AL HB498

Creates the Alabama Credential Quality and Transparency Act and establishes the Alabama Workforce Council Committee on Credential Quality and Transparency to oversee credential data.

Establishes the Alabama Credential Registry, a free public database allowing students, job seekers, and employers to search, compare, and analyze educational and occupational credentials and competencies using standardized formats.

Committee must provide annually by December 31 a "compendium of valuable credentials" for each industry sector and review credentials quarterly against quality assurance criteria established by the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways.

Requires all non-degree workforce credentials funded through federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (P.L. 113-128) or Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (P.L. 115-224) to be registered to the registry by January 1, 2022.

Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.