The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at better aligning higher education programs with workforce demand and improving transparency for students.
House Bill 2398, authored by Brian Hill, would create a statewide framework allowing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to designate certain degrees, certificates, licenses, and industry-recognized credentials as “credentials of value.”
Programs seeking the designation would be required to demonstrate strong outcomes for students, including positive return on investment and alignment with workforce needs. The bill would also require annual reporting on completion rates, employment outcomes, earnings, and program costs to provide students with clearer information about the value of different education pathways.
Supporters say the measure is intended to help students identify programs that lead to strong career opportunities while strengthening Oklahoma’s workforce pipeline.
The legislation also includes provisions intended to support workforce needs in high-demand fields such as education and public safety.
House Bill 2398 passed the House 70–20 and now moves to the Senate, where it is authored by Aaron Reinhardt.