Ohio HB1030: The $2,000 Microcredential Reimbursement Cap Explained

Most professional services owners in Ohio don't realize that a new state law—HB1030, the TechCred Individual Microcredential Assistance Program—now lets them recoup training costs for their employees. But there's a catch that matters: reimbursement is capped at $2,000 per microcredential, and only credentials on an official state-approved list qualify.

What the Law Actually Says

Under Section 122.178(E)(2) of HB1030, employers can apply to the Ohio Director of Development for reimbursement when they pay for an employee to earn an approved microcredential. The maximum reimbursement is $2,000 per credential per employee.

The critical detail: the credential must appear on a "credentials of value" list that the Director of Development is required to establish and maintain. This list doesn't exist yet. According to the law, the Director must adopt rules under new Section 122.1714 within 180 days of the bill's effective date. Only credentials that make the cut will be eligible for reimbursement.

This means the $2,000 reimbursement isn't automatic for any training your employee completes—only for credentials the state has formally recognized as valuable.

Why This Matters for Your Business

If you operate a professional services firm and invest in employee development—whether that's certifications in IT, accounting, project management, or specialized technical skills—this law creates a potential cost offset. For credentials that qualify, you could recover up to $2,000 per employee per credential through a reimbursement application.

However, the timing and scope remain uncertain. The state is still building the approved credentials list, which means:

• You won't know which training qualifies until the Director of Development publishes the official list
• The list may not include every credential your team pursues
• The reimbursement process and application requirements are still being defined

For firms with high employee turnover or significant training budgets, even a $2,000 per-credential reimbursement can add up. But planning around this benefit requires knowing what's on the approved list first.

What to Do Now

Professional services owners should:

• Monitor announcements from the Ohio Director of Development for the credentials-of-value list (due within 180 days of the bill's effective date)
• Review your current and planned employee training to see which credentials might qualify
• Keep documentation of microcredential costs in case you apply for reimbursement
• Check back periodically—the law requires an annual credentials-of-value report, so the list may change

The law creates a real opportunity, but only for credentials the state designates. Until the official list is published, you won't know which training investments are eligible for the $2,000 reimbursement.

Source: Ohio HB1030, Section 122.178(E)(2), Page 5; Section 122.1714