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Business & Cross-Cutting · course plan
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Entrepreneurship / Small-Business Ops
11 courses · 900 clock hours · 3–6 mo full-time. Grading is competency-based: each course requires the written exam, a competent skills demonstration with zero safety faults, a signed log, and a passed safety audit; percentage weights only rank performance above the competency floor.
11courses
54lessons
900hours
39assessments
Development progressPlanCourses, lessons and assessments written for this tradeLessons54 of 54 lesson pages writtenPractice432 practice questionsResources114 reference entries (study list)Review0 lesson pages reviewed by a licensed professional
Study now: 54 lesson pages are open (lesson titles below are links).
BUS-ENTR56-01 Universal core
Universal Core: Safety, Math, Communication & Career for Entrepreneurship and Small-Business Operations
148 hr · $1,185 COMPLIMENTARY
This foundational course equips adult learners with the safety, mathematical, communication, and career-readiness skills required to operate and grow a small business responsibly. Students earn OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification, practice business math and measurement, and develop the professional communication and digital literacy habits that underpin every subsequent course in the program. Lessons are explicitly connected to the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential exam areas that test foundational business competency.
Outcomes- Complete the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training and demonstrate knowledge of workplace hazard recognition, incident reporting, and emergency procedures applicable to a small-business environment.
- Apply arithmetic, percentage, ratio, and basic algebraic operations to authentic small-business math scenarios including break-even analysis, markup, and cash-flow estimation with at least 80% accuracy.
- Read and interpret common business documents—leases, invoices, safety data sheets, and regulatory notices—extracting key information accurately.
- Produce clear professional written and oral communications, including a business email, a one-page executive summary, and a two-minute elevator pitch.
- Use standard digital productivity tools (spreadsheet, word processor, cloud storage, and presentation software) to create, organize, and share business documents.
- Construct a personal career portfolio containing a resume, a professional profile, and a completed self-assessment that maps individual strengths to entrepreneurial roles.
Course text
This foundational course equips adult learners with the safety, mathematical, communication, and career-readiness skills required to operate and grow a small business responsibly. Students earn OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification, practice business math and measurement, and develop the professional communication and digital literacy habits that underpin every subsequent course in the program. Lessons are explicitly connected to the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential exam areas that test foundational business competency.
How the course runs. 7 blocks: Workplace Safety and OSHA 10-Hour General Industry; First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Preparedness for the Small-Business Owner; Business Math: Arithmetic, Percentages, and Core Small-Business Calculations; Technical Reading: Business Documents, Regulations, and Industry References; Digital Tools for Small-Business Owners; Professional Communication: Written, Verbal, and Visual; Career Readiness and Professional Identity for Entrepreneurs.
What competent looks like. Complete the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry training and demonstrate knowledge of workplace hazard recognition, incident reporting, and emergency procedures applicable to a small-business environment. Apply arithmetic, percentage, ratio, and basic algebraic operations to authentic small-business math scenarios including break-even analysis, markup, and cash-flow estimation with at least 80% accuracy. Read and interpret common business documents—leases, invoices, safety data sheets, and regulatory notices—extracting key information accurately. Produce clear professional written and oral communications, including a business email, a one-page executive summary, and a two-minute elevator pitch. Use standard digital productivity tools (spreadsheet, word processor, cloud storage, and presentation software) to create, organize, and share business documents. Construct a personal career portfolio containing a resume, a professional profile, and a completed self-assessment that maps individual strengths to entrepreneurial roles.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Workplace Safety and OSHA 10-Hour General Industry | 30 | theory | Students will identify OSHA General Industry hazard categories, explain workers' rights and employer responsibilities, demonstrate correct incident-reporting procedures, and pass the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry completion requirement. |
| OSHA 10-Hour General Industry student materials (authorized provider), OSHA publication 3021 (Worker Rights), sample OSHA 300 Log form, PPE selection chart, first-aid/CPR certification course materials (American Red Cross or American Heart Association), scenario worksheets, reflective log template | Instructor verifies OSHA 10-Hour completion card or certificate of completion issued by the authorized provider; students also score 80% or higher on a 25-question written safety quiz covering hazard identification, PPE selection, and emergency procedures. |
| 2 | First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Preparedness for the Small-Business Owner | 10 | lab | Students will demonstrate adult CPR/AED operation, basic first-aid response, and the creation of a written emergency action plan appropriate for a small-business setting. |
| CPR/AED training manikins and trainer AED units, first-aid kit (standard commercial kit), scenario cards, OSHA Emergency Action Plan guidance document, blank floor-plan template, American Red Cross or American Heart Association first-aid reference guide | Authorized CPR/first-aid instructor signs off on skills competency (100% pass required for certification card); Emergency Action Plan is evaluated on a rubric with a passing score of 80%, checking that all required elements are present and accurate. |
| 3 | Business Math: Arithmetic, Percentages, and Core Small-Business Calculations | 30 | practice | Students will accurately perform arithmetic operations, percentage calculations, markup and markdown, simple interest, and break-even analysis using both manual calculation and a spreadsheet to solve authentic small-business problems. |
| Printed business math problem sets (instructor-created using publicly available price data), spreadsheet software (Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel), calculators, sample invoices and bank statements, break-even worksheet template, Business Math textbook reference (e.g., Cleaves and Hobbs, Business Math) | Students score 80% or higher on a 30-question graded problem set that includes all calculation types covered; spreadsheet break-even model is checked for correct formula use and accurate output using an answer key. |
| 4 | Technical Reading: Business Documents, Regulations, and Industry References | 20 | theory | Students will demonstrate the ability to read and accurately extract key information from business documents including leases, invoices, contracts, regulatory notices, and safety data sheets relevant to a small-business context. |
| Sample commercial lease excerpt (instructor-prepared, based on publicly available templates), sample vendor invoice, SBA loan summary sample (publicly available from SBA.gov), GHS-format safety data sheet for a common product (e.g., cleaning solution), business dictionary (Merriam-Webster Business Edition or equivalent), annotation worksheet | Instructor evaluates the annotation exercise and plain-language summary using a rubric; students must correctly identify all required fields in the SDS (100% accuracy on safety-critical items) and earn 80% or higher overall on the combined rubric. |
