Credential Transparency Description Language Release History

This page displays the release history for the Credential Transparency Description Language schema. Each release contains a set of changes, which are documented below. Each change describes what was changed, why, and links to one or more relevant Github issues.

January 2026 CTDL Release (20260130) (Current Release)

This is the January 2026 CTDL release.

View Terms | Jump to Mapping Changes

audLevel:EarlyChildhood View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:definition: Added
en-US Intended for children before the start of primary education.
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:AudienceLevel
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Early Childhood
skos:topConceptOf: Removed ceterms:AudienceLevel

Reason:

en-US Cover all audience levels.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/939

audLevel:LowerSecondary View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Lower Secondary
skos:broader: Added audLevel:Secondary
skos:definition: Added
en-US Intended for those at the earlier stages of secondary education, building on primary education, typically with a more subject-oriented curriculum.
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:AudienceLevel

Reason:

en-US Cover all audience levels.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/939

audLevel:Primary View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:topConceptOf: Added ceterms:AudienceLevel
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:AudienceLevel
skos:definition: Added
en-US Intended for those who are acquiring fundamental skills in reading, writing and mathematics and establishing a solid foundation for learning.
skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Primary

Reason:

en-US Cover all audience levels.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/939

audLevel:UpperSecondary View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:definition: Added
en-US Intended for those at the later stages of secondary education, preparing for tertiary education or employment.
skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Upper Secondary
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:AudienceLevel
skos:broader: Added audLevel:Secondary

Reason:

en-US Cover all audience levels.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/939

ceterms:classification View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RecognizeAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RightsAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:ApproveAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:AccreditAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:OfferAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:AdvancedStandingAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RevokeAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RegulateAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RenewAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RegistrationAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:WorkforceDemandAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:CredentialingAction

Reason:

en-US Allow identification and classification of instances of various Actions.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1023

ceterms:CostType View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

dct:description: Removed
en-US Attainment costs do not include living (e.g., room and board) or travel expenses.

Reason:

en-US Show for what purposes financial assistance is available, using the CostType concept scheme for indirect costs.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1025

ceterms:financialAssistanceForType View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

rdfs:comment: Added
en-US Type of use for which financial assistance is applicable.
rdfs:label: Added
en-US Financial Assistance For Type
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:FinancialAssistance
schema:rangeIncludes: Added skos:Concept

Reason:

en-US Show for what purposes financial assistance is available.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1025

ceterms:hasPart View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:AssessmentProfile
schema:rangeIncludes: Added ceterms:AssessmentProfile

Reason:

en-US Indicate when an Assessment is a part of something bigger.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1036

ceterms:identifier View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:CredentialingAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:ApproveAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RightsAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:WorkforceDemandAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RegistrationAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RevokeAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RegulateAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RecognizeAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:OfferAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:AccreditAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:RenewAction
schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:AdvancedStandingAction

Reason:

en-US Allow identification and classification of instances of various Actions.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1023

ceterms:isPartOf View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

schema:domainIncludes: Added ceterms:AssessmentProfile
schema:rangeIncludes: Added ceterms:AssessmentProfile

Reason:

en-US Indicate when an Assessment is a part of something bigger.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1036

ceterms:minimumAge View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

rdfs:comment: Added
en-US Minimum allowed age at which a person is eligible.
rdfs:comment: Removed
en-US Minimum allowed age at which a person is eligible for the credential.

Reason:

en-US Broaden definition of minimum age to match domain.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1038

ceterms:transferValue View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

dct:description: Added
en-US For example, this may be the credit value earned in one context that may be applied to another, but other forms of recognition of prior learning are also relevant.
rdfs:comment: Added
en-US Value that may be transferred.
rdfs:comment: Removed
en-US An explicit amount of transfer value.

Reason:

en-US Improve definition

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1014

ceterms:TransferValueProfile View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

vann:usageNote: Added
en-US Transfer Value Profile is used to describe learning value in contexts such as recognition of prior learning or transfer. It does not describe the inherent credit value of a resource within the organization that owns or offers it; use ceterms:creditValue with a Value Profile for that purpose.
dct:description: Added
en-US The learning value described in a Transfer Value Profile is commonly expressed as credit earned in one context and applied toward another, enabling a person to fulfill requirements without repeating equivalent learning. Other forms of recognition of prior learning, such as competencies or exemptions, may also be described.
rdfs:comment: Added
en-US Description of learning value from one context when transferred to another.
rdfs:comment: Removed
en-US Description of transfer value of a resource.

Reason:

en-US Improve definitions

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1014

costType:Childcare View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Childcare
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:CostType
skos:definition: Added
en-US Financial aid towards paying for supervision, care, and activities for children.
skos:topConceptOf: Added ceterms:CostType

Reason:

en-US Show for what purposes financial assistance is available, including for child care.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1025

costType:SpecialHardship View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Special Hardship
skos:topConceptOf: Added ceterms:CostType
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:CostType
skos:definition: Added
en-US Financial aid towards covering hardship arising from unforeseen circumstances.
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable

Reason:

en-US Show for what purposes financial assistance is available, including for special hardship.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1025

costType:SpecialNeeds View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:CostType
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:definition: Added
en-US Financial aid towards paying for extra costs associated with accommodating a special need.
skos:topConceptOf: Added ceterms:CostType
skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Special Needs

Reason:

en-US Show for what purposes financial assistance is available, including for special needs.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1025

costType:Travel View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:definition: Added
en-US Financial aid towards paying for travel costs.
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:CostType
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Travel
skos:topConceptOf: Added ceterms:CostType

Reason:

en-US Show for what purposes financial assistance is available, including for travel.

https://github.com/CredentialEngine/Schema-Development/issues/1025

learnMethod:CompetencyBased View Term History: JSON Turtle

Change:

skos:prefLabel: Added
en-US Competency Based
vs:term_status: Added vs:unstable
skos:inScheme: Added ceterms:LearningMethod
skos:topConceptOf: Added ceterms:LearningMethod
dct:description: Added
en-US This definition is based on Commonwealth of Learning (COL) \"Open and Distance Learning: Key Terms and Definitions\" (May 2023) http://hdl.handle.net/11599/3558
skos:definition: Added
en-US Method that focuses on learners demonstrating the knowledge, skills and/or attitudes in highly specific units regardless of time, place, or pace of learning, usually in authentic contexts.