DPI launches online education credential and transcript database

MADISON — In an effort to simplify accessing education transcripts and credentials, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced today it has launched an online database for the purpose of locating GED/High School Equivalency Diploma records. This lookup tool is intended to be used by individuals, employers, and institutions of higher education to verify GED/HSED credentials.

 

The DPI’s GED/HSED credentialing system was created decades ago and had previously not been developed beyond the paper-based system of credential records due to lack of staff and resources. Thanks to funding allocated by Gov. Tony Evers from the governor’s discretionary Coronavirus Relief Funds, DPI staff prioritized this work to make the database a reality, manually reviewing and scanning over 125,000 paper records and counting.

 

“This tool is going to be a game-changer, both for our Wisconsin neighbors who are looking for their own credentials and for our Wisconsin employees and higher education partners looking to verify the credentials of potential employees and students,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “I am immensely proud of the work DPI staff has done to make this database a reality, and I am thankful to Gov. Evers for understanding the need to prioritize funding for this project.”

 

Under current law, the DPI issues GED and HSED certificates to individuals who have completed requirements for each. Prior to launching the online database, employers, colleges, and universities needed to send a formal email request to the DPI to verify education transcripts and credentials. Due to lack of staffing and resources, these verifications could take up to 20 business days to fulfill. The new online database enables those entities to access and verify credentials instantaneously online. An opt-out option for individuals is also available through the tool.

 

To access the lookup tool, visit the database through the DPI’s website. For more information on Wisconsin’s GED/HSED Program, visit the DPI’s website. To order paper copies of GED/HSED transcripts, visit the DPI's website.