| 5 | Digital Tools for Small-Business Owners | 22 | lab | Students will create, format, save, and share a set of standard small-business documents using word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and cloud-storage applications, demonstrating file organization and basic cybersecurity habits. |
| Computers or tablets with internet access, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, cloud storage), software comparison matrix worksheet, phishing sample emails (instructor-created), password-creation framework handout, cybersecurity awareness resource (e.g., CISA Small Business Cybersecurity Corner, publicly available) | Instructor inspects all four completed digital documents against a formatting and functionality checklist (80% or higher required); software comparison matrix and cybersecurity exercises are evaluated pass/fail with all safety-critical cybersecurity items (phishing identification) requiring 100% accuracy. |
| 6 | Professional Communication: Written, Verbal, and Visual | 20 | demo | Students will produce a professional business email, a one-page executive summary, and deliver a two-minute elevator pitch that clearly and persuasively communicates a business idea to a professional audience. |
| Professional email template and rubric, executive summary structure guide, elevator pitch scoring rubric (instructor-created based on NFTE pitch evaluation criteria), video recording device or webcam for self-review, word processor, Toastmasters or NFTE communication resources (publicly available) | Email and executive summary are graded on rubrics requiring 80% or higher; elevator pitch is scored by instructor and two peers using a shared rubric, and students must achieve 80% aggregate score and demonstrate all required content elements to pass. |
| 7 | Career Readiness and Professional Identity for Entrepreneurs | 16 | field | Students will construct a personal career portfolio containing a formatted resume, a professional online or print profile, and a written self-assessment linking individual strengths to entrepreneurial career pathways recognized by the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential frameworks. |
| NFTE My Life self-assessment or equivalent career-assessment instrument, resume template (instructor-provided), professional profile platform (LinkedIn or equivalent), informational interview question guide, reflection paper template, career-pathway chart for entrepreneurship and small-business operations (instructor-created, referencing O*NET and NFTE frameworks) | Portfolio is evaluated using a three-part rubric (self-assessment reflection, resume, informational interview reflection) requiring 80% or higher overall; resume must contain all required sections with no factual errors and no spelling or grammar errors to pass. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA and Workplace Safety Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% or higher (20 of 25 questions correct); OSHA 10-Hour completion card required separately from the authorized provider | A 25-question multiple-choice written exam covering OSHA General Industry hazard categories, PPE selection, workers' rights, emergency action plan requirements, incident reporting, and first-aid/CPR principles, mapped to the foundational safety competency required for small-business operators. Questions are drawn from OSHA 10-Hour training content and the lesson scenarios completed during the course. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Business Math and Technical Reading Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% or higher (24 of 30 questions correct) | A 30-question written exam combining 20 business math computation problems (percentages, markup, break-even, cash flow, simple interest) and 10 technical-reading comprehension questions based on a provided sample invoice, lease excerpt, and regulatory notice. This exam maps to the Financial Literacy and Business Operations knowledge domains assessed on the Certiport ESB exam and the business-concept feasibility content area of the NFTE credential. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Career Portfolio Project | Project | 25% | 80% or higher on the combined portfolio rubric; resume must have zero factual, spelling, or grammar errors | Students submit a complete career portfolio containing: (1) a completed entrepreneurial self-assessment with a written strength-to-role mapping reflection, (2) a polished one-page resume tailored to an entrepreneurship or small-business role, and (3) a one-page informational interview reflection. The portfolio is evaluated on completeness, professional quality, accuracy, and depth of reflection, and serves as the foundation for the Capstone Project and Externship applications later in the program. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Professional Communication Oral Defense | Oral / panel | 25% | 80% or higher aggregate score across instructor and two peer evaluations; all required content elements must be present | Each student delivers a final three-minute integrated oral presentation combining the elevator pitch, a brief overview of their career portfolio, and a one-minute reflection on a workplace safety scenario relevant to their intended business type; the presentation is evaluated by the instructor and two trained peer reviewers using a shared rubric assessing content accuracy, clarity, professionalism, and responsiveness to one follow-up question. This assessment maps to the NFTE pitch-presentation competency and the Certiport ESB communication and professional-development exam areas. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
BUS-ENTR56-02 Trade course
Business Plan Development for Small Business
63 hr · $680 COMPLIMENTARY
Students develop a complete, investor-ready business plan for a real or realistic small-business concept, covering market research, financial projections, operations planning, and written and oral presentation. Every section is grounded in standard business-plan structure as recognized by the Small Business Administration and assessed against NFTE and Certiport ESB competency areas. By course end, each student possesses a working document they can present to lenders, mentors, or competition judges.
Outcomes- Conduct primary and secondary market research and summarize findings in a written market analysis section of a business plan.
- Construct a complete set of startup financial projections—including a startup cost estimate, 12-month income statement, and break-even analysis—using a spreadsheet tool.
- Write all standard sections of a small-business plan (executive summary, company description, market analysis, products/services, marketing and sales strategy, operations plan, management team, and financial plan) in professional business prose.
- Evaluate a competitor's business model using a structured framework and incorporate findings into a competitive analysis section.
- Deliver a timed oral pitch of a business plan to a panel, answering questions and defending financial assumptions.
- Identify the role a complete business plan plays in securing financing, satisfying licensing requirements, and guiding day-to-day operations—mapping to both NFTE and Certiport ESB exam domains.
Course text
Students develop a complete, investor-ready business plan for a real or realistic small-business concept, covering market research, financial projections, operations planning, and written and oral presentation. Every section is grounded in standard business-plan structure as recognized by the Small Business Administration and assessed against NFTE and Certiport ESB competency areas. By course end, each student possesses a working document they can present to lenders, mentors, or competition judges.
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Business Plan Purpose, Structure, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset; Market Research and Competitive Analysis; Financial Projections: Startup Costs, Revenue, and Break-Even; Writing the Complete Business Plan; Oral Pitch, Defense, and Credential Exam Alignment.
What competent looks like. Conduct primary and secondary market research and summarize findings in a written market analysis section of a business plan. Construct a complete set of startup financial projections—including a startup cost estimate, 12-month income statement, and break-even analysis—using a spreadsheet tool. Write all standard sections of a small-business plan (executive summary, company description, market analysis, products/services, marketing and sales strategy, operations plan, management team, and financial plan) in professional business prose. Evaluate a competitor's business model using a structured framework and incorporate findings into a competitive analysis section. Deliver a timed oral pitch of a business plan to a panel, answering questions and defending financial assumptions. Identify the role a complete business plan plays in securing financing, satisfying licensing requirements, and guiding day-to-day operations—mapping to both NFTE and Certiport ESB exam domains.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Plan Purpose, Structure, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset | 10 | theory | Students will identify each standard section of a small-business plan, explain why each section exists, and connect the plan's purpose to real financing and operations decisions. |
| SBA.gov sample business plans (printed or digital), NFTE Student Workbook chapters on business planning, Certiport ESB study guide domain: 'Business Plan Development,' whiteboard, annotation worksheet | Exit ticket: students correctly label all eight standard plan sections on a blank outline and write one sentence explaining each; pass = 7 of 8 sections correctly labeled and explained. |
| 2 | Market Research and Competitive Analysis | 14 | lab | Students will conduct structured primary and secondary market research for their own business concept and produce a written market analysis and competitive analysis section meeting professional standards. |
| Computers with internet access, Google Forms or paper survey templates, competitive analysis matrix template, U.S. Census Bureau and BLS websites bookmarked, research log template, NFTE workbook market research chapter | Instructor reviews each student's research log, survey summary, and competitive matrix; pass = at least three credible secondary sources cited correctly, survey results from 10+ respondents summarized accurately, and competitive matrix completed for 5 competitors with a written differentiation statement. |
| 3 | Financial Projections: Startup Costs, Revenue, and Break-Even | 16 | lab | Students will build a spreadsheet-based financial model that includes an itemized startup cost estimate, a 12-month projected income statement, and a calculated break-even point for their business concept. |
| Computers with spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets), starter financial template file, supplier websites for cost research, calculators, Certiport ESB study guide domain: 'Financial Literacy for Entrepreneurs,' printed break-even formula reference card | Instructor reviews each student's spreadsheet: pass = startup cost sheet with at least 10 itemized entries and sourced estimates, 12-month income statement with correct gross profit and net income formulas, and a correctly calculated break-even unit figure that matches the stated price and cost inputs; all formulas must be functional (no hard-coded totals). |
| 4 | Writing the Complete Business Plan | 15 | practice | Students will draft and revise all eight sections of their business plan into a single, coherent, professionally formatted document of no fewer than 12 pages. |
| Word processing software (Microsoft Word or Google Docs), business plan section checklist, peer feedback rubric, formatting style guide (SBA business plan guidelines), completed market research notes and financial spreadsheet from Lessons 2–3 | Instructor scores complete draft using the business plan rubric: pass = all eight sections present and substantive, executive summary present and accurate, financial figures consistent with spreadsheet, document professionally formatted, and an overall rubric score of at least 75 out of 100 points. |
| 5 | Oral Pitch, Defense, and Credential Exam Alignment | 8 | demo | Students will deliver a 5-to-7-minute business plan pitch to a panel and answer follow-up questions, demonstrating command of their plan's content and connecting plan sections to NFTE and Certiport ESB exam competency areas. |
| Presentation software, pitch rubric, panel evaluation form, timer, credential mapping worksheet cross-referencing NFTE competency framework and Certiport ESB exam blueprint, projector or large monitor | Pass = pitch score of at least 75 out of 100 on the panel rubric (covering content accuracy, clarity, time management, and quality of answers to follow-up questions) AND credential mapping worksheet completed with at least 6 of 8 plan sections correctly matched to an exam domain. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Plan Concepts Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 70% or higher (28 of 40 questions correct) | A 40-question written exam covering business plan sections and their purposes, market research methods, financial vocabulary (revenue, expense, gross profit, break-even, startup costs), and competitive analysis frameworks, aligned to NFTE Opportunity Recognition and Financial Literacy domains and Certiport ESB Business Plan and Financial Literacy exam areas. Students have 50 minutes; no notes permitted. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Business Plan Document and Oral Defense | Skills demonstration | 45% | 75 out of 100 on the combined document-plus-pitch rubric, with no section of the written plan scoring below 60% of its allocated points | The student submits the complete written business plan (all eight sections, formatted, with financial spreadsheet attached) and delivers the 5-to-7-minute panel pitch with Q&A; evaluators score content accuracy, financial consistency, professional presentation, and the student's ability to defend assumptions under questioning, mapping directly to both NFTE and Certiport ESB business planning competencies. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Research and Financial Modeling Lab Log | Log | 15% | All required entries present and at least 80% of checklist items marked complete and accurate by instructor review | Students maintain a running lab log throughout Lessons 2 and 3 documenting their market research sources and citations, survey instrument and tabulated results, competitive matrix, and all spreadsheet assumptions with their sources; the log demonstrates the process behind the final plan and is evaluated for completeness, source credibility, and numerical accuracy. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Professional and Ethical Conduct Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/Fail — all four criteria must be met; any single failure requires remediation before the course grade is awarded | Instructor verifies that the student's business plan and research log contain no plagiarized content (originality confirmed via instructor review or a plagiarism-detection tool), that all survey respondents were treated with voluntary informed participation, that financial projections contain no fabricated source citations, and that the student can verbally affirm understanding of basic data-privacy obligations when collecting customer information — reflecting the ethical and professional standards emphasized in both NFTE and Certiport ESB credential frameworks. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-03 Trade course
Business Licensing for Small-Business Owners
63 hr · $680 COMPLIMENTARY
This course teaches entrepreneurs how to identify, obtain, and maintain the federal, state, and local licenses, permits, and registrations required to operate a small business legally in the United States. Students research their specific business type, complete sample applications, and build a compliance calendar that can be used in their business plan and capstone project. Lessons align with the Certiport ESB competency area covering legal and regulatory requirements and the NFTE business planning framework's compliance component.
