The Board of Postsecondary Credentials was established during the last legislative session by Section 9.11 of Session Law 2017-57. "The purpose of the Board is to review and make recommendations for the development of a Statewide system of postsecondary education that links industry, corporations, and businesses in this State with educators, government, and community organizations to identify workforce skills and training needs and to ensure that appropriate courses of study and vocational training are available to North Carolinians, including those preparing to pursue postsecondary education, entering the workforce, or seeking to update skills and training for purposes of retaining employment and advancing in the workforce."

The Board is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor and the following individuals or their designees:  the President of The University of North Carolina, the President of the State Board of Community Colleges, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Commissioner of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, the President of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the Executive Director of the State Board of Proprietary Schools, the President of the North Carolina Hospital Association, and the Executive Director of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.