8.1 Earning the NCRC: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum
Key Takeaways
- The NCRC is awarded by combining three WorkKeys scores — Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents — and the certificate tier is set by the LOWEST of the three level scores
- Bronze requires Level 3+ on all three assessments, Silver requires Level 4+, Gold requires Level 5+, and Platinum requires Level 6+; there is no Level 7 tier so Level 7 still earns Platinum
- Scale scores run 65–90 in level bands — 72–76 is Level 3, 77–80 is Level 4, 81–82 is Level 5, 83–85 is Level 6, 86–90 is Level 7 — so a single 76 on any one assessment caps you at Bronze even if the other two are Gold-level
- Many entry-level roles require Bronze or Silver, while technical or supervisory roles may require Gold or Platinum; because employers verify the certificate, an honest tier matters more than an inflated claim
- To raise a tier you only need to retest the one assessment whose level is holding you back — the certificate is reissued at the new lowest level once that score improves
What the NCRC Is
Quick Answer: The ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) is a portable, nationally recognized credential that documents your foundational workplace skills. You earn it by combining three ACT WorkKeys assessment scores — Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents — and the certificate tier is set by the lowest of the three level scores.
The NCRC is not a separate test. It is a certificate that ACT issues automatically once you have a qualifying score on each of the three required WorkKeys assessments. Because employers across industries recognize the NCRC, it functions as a common language between job seekers and hiring managers: instead of describing your reading or math ability in your own words, you can present a verified Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certificate.
The Three Required Assessments
| Assessment | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Applied Math | Solving math problems in workplace contexts (quantities, money, time, proportions) |
| Graphic Literacy | Reading and interpreting charts, graphs, diagrams, and tables |
| Workplace Documents | Comprehending memos, policies, instructions, and other workplace texts |
Every assessment reports both a scale score (65–90) and a level score (Level 3 through Level 7). The level score is what feeds directly into the NCRC tier.
The Lowest-Level Rule
This is the single most important rule for the NCRC: your certificate tier is determined by the lowest of your three level scores. You must reach that level on all three assessments.
Example: if you score Level 5 in Graphic Literacy, Level 5 in Applied Math, but only Level 3 in Workplace Documents, your NCRC is Bronze, not Gold. The one weaker assessment caps the whole certificate.
This rule is why the Workplace Documents chapter you just finished matters so much. A strong performance on Applied Math and Graphic Literacy can be undone by a Level 3 reading score.
The Four NCRC Tiers
| Tier | Level Required on ALL Three Assessments | What It Signals |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Level 3+ | Foundational skills for entry-level work |
| Silver | Level 4+ | Skills needed for most mid-level jobs |
| Gold | Level 5+ | Stronger skills for technical or specialized roles |
| Platinum | Level 6+ | Advanced skills; the highest NCRC tier |
There is no Level 7 tier. Because Platinum starts at Level 6, a Level 7 score on every assessment still earns Platinum — ACT does not issue a certificate above Platinum.
Scale Scores and Level Cut Points
Each level covers a band of scale scores. The lowest score in the band is the cut point you must reach to earn that level:
| Level | Scale Score Band | Cut Point |
|---|---|---|
| Below Level 3 | 65–71 | — |
| Level 3 | 72–76 | 72 |
| Level 4 | 77–80 | 77 |
| Level 5 | 81–82 | 81 |
| Level 6 | 83–85 | 83 |
| Level 7 | 86–90 | 86 |
Scale scores run from 65 to 90. A scale score of 76 on Workplace Documents falls just below the Level 4 cut point of 77, so that score is classified as Level 3 — and caps your NCRC at Bronze even if your other two assessments are at Level 5 or higher. Knowing the cut points helps you read your score report and target the next tier precisely.
How Employers Use the NCRC
Employers use WorkKeys scores and the NCRC to verify that a job candidate has the foundational skills a specific role requires. Many employers list a minimum NCRC tier in their job postings:
- Bronze or Silver — common for entry-level production, retail support, and general labor roles
- Silver — frequently the minimum for mid-level clerical, technician, and manufacturing positions
- Gold — often required for technical, supervisory, or specialized roles with complex documents or data
- Platinum — less common; used for roles demanding advanced reasoning across all three skill areas
Because the NCRC is nationally recognized, it travels with you between employers and industries — a Silver earned in one state is a Silver everywhere.
Which Tier Do You Need?
There is no universal answer. The tier a given employer requires depends on the job profile for that role. ACT maintains Occupational Profiles that map specific job titles to recommended WorkKeys levels. If you are applying to a particular employer, check their posting or ask the HR contact which tier they require. As a general strategy, aiming for Silver opens the widest range of entry- and mid-level doors, while Gold positions you for technical and specialized roles.
Raising Your Tier by Retesting One Assessment
If your NCRC came back lower than you wanted, look at which assessment is the bottleneck. Because the certificate uses the lowest level, you only need to retest the one assessment whose level is holding you back — there is no need to retake all three.
Example: you earned Level 5 in Applied Math, Level 5 in Graphic Literacy, and Level 3 in Workplace Documents → Bronze NCRC. Retaking only Workplace Documents and scoring Level 5 or higher raises your certificate to Gold. ACT reissues the NCRC at the new lowest level once the improved score is on file.
This is why targeting your weakest of the three assessments is the most efficient path to a higher tier.
A candidate scores Level 5 in Applied Math, Level 5 in Graphic Literacy, and Level 3 in Workplace Documents. What NCRC tier do they earn?
Which statement about the NCRC tiers is correct?
A scale score of 76 on Workplace Documents falls just below the Level 4 cut point of 77. How is that score classified?