SB 737 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Nondegree workforce training programs; accreditation.

Summary

Department of Workforce Development and Advancement; accreditation of nondegree workforce training programs. Directs the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement to establish an accreditation pathway for nondegree workforce training programs in order to align the skills of the Commonwealth's workforce with the needs of industry in the Commonwealth and to provide a workforce entrance pathway for underserved populations in the Commonwealth. The bill includes minimum standards, admissions requirements, and reporting requirements for such programs. Additionally, the bill includes provisions related to the eligibility of accredited programs for state and federal workforce funding, including the federal Workforce Pell Grant.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → General Laws and Technology Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from an 'Introduced' version to a 'General Laws and Technology Substitute' version, changing the terminology from 'accreditation' to 'recognition' for nondegree workforce training programs. This change reflects a more limited scope, as 'recognition' does not carry the same legal weight as 'accreditation' and clarifies that these programs are not subject to academic accreditation standards. The substantive policy content regarding program requirements, funding eligibility, and reporting remains largely unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by changing the terminology from 'accreditation' to 'recognition,' which signals that the Department of Workforce Development is creating a recognition pathway rather than a full accreditation system for nondegree workforce training programs.

DEFINITION

Changed all instances of 'accreditation' to 'recognition' throughout the bill, including section titles and article headings, to clarify that this is a recognition pathway rather than academic accreditation.

SCOPE

Modified the article title from 'Accreditation of Nondegree Workforce Training Programs' to 'Recognition of Nondegree Workforce Training Programs' to reflect the changed terminology and scope.

Changed Section 2.2-2059 title from 'Accreditation of nondegree workforce training programs' to 'Recognition of nondegree workforce training programs' to align with the overall terminology change.

REQUIREMENT

Changed Section 2.2-2061 title from 'Minimum standards for accreditation' to 'Minimum standards for recognition' to maintain consistency with the new terminology.

TECHNICAL

Added formatting elements typical of a substitute bill, including page numbers, draft markings, and committee attribution, which are procedural rather than substantive policy changes.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Introduced

Presented and ordered printed 26105262D

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors