Credential framework
Badges & certifications
Clark Atlanta University maintains the badge standard; state hubs and network sites issue them. Badges stack from safety and foundation skills into advanced fabrication and instructor credentials.
Fab Lab Safety & Orientation
Required entry credential covering shop safety, PPE, and lab protocol for every network site.
Prerequisites: None
Issued by: National standard — issued at any site
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +9 more
3D Printing Fundamentals
Slicing, material selection, print troubleshooting, and post-processing on FDM systems.
Prerequisites: Fab Lab Safety & Orientation
Issued by: Any equipped site
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +9 more
Laser Safety & Operation
Safe operation of CO2 laser systems, material compatibility, and fire protocol.
Prerequisites: Fab Lab Safety & Orientation
Issued by: Any equipped site
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +6 more
CAD & Digital Design I
Parametric modeling, dimensioning, and export for fabrication.
Prerequisites: None
Issued by: Any site
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +9 more
Digital Textiles & Soft Goods
Pattern digitization, industrial sewing, embroidery, and heat transfer.
Prerequisites: Fab Lab Safety & Orientation
Issued by: Equipped state hubs
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +6 more
CNC Machining Basics
Toolpathing, workholding, feeds and speeds on routers and desktop mills.
Prerequisites: CAD & Digital Design I
Issued by: State hubs
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +6 more
Electronics & Embedded Prototyping
Soldering, circuit assembly, microcontroller programming, and testing.
Prerequisites: Fab Lab Safety & Orientation
Issued by: State hubs
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, Alcorn State Fab Lab — Mississippi State Hub +6 more
Additive Manufacturing II — Production
Tolerancing, quality control, and small-batch production workflows.
Prerequisites: 3D Printing Fundamentals
Issued by: State hubs
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab
Aerospace Composites Introduction
Layup, curing, and inspection of composite structures aligned to NASA supplier skills.
Prerequisites: CNC Machining Basics
Issued by: Designated aerospace hubs
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, FAMU Fab Lab — Florida State Hub +3 more
UAS / Drone Fabrication & Flight
Airframe build, avionics integration, and supervised flight operations.
Prerequisites: Electronics & Embedded Prototyping
Issued by: Designated aerospace hubs
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab, Alabama A&M Fab Lab — Alabama State Hub, FAMU Fab Lab — Florida State Hub +3 more
Fab Lab Instructor Certification
Train-the-trainer credential authorizing a site to deliver network badges.
Prerequisites: Two Intermediate badges
Issued by: National hub — Clark Atlanta University
Offered at CAU SHAIRED Fab Lab