Surveys

The exhibit below provides an overview of federal data collections that include questions on education, training, and non-degree credentials for work.

Federal Surveys with Certification and Licensure Questions
Survey/Office	Administration cycle	Population	Notes and links
Education Longitudinal Study (ELS), NCES, ED	10-year longitudinal study	Cohort of students who were in grade 10 in 2002 (Class of '04)	Seven questions included in last follow-up in 2012, when students were about 26. Link to ELS website.
High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS), 2nd Follow-up, NCES, ED	8-year longitudinal study	Cohort of students who were in grade 9 in 2009 (Class of '13)	Questions first included in 2016 2nd follow-up, when students were about 20. Link to HSLS website.
National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), NCES, ED	Cross-sectional survey, every 4 years	Students enrolled in Title- IV-eligible postsecondary insitutions	Four questions first included in the 2015-16 administration. Link to NPSAS website.
Beginning Postsecondary Students Survey (BPS), NCES, ED	6-year longitudinal study; new cohort every 8 years	Beginning postsecondary students enrolled for first time	Two questions first included in 2014 follow-up of 2011-12 beginning students. Link to BPS website.
Baccalaureate and Beyond (B&B), NCES, ED	10-year longitudinal study; new cohort every 8 years	Recent bachelor's degree recipients	Two questions first included in 2012 follow-up of 2008 bachelor's degree recipients. Link to B&B website.
Current Population Survey (CPS), Census Bureau	8-month rotation panels	Civilian noninstitutional adults age 16 years and over	Three questions first asked of all rotation panels in Jan. 2015 and in months 1 and 5 thereafter. Link to CPS tables. Link to CPS.
Wave 13, 2008 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), Census Bureau	Summer-Fall 2013	Adults in households who are at least 18 or have finished high school	Nine questions included in the final wave (wave 13) of the 2008 SIPP. Data and report released Jan. 2014. Link to SIPP report.
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), Census Bureau	2.5 to 4-year rotating panel	Adults in households who are at least 18 or have finished high school	Two questions included in initial wave beginning in 2014. Link to SIPP website.
Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), NCES, ED (in partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)	Cross-sectional survey, every 10 years	Adults in households, ages 16 to 65	Two questions to be included in the U.S. version of the 2022-23 PIAAC Background Questionnaire. Link to PIAAC website.
Adult Training and Education Survey (ATES), part of the 2016 National Household Education Survey (NHES), NCES, ED	One-time administration	Adults in households, ages 16 to 65	Included detailed questions on adults' 3 most important certifications and licenses. Link to NHES website.
National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), National Science Foundation	4-cycle biennial rotating panel; new cohort every 2 years	Adults under age 76 with at least a bachelor's degree	Eleven questions first included in 2015 administration. Link to NSCG website.
National Training, Education, and Workforce Survey (NTEWS), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), National Science Foundation	2022 (planned); 4-cycle biennial rotating panel; new cohort every 2 years	Adults in households, ages 16 to 75	Will include detailed questions on adults' 2 most important certifications and licenses. Link to NSF STW website.