The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has launched an endorsement pathway for short‑term credential providers, opening a formal route for nontraditional programs to receive accreditor backing. The new process allows the HLC to vet providers offering certificates and accelerated credentials that target workforce needs. Accreditor officials and sector observers say endorsements could expand options for adult learners and link credentials more directly to employer demand, but the shift also raises questions about oversight, transferability of credits and consistency with degree accreditation standards. Institutions and providers interested in the first HLC cohort must apply by a specified deadline; stakeholders expect this to intensify debates over the role of accreditation in workforce‑focused education. Clarification: “Endorsement” in this context is a formal recognition by an accreditor that a short‑term provider meets specific quality criteria.