limited amount of certifications and kit purchasing. They do not participate in Visioning & Benchmarking tours, have access to Marketing Resources, or participate in Exclusive Industry Programs/Events at a national level.
NC3Start School
$1,000.00
Annual Membership
The NC3Start program is targeted toward educational institutions seeking to certify students in one or more of NC3’s new, strategic certifications programs. The NC3Start membership also allows access to any Certification Center certification access and existing non-Center of Excellence NC3 certification programs.
NC3Start schools can take advantage of this membership level to strategically utilize NC3 across numerous programs and work towards becoming an NC3 Leadership School, and a national model for CTE.
Schools seeking to certify students in NC3’s most advanced certifications requiring Center of Excellence status and/or seeking to participate in the NC3 Annual Leadership Conference, NC3 National Signing Day Event, and/or Custom Vision & Benchmarking Tours, and Facility Planning Resources, should seek to join the NC3 Network as an NC3 Leadership School for full membership benefits and program access.
Note: An NC3Start School membership is institution-wide, not program-based.
NC3Start schools can take advantage of this membership level to strategically utilize NC3 across numerous programs and work towards becoming an NC3 Leadership School, and a national model for CTE.
Schools seeking to certify students in NC3’s most advanced certifications requiring Center of Excellence status and/or seeking to participate in the NC3 Annual Leadership Conference, NC3 National Signing Day Event, and/or Custom Vision & Benchmarking Tours, and Facility Planning Resources, should seek to join the NC3 Network as an NC3 Leadership School for full membership benefits and program access.
Note: An NC3Start School membership is institution-wide, not program-based.
Leadership School
$5,000.00
Annual Membership
The real benefit of becoming a Leadership School is having presidential and leadership participation in the NC3 network, access to all of NC3’s industry partners and exclusive certification programs, strategic planning and benchmarking resources, and best practices and collaboration with other education leaders.
Schools seeking to become a national Center of Excellence in any/all of NC3's certification programs should become an NC3 Leadership School.
Note: A Leadership School membership is institution-wide, not program based. There are also district membership options available for secondary or post-secondary school districts.
Schools seeking to become a national Center of Excellence in any/all of NC3's certification programs should become an NC3 Leadership School.
Note: A Leadership School membership is institution-wide, not program based. There are also district membership options available for secondary or post-secondary school districts.