Outcomes- Identify the federal, state, and local licenses and permits required for at least two different small-business types and explain the consequences of operating without them.
- Complete a sample business entity registration, DBA (fictitious name) filing, and business license application accurately using official government forms.
- Distinguish among the most common business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S-corp) and explain how structure affects licensing, liability, and taxation.
- Use official government websites and databases (SBA.gov, your state's Secretary of State portal, local county/city clerk sites) to research licensing requirements independently.
- Construct a licensing compliance calendar that tracks renewal dates, fees, and responsible parties for a simulated small business.
- Explain basic workplace safety posting requirements — including required OSHA notices — that are part of legal compliance for any business with employees.
Course text
This course teaches entrepreneurs how to identify, obtain, and maintain the federal, state, and local licenses, permits, and registrations required to operate a small business legally in the United States. Students research their specific business type, complete sample applications, and build a compliance calendar that can be used in their business plan and capstone project. Lessons align with the Certiport ESB competency area covering legal and regulatory requirements and the NFTE business planning framework's compliance component.
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Why Licensing Matters: Legal Compliance as a Business Foundation; Business Structures and Entity Registration; Federal, State, and Local Permits: Research and Application; Zoning, Health, Safety Posting, and Industry-Specific Permits; Building a Licensing Compliance Calendar and Course Integration.
What competent looks like. Identify the federal, state, and local licenses and permits required for at least two different small-business types and explain the consequences of operating without them. Complete a sample business entity registration, DBA (fictitious name) filing, and business license application accurately using official government forms. Distinguish among the most common business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S-corp) and explain how structure affects licensing, liability, and taxation. Use official government websites and databases (SBA.gov, your state's Secretary of State portal, local county/city clerk sites) to research licensing requirements independently. Construct a licensing compliance calendar that tracks renewal dates, fees, and responsible parties for a simulated small business. Explain basic workplace safety posting requirements — including required OSHA notices — that are part of legal compliance for any business with employees.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Why Licensing Matters: Legal Compliance as a Business Foundation | 10 | theory | Students will explain the purpose of business licensing, describe the consequences of non-compliance (fines, forced closure, loss of contracts), and identify the three levels of government — federal, state, and local — that may each impose licensing requirements on a single business. |
| SBA.gov license-and-permit resource pages, printed case-study packets, computers or tablets with internet access, structured note-taking guide (instructor-prepared), whiteboard | Exit ticket: five-question short-answer quiz covering the three levels of licensing, two consequences of non-compliance, and the difference between a license and a permit; pass mark is 80 percent (4 of 5 correct). |
| 2 | Business Structures and Entity Registration | 14 | demo | Students will compare sole proprietorship, general partnership, LLC, and S-corporation structures on the dimensions of liability, formation requirements, and ongoing compliance obligations, and then demonstrate how to locate and interpret their state's entity registration instructions. |
| State Secretary of State website (live), IRS.gov Small Business Center, SBA.gov Choose Your Business Structure page, four-column comparison chart worksheet (instructor-prepared), computers or tablets | Completed and accurate comparison chart submitted for instructor review, plus a one-paragraph written justification for the role-play scenario; pass mark requires all four structures described correctly on at least three of four dimensions, and a legally accurate formation sequence of at least three steps. |
| 3 | Federal, State, and Local Permits: Research and Application | 17 | lab | Students will use official government sources to research the complete licensing and permit profile for a specific simulated business and accurately complete sample versions of at least three required application documents. |
| Blank sample government forms (DBA/fictitious name registration, general business license, seller's permit — sourced from official state and local websites), SBA.gov license lookup, state licensing portal, local county/city clerk website, peer audit checklist (instructor-prepared), computers or tablets | Instructor scores the completed three-form application packet using a rubric; pass mark is 80 percent — all required fields completed, no factual errors in business structure or jurisdiction, and at least two of three forms require no substantive corrections after peer audit. |
| 4 | Zoning, Health, Safety Posting, and Industry-Specific Permits | 12 | practice | Students will identify zoning and land-use restrictions relevant to a home-based or commercial business, describe at least two industry-specific license categories (food service, professional services, contractor), and list the workplace notices that federal law requires employers to post. |
| Municipal zoning map (publicly accessible online), gallery walk station cards with QR codes (instructor-prepared), DOL elaws Poster Advisor (www.dol.gov/elaws), OSHA Job Safety and Health poster reference, computers or tablets, student recording worksheet | Zoning exercise answer sheet scored for accuracy (pass: correct designation and correct yes/no for all three business types); posting compliance checklist scored on rubric requiring all mandatory federal posters identified with correct law citations; overall pass mark 80 percent on the combined score. |
| 5 | Building a Licensing Compliance Calendar and Course Integration | 10 | practice | Students will synthesize all course research into a professional licensing compliance calendar for their simulated business that tracks every required license and permit with its renewal date, fee, responsible party, and consequence of lapse, and will present it for peer and instructor review. |
| Spreadsheet template (Google Sheets or Excel), all research materials from prior lessons, peer evaluation form (instructor-prepared), projector or screen-sharing capability for presentations | Compliance calendar rubric scored by instructor: pass mark is 80 percent, requiring all identified licenses entered with accurate agency names, at least one deadline or renewal cycle per item, fee information with cited source, and a penalty column completed for every row; presentation is scored separately on clarity and accuracy, minimum passing score 80 percent. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 70 percent or higher (35 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer written exam covering the three levels of licensing jurisdiction, business structure comparisons, consequences of non-compliance, zoning concepts, industry-specific permit categories, and required federal workplace postings. Questions are aligned to the Certiport ESB domain covering legal and regulatory compliance and the NFTE framework's business-plan legal section. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| License Application Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Score of 80 percent or higher on instructor rubric; all required fields completed with no uncorrected factual errors | The student is given a new simulated business scenario not used in lab and must locate the required licenses using official government websites, then accurately complete two sample government application forms within a 90-minute supervised session. The instructor evaluates source selection, form accuracy, and completeness using a standardized rubric. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Licensing Compliance Calendar Lab Log | Log | 15% | 80 percent or higher on rubric; calendar must be free of invented agencies or fees and must cite sources for all entries | The student submits the compliance calendar built across Lessons 4 and 5, along with annotated source printouts or URLs for every entry. The log is evaluated for completeness, accuracy of agency names and renewal cycles, appropriate use of official sources, and the quality of the flagging notation for items requiring professional assistance. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Workplace Compliance Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | Pass — all required federal employer postings correctly identified with no omissions; fail — any required OSHA or DOL poster missing or misidentified | Using the DOL elaws Poster Advisor tool, the student produces a final workplace posting compliance checklist for a business scenario with employees and explains verbally to the instructor why each poster is legally required and where it must be displayed; this assessment is scored pass/fail to reflect the non-negotiable nature of required safety and labor-law postings. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-04 Trade course
Pricing and Estimating for Small-Business Operations
63 hr · $680 COMPLIMENTARY
Students develop the skills to accurately calculate costs, set profitable prices, and produce written estimates and quotes for small-business goods and services. Lessons integrate cost-of-goods analysis, break-even math, competitive research, and professional estimate documents aligned with real-world small-business practice. This course supports both the Certiport ESB and NFTE credential exam areas covering financial literacy, pricing strategy, and business viability.
Outcomes- Calculate total cost of goods sold, overhead allocation, and net profit margin for a small-business product or service using standard accounting math.
- Apply at least three pricing strategies—cost-plus, value-based, and competitive—and justify the appropriate strategy for a given business scenario.
- Produce a complete, professional written estimate or quote document that includes itemized costs, labor, markup, taxes, and terms.
- Perform a break-even analysis to determine the minimum unit sales volume needed to cover fixed and variable costs.
- Conduct structured competitor price research and use findings to position a product or service price within a target market.
- Identify and correct common estimating errors—scope creep, omitted costs, and arithmetic mistakes—that lead to financial loss.
Course text
Students develop the skills to accurately calculate costs, set profitable prices, and produce written estimates and quotes for small-business goods and services. Lessons integrate cost-of-goods analysis, break-even math, competitive research, and professional estimate documents aligned with real-world small-business practice. This course supports both the Certiport ESB and NFTE credential exam areas covering financial literacy, pricing strategy, and business viability.
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Cost Foundations: Fixed Costs, Variable Costs, and Cost of Goods Sold; Pricing Strategies: Cost-Plus, Value-Based, and Competitive Pricing; Break-Even Analysis and Profit Margin Calculations; Writing Professional Estimates and Quotes; Competitive Market Research and Pricing Decisions Capstone Integration.
What competent looks like. Calculate total cost of goods sold, overhead allocation, and net profit margin for a small-business product or service using standard accounting math. Apply at least three pricing strategies—cost-plus, value-based, and competitive—and justify the appropriate strategy for a given business scenario. Produce a complete, professional written estimate or quote document that includes itemized costs, labor, markup, taxes, and terms. Perform a break-even analysis to determine the minimum unit sales volume needed to cover fixed and variable costs. Conduct structured competitor price research and use findings to position a product or service price within a target market. Identify and correct common estimating errors—scope creep, omitted costs, and arithmetic mistakes—that lead to financial loss.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cost Foundations: Fixed Costs, Variable Costs, and Cost of Goods Sold | 12 | theory | Students will categorize business expenses as fixed or variable and correctly compute cost of goods sold (COGS) for a sample product or service. |
| Whiteboard and markers; printed expense-sorting worksheet; laptops or tablets with Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel; Certiport ESB Study Guide (Financial Literacy domain); NFTE Entrepreneurship textbook (Costs and Revenue chapter); calculator. | Exit ticket: students complete a 10-item cost-classification and COGS calculation quiz without notes; pass mark is 80% correct (8/10). Instructor reviews spreadsheets for accurate formula entry and correct column totals before the next lesson. |
| 2 | Pricing Strategies: Cost-Plus, Value-Based, and Competitive Pricing | 14 | demo | Students will explain and apply cost-plus, value-based, and competitive pricing strategies and select the most appropriate strategy for three distinct business scenarios. |
| Printed scenario cards for each group; pricing strategy reference sheet (cost-plus formula, markup vs. margin explanation); laptops for competitor research; whiteboard for instructor demo; Certiport ESB Study Guide (Pricing Strategy domain); calculator. | Each group's presentation is scored on a rubric (correct strategy selection = 2 pts, accurate calculation = 2 pts, clear justification = 1 pt; pass = 4/5). Individual price comparison chart collected and checked for three documented competitor prices and a logical pricing rationale; must receive instructor sign-off to proceed. |
| 3 | Break-Even Analysis and Profit Margin Calculations | 13 | lab | Students will calculate the break-even point in units and dollars and determine gross and net profit margins for a given business model using a spreadsheet model they build themselves. |
| Laptops with Google Sheets or Excel; printed break-even formula reference card; pre-structured spreadsheet template (instructor-provided file); three error-drill spreadsheet files; calculator; Certiport ESB Study Guide (Financial Literacy and Viability domains). | Completed student-built spreadsheet is checked against an answer key: all formulas must be functional, break-even unit calculation must be correct within rounding, and both margin calculations must be accurate; pass requires all three core calculations correct and no broken formulas. Error-identification drill must show all three errors found and corrected (3/3 required). |
| 4 | Writing Professional Estimates and Quotes | 14 | practice | Students will produce a complete, professional written estimate document that itemizes materials, labor, overhead, markup, applicable taxes, and payment terms for a realistic small-business service job. |
| Three printed sample estimate documents; annotated estimate checklist; blank professional estimate template (printed and digital); scope-of-work scenario handout; calculator; laptop for digital version; Certiport ESB Study Guide (Business Documents domain); NFTE textbook (Revenue and Profitability chapter). | Final revised estimate is scored on a 10-point rubric: all required fields present (3 pts), all calculations arithmetically correct (4 pts), markup and tax lines applied correctly (2 pts), professional formatting and complete payment terms (1 pt); pass mark is 8/10. Arithmetic errors of any kind in the totals column result in automatic revision before credit is awarded. |
| 5 | Competitive Market Research and Pricing Decisions Capstone Integration | 10 | field | Students will conduct structured primary and secondary competitor price research, synthesize findings into a written pricing recommendation, and present a complete estimate to a panel using data to support every price decision. |
| Competitor research data-collection form; laptop for online research; printed pricing recommendation memo template; completed estimate from Lesson 4 (revised as needed); rubric for panel presentation; access to SBA.gov or local Small Business Development Center resources for benchmark data. | Graded on combined rubric (25 points): research form with three documented competitor prices and one industry benchmark (5 pts), accurate break-even and margin figures in memo (8 pts), estimate document complete and arithmetically correct (7 pts), panel Q&A responses use correct numerical reasoning (5 pts); pass mark is 20/25. Any estimate with an arithmetic error in the total must be corrected before the course grade is finalized. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing and Estimating Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% correct (38/50 items) | A 50-item multiple-choice and short-answer written exam covering fixed vs. variable costs, COGS calculation, cost-plus and value-based pricing formulas, break-even analysis, profit margin definitions, and elements of a professional estimate. Items are aligned to the Certiport ESB Financial Literacy and Pricing Strategy exam domains and NFTE Revenue and Profitability competency areas. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Estimate Document Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | All calculations arithmetically correct; rubric score of 80% or higher (16/20 points) | Given a new scope-of-work scenario not used in class, students produce a complete professional estimate under timed conditions (45 minutes) with no notes, including itemized costs, labor, overhead, markup, applicable tax, grand total, and payment terms. The evaluator scores accuracy of all calculations and completeness of all required document elements. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Pricing and Estimating Lab Log | Log | 15% | All five lesson activities documented; at least four of five receive instructor sign-off as meeting accuracy standards | Students maintain a running lab log throughout the course documenting each major calculation activity—cost ledger, break-even model, competitor research data form, estimate drafts, and pricing recommendation memo—with dated entries, the business scenario used, and a brief self-reflection on errors corrected. The log demonstrates a progressive mastery of pricing math and professional document production. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Workplace and Document Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail: all critical items must be marked present; no critical item may be missing | Instructor conducts a structured review verifying that the student's estimate documents include no legally or financially hazardous omissions—such as missing tax lines, no expiration date on the quote, or unlabeled totals—and that the student can verbally explain how an incorrect estimate could cause financial harm or legal dispute for a small-business owner. This check also confirms the student completed the digital-tools safety orientation covering data backup and version control for financial documents. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-05 Trade course
Contracts for Small-Business Owners
62 hr · $670 COMPLIMENTARY
This course teaches entrepreneurs how to read, draft, negotiate, and manage the common contracts they will encounter when starting and operating a small business. Learners apply contract law fundamentals—offer, acceptance, consideration, and capacity—to real small-business scenarios including vendor agreements, service contracts, independent-contractor agreements, and leases. Mapped to NFTE certification competencies in business planning and operations and to Certiport ESB Domain 4 (Business Operations) and Domain 5 (Risk Management).
Outcomes- Identify the essential elements of a legally binding contract and explain when each element is present or absent in a given agreement.
- Read and interpret standard small-business contract clauses—including scope of work, payment terms, termination, indemnification, and dispute resolution—and flag provisions that require legal review.
- Draft a complete service agreement and an independent-contractor agreement using professional templates, filling in accurate business-specific details.
- Negotiate common contract terms using principled negotiation techniques and document agreed changes through written addenda.
- Manage contract obligations throughout the contract lifecycle, including tracking milestones, filing executed agreements, and handling breach situations appropriately.
- Apply ethical and legal standards—including plain-language requirements, prohibited clauses, and record-retention practices—to every contract the business signs or issues.
Course text
This course teaches entrepreneurs how to read, draft, negotiate, and manage the common contracts they will encounter when starting and operating a small business. Learners apply contract law fundamentals—offer, acceptance, consideration, and capacity—to real small-business scenarios including vendor agreements, service contracts, independent-contractor agreements, and leases. Mapped to NFTE certification competencies in business planning and operations and to Certiport ESB Domain 4 (Business Operations) and Domain 5 (Risk Management).
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Contract Law Fundamentals for Small-Business Owners; Reading and Interpreting Common Small-Business Contracts; Drafting Service Agreements and Independent-Contractor Agreements; Negotiating Contracts and Managing the Contract Lifecycle; Ethics, Compliance, Record-Keeping, and When to Hire an Attorney.
What competent looks like. Identify the essential elements of a legally binding contract and explain when each element is present or absent in a given agreement. Read and interpret standard small-business contract clauses—including scope of work, payment terms, termination, indemnification, and dispute resolution—and flag provisions that require legal review. Draft a complete service agreement and an independent-contractor agreement using professional templates, filling in accurate business-specific details. Negotiate common contract terms using principled negotiation techniques and document agreed changes through written addenda. Manage contract obligations throughout the contract lifecycle, including tracking milestones, filing executed agreements, and handling breach situations appropriately. Apply ethical and legal standards—including plain-language requirements, prohibited clauses, and record-retention practices—to every contract the business signs or issues.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Contract Law Fundamentals for Small-Business Owners | 12 | theory | Given a set of business scenarios, learners will correctly identify whether each of the five essential contract elements—offer, acceptance, consideration, capacity, and legality—is present and explain why the agreement is or is not enforceable. |
| Instructor slide deck; blank graphic organizer handout; three printed case-study packets per group; sample flawed contract handout; Uniform Commercial Code Article 1 plain-language summary (instructor-prepared); 'Contract Law for Non-Lawyers' reference chapter (provided by program); whiteboard and markers. | Scored written exercise graded with a provided rubric: learners must correctly identify at least 5 of 6 errors and provide legally sound corrective language for at least 4; minimum pass is 80%. Instructor circulates during group work and uses a checklist to confirm each learner can verbally state all five essential elements before the session ends. |
| 2 | Reading and Interpreting Common Small-Business Contracts | 14 | demo | Using four authentic small-business contract types, learners will locate and correctly explain every major clause—scope, payment, intellectual property, confidentiality, termination, indemnification, limitation of liability, and dispute resolution—and produce a written clause-by-clause summary memo for one contract. |
| Four anonymized authentic contract samples (commercial lease, vendor supply agreement, freelance-services contract, independent-contractor agreement) printed and digital; clause-analysis worksheet; memo template; legal-terms glossary handout; highlighters; instructor-annotated model lease projected on screen. | Clause-analysis worksheet scored against an answer key: learners must correctly paraphrase at least 85% of clauses and correctly rate risk level for at least 80% of clauses to pass. Summary memo graded with a rubric (accuracy, plain language, completeness, professional format); minimum passing score is 80%. Instructor reviews one worksheet per pair during the paired activity and provides immediate corrective feedback. |
| 3 | Drafting Service Agreements and Independent-Contractor Agreements | 14 | practice | Using a provided business scenario and professional templates, each learner will draft a complete, internally consistent service agreement and an independent-contractor agreement that include all legally required elements and reflect the specific facts of the assigned scenario. |
| Laptop or desktop computer with word-processing software (Microsoft Word or Google Docs); service-agreement template (instructor-developed, professionally reviewed); independent-contractor agreement template (instructor-developed, professionally reviewed); ten scenario cards; legal-terms reference sheet; IRS Publication 15-A excerpt on worker classification; peer-review checklist; printer for final hard copies. | Both drafted contracts graded against a detailed rubric assessing: presence of all five essential elements, accuracy of scenario-specific facts, clarity of scope language, completeness of payment terms, correct worker-classification language, and professional formatting. Minimum passing score is 80% on each document. Contracts with missing essential elements or factually inconsistent worker-classification language must be revised and resubmitted within one class session. |
| 4 | Negotiating Contracts and Managing the Contract Lifecycle | 12 | lab | Through a role-played negotiation and a contract-management simulation, learners will demonstrate principled negotiation techniques to reach a documented written agreement on at least three disputed contract terms and correctly execute contract-lifecycle tasks including filing, milestone tracking, addendum creation, and breach response. |
| Draft service agreement with intentional unfavorable clauses (printed, one per pair); addendum template; redlining guide; Google Sheets contract-tracking log template; situation cards (instructor-prepared set of 12); cure-letter template; change-order addendum template; termination-notice template; breach-scenario packet; reference packet on remedies; pens, highlighters. | Negotiation addendum assessed on a rubric: must reflect at least three mutually agreed changes in clear, unambiguous language, be signed and dated by both parties, and contain no contradictions with the base contract—minimum 80%. Contract-tracking log reviewed by instructor for completeness and correct document-type selection; all six situation-card responses must use the correct document type to pass. Breach-response memo graded for accuracy of remedy selection and quality of reasoning; minimum 80%. |
| 5 | Ethics, Compliance, Record-Keeping, and When to Hire an Attorney | 10 | field | After completing an interview with a practicing small-business attorney or experienced entrepreneur and an independent records-management exercise, learners will produce a written business contract-policy document that specifies their venture's procedures for contract review, storage, retention, and ethical compliance. |
| Video-conferencing platform or in-person classroom; guest-speaker Q&A preparation template; structured note-taking template; mock-document folder (12 printed documents); laptop with Google Drive or equivalent; calendar application; contract-policy document template; state bar association's plain-language resources (where available); program legal-terms glossary. | Structured notes from guest-speaker session reviewed for completeness: learner must capture all five topic areas with at least two specific takeaways each—pass/fail, all five required. Digital filing system inspected by instructor against a checklist: correct folder hierarchy, consistent naming convention, all 12 documents correctly placed, and three calendar alerts confirmed active—minimum 90% of items correct to pass. Contract-policy document graded on a rubric assessing completeness (all five required policy elements present), clarity, and practical applicability; minimum passing score is 80%. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract Law and Clause Interpretation Written Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% or higher (40 of 50 points) | A 50-question written examination covering contract formation elements, Statute of Frauds, types of contracts, common clause definitions (indemnification, force majeure, liquidated damages, etc.), worker-classification rules, breach and remedies, and ethical obligations. Questions are drawn from all five lessons and are formatted as multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer to align with both NFTE certification competencies and Certiport ESB Domain 4 and Domain 5 exam question styles. