RTI Provider Qualifications
Instructor Credentials
All instructors delivering Related Technical Instruction (RTI) through Elevate programs hold occupation-specific credentials that match the program they teach. This page documents the qualification standards for each program, the role of credential partners and program holders, and the scope of subject matter expert involvement.
Credential Partners
State-approved or licensed instructional authorities
Program Holders
Authorized RTI coordinators under licensed supervision
Subject Matter Experts
Supplemental instruction and mentoring
Instructor Qualification Standard
For apprenticeship compliance and ETPL review, RTI instructors must be clearly qualified for the occupation they teach. The following standards apply across all programs:
- Credential match: Instructor license or certification must correspond to the occupation being taught
- Field experience: Minimum years of documented professional experience in the occupation
- MOU documentation: All credential partners and program holders operate under signed agreements with defined scope
- Periodic review: Instructor credentials are verified annually and maintained in compliance files
Program-Specific Instructor Requirements
Detailed qualification standards for each program, including credential partner type, instructor requirements, program holder role, and SME scope.
Barber Apprenticeship
Occupation: Barber
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
Licensed Barber School (State-Approved)
Regulatory body: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- Active Indiana Master Barber License
- Minimum 3 years of professional barbering experience
- Completion of instructor training or apprenticeship mentor certification
- Current CPR/First Aid certification (for clinical supervision)
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Barber Apprenticeship Coordinator — manages apprentice placement, RTI scheduling, and RAPIDS documentation under licensed barber school supervision.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
Licensed master barbers at host shops provide supplemental hands-on mentoring and technique instruction.
Credential Issued
Indiana Barber License — issued by Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)
CNA Certification
Occupation: Certified Nursing Assistant
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
Accredited Nursing Program (State-Approved)
Regulatory body: Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH)
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- Active Indiana RN or LPN license
- Minimum 2 years of clinical nursing experience
- State-approved nurse aide training instructor certification
- Current CPR/BLS certification
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Healthcare Training Manager — coordinates clinical rotation scheduling, student progress tracking, and exam preparation under accredited nursing program oversight.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
Experienced CNAs and healthcare professionals provide supplemental skills practice and patient care mentoring.
Credential Issued
CNA Certification — issued by Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH)
CDL Commercial Driving
Occupation: Commercial Driver
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
ELDT-Compliant CDL School (FMCSA Registered)
Regulatory body: FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) / Indiana BMV
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- Active CDL Class A or Class B license (matching program)
- Minimum 2 years of commercial driving experience
- ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) instructor certification
- Clean driving record (no major violations in past 3 years)
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
CDL Program Coordinator — manages student enrollment, DOT physical scheduling, behind-the-wheel hour tracking, and BMV exam coordination.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
Experienced commercial drivers provide supplemental road mentoring and pre-trip inspection practice.
Credential Issued
CDL Class A or Class B — issued by Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
HVAC Technician
Occupation: HVAC Installer / Maintenance Technician
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
DOE-Approved Trade School
Regulatory body: EPA / OSHA / Indiana DOE
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- EPA 608 Universal Certification
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification
- Minimum 5 years of HVAC field experience
- NATE certification preferred
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Trades Program Lead — coordinates lab scheduling, equipment access, safety compliance, and certification exam preparation.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
EPA-certified HVAC technicians provide supplemental equipment training, troubleshooting labs, and refrigerant handling instruction.
Credential Issued
EPA 608 Certification + OSHA 10-Hour — issued by EPA and OSHA
IT Support
Occupation: IT Support Specialist
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
Authorized CompTIA Academy
Regulatory body: CompTIA
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- Active CompTIA A+ certification
- Minimum 3 years of IT support or systems administration experience
- CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) preferred
- Experience with LMS-based instruction delivery
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Technology Program Lead — manages module sequencing, lab environment setup, practice exam scheduling, and student progress tracking.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
CompTIA-certified IT professionals provide supplemental tutoring, lab mentoring, and exam preparation support.
Credential Issued
CompTIA A+ — issued by CompTIA
Cybersecurity
Occupation: Cybersecurity Analyst
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
Authorized CompTIA Academy
Regulatory body: CompTIA
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- Active CompTIA Security+ certification (minimum)
- Minimum 3 years of cybersecurity or network security experience
- CySA+, CISSP, or CEH certification preferred
- Experience with virtual lab environments and threat simulation
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Technology Program Lead — manages curriculum delivery, virtual lab access, assessment scheduling, and certification readiness evaluation.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
Certified cybersecurity professionals provide supplemental threat analysis labs, incident response exercises, and exam preparation.
Credential Issued
CompTIA Security+ — issued by CompTIA
Welding
Occupation: Welder
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
AWS-Accredited Testing Facility / DOE-Approved Trade School
Regulatory body: AWS (American Welding Society) / OSHA
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- AWS Certified Welder (minimum D1.1 structural)
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification
- Minimum 5 years of professional welding experience
- AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) preferred
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Trades Program Lead — coordinates shop scheduling, safety compliance, welding process instruction, and certification testing.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
AWS-certified welders provide supplemental technique instruction, joint preparation labs, and weld quality mentoring.
Credential Issued
AWS D1.1 Certification + OSHA 10-Hour — issued by AWS and OSHA
Electrical
Occupation: Electrician
Credential Partner (Tier 1)
DOE-Approved Trade School
Regulatory body: Indiana DOE / OSHA / NCCER
Instructor Qualification Requirements
- Active Indiana Journeyman or Master Electrician license
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification
- Minimum 5 years of electrical field experience
- NCCER Certified Instructor preferred
Program Holder Role (Tier 2)
Trades Program Lead — coordinates lab scheduling, NEC code instruction, safety compliance, and NCCER assessment administration.
SME Scope (Tier 3)
Licensed electricians provide supplemental wiring labs, code interpretation mentoring, and job site safety instruction.
Credential Issued
OSHA 10-Hour + NCCER Core Certification — issued by OSHA and NCCER
MOU & Agreement Framework
All instructional partners operate under signed agreements that define scope, accountability, and compliance requirements.
Covers: RTI delivery scope, instructor qualifications, curriculum alignment, assessment protocols, credential issuance process, reporting requirements
Covers: Coordination scope, curriculum management responsibilities, progress documentation requirements, instructional supervision chain, periodic review schedule
Covers: Supplemental instruction scope, credential verification, session documentation, curriculum compliance, liability and insurance
Covers: Work process schedule, supervisor designation, wage progression (apprenticeship), evaluation schedule, safety compliance, hour verification process
Disclosure: Specific provider names, MOU documents, and instructor credential files are maintained in internal compliance records and disclosed to authorized reviewers (ETPL, DWD, DOL, workforce boards) upon request.