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Contract Drafting and Negotiation Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Minimum 80% on each rubric (drafting rubric and negotiation rubric scored separately; both must be passed) | The learner is given a new business scenario not previously seen in class and must draft a complete service agreement and negotiate one disputed clause with the instructor (acting as the counterparty), document the agreed change in a signed addendum, and verbally explain every major clause of their drafted contract to the instructor panel. Evaluators use a rubric assessing legal accuracy, clarity, professional format, negotiation technique, and verbal articulation; this demonstration maps directly to NFTE business-plan presentation competencies and Certiport ESB Domain 4 performance indicators. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Contract Management Lab Log | Log | 15% | All required entries complete and accurate; minimum 80% of situation-card responses use the correct document type and contain appropriate language | Learners submit their completed Google Sheets contract-tracking log from Lesson 4, along with all written responses to the 12 situation cards (cure letters, change-order addenda, termination notices, and breach-response memo), and their digital filing system with evidence of three active calendar alerts. The log and documents are reviewed against a master answer key for completeness, correct document-type selection, and professional language quality. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Safety and Compliance Check: Ethical and Legal Standards in Business Contracting | Safety audit | 15% | Pass on all four criteria (any one failure requires remediation before course completion credit is awarded) | A structured oral and written compliance check in which the learner must: (1) correctly identify three provided contract clauses as ethical/acceptable, ethically problematic, or potentially unenforceable and explain why; (2) demonstrate that their business contract-policy document includes a procedure for handling ethically questionable clauses; (3) confirm they can locate and articulate when their state requires a written contract under the Statute of Frauds; and (4) attest in writing that all contracts they draft will include honest and accurate representations of fact. This check satisfies the program-wide ethical and legal safety standard and maps to NFTE professional-conduct competencies. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-06 Trade course
Business Insurance for Small-Business Owners
62 hr · $670 COMPLIMENTARY
This course teaches entrepreneurs how to identify, evaluate, purchase, and manage the insurance coverages required to protect a small business, its employees, customers, and assets. Learners analyze policy types, compare quotes, calculate premiums and deductibles, file claims, and meet legal coverage requirements common across US states. Mapped lessons support the Certiport ESB exam domain on risk management and the NFTE certification area on business planning and financial management.
Outcomes- Identify and explain the purpose of at least six common small-business insurance types, including general liability, property, workers' compensation, professional liability, commercial auto, and business interruption coverage.
- Calculate premium estimates, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs using industry-standard rating factors and compare at least two sample quotes to select appropriate coverage for a given business scenario.
- Read and interpret key sections of a commercial insurance policy, including declarations page, insuring agreement, exclusions, conditions, and endorsements, with at least 80% accuracy on a policy-analysis exercise.
- Explain the legal requirements for workers' compensation and general liability insurance as they apply to small businesses, and identify consequences of operating without required coverage.
- Complete a sample first-notice-of-loss claim form and describe the claims process from incident documentation through settlement.
- Develop a written risk-management plan for a sample small business that maps identified risks to appropriate coverages and justifies coverage limits and deductible choices.
Course text
This course teaches entrepreneurs how to identify, evaluate, purchase, and manage the insurance coverages required to protect a small business, its employees, customers, and assets. Learners analyze policy types, compare quotes, calculate premiums and deductibles, file claims, and meet legal coverage requirements common across US states. Mapped lessons support the Certiport ESB exam domain on risk management and the NFTE certification area on business planning and financial management.
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Risk, Liability, and Why Small Businesses Need Insurance; Reading and Understanding a Commercial Insurance Policy; Insurance Math: Premiums, Deductibles, Limits, and Cost Comparison; Legal Requirements, Workers' Compensation, and Claims Process; Building a Business Risk-Management Plan.
What competent looks like. Identify and explain the purpose of at least six common small-business insurance types, including general liability, property, workers' compensation, professional liability, commercial auto, and business interruption coverage. Calculate premium estimates, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs using industry-standard rating factors and compare at least two sample quotes to select appropriate coverage for a given business scenario. Read and interpret key sections of a commercial insurance policy, including declarations page, insuring agreement, exclusions, conditions, and endorsements, with at least 80% accuracy on a policy-analysis exercise. Explain the legal requirements for workers' compensation and general liability insurance as they apply to small businesses, and identify consequences of operating without required coverage. Complete a sample first-notice-of-loss claim form and describe the claims process from incident documentation through settlement. Develop a written risk-management plan for a sample small business that maps identified risks to appropriate coverages and justifies coverage limits and deductible choices.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Risk, Liability, and Why Small Businesses Need Insurance | 12 | theory | Given a set of small-business scenarios, the learner will categorize business risks as insurable or non-insurable and match each insurable risk to the correct insurance type with at least 80% accuracy. |
| Whiteboard and markers, printed risk-identification worksheets, incident scenario cards, introductory chapters from the SBA 'Insurance for Small Businesses' guidance (sba.gov), NFTE Business Plan Guide (risk section), sample declarations pages from two commercial insurers (generic/sanitized), learner notebooks | Scored risk-identification worksheet: learner correctly categorizes at least 16 of 20 scenarios (80%) and correctly names the appropriate coverage type; instructor reviews jigsaw summaries for factual accuracy before teach-back. |
| 2 | Reading and Understanding a Commercial Insurance Policy | 12 | demo | Given a sample commercial general liability (CGL) policy packet, the learner will locate and interpret the declarations page, insuring agreement, exclusions, conditions, and at least one endorsement, explaining each section's practical meaning in plain language with at least 80% accuracy on a guided analysis rubric. |
| Printed and projected sanitized sample CGL policy (ISO standard form used for instructional purposes), five-color highlighter sets, policy annotation guide handout, pair question cards, business profile scenario handout, ESB exam reference list of policy vocabulary | Policy analysis rubric scored by instructor: learner must correctly identify and explain all five policy sections and answer at least four of five coverage questions correctly (80%); gap-analysis memo must name at least two valid gaps with supporting policy citations. |
| 3 | Insurance Math: Premiums, Deductibles, Limits, and Cost Comparison | 14 | lab | Using provided rating worksheets and two sample quote documents, the learner will calculate annual premium costs, total out-of-pocket exposure under two deductible scenarios, and cost-per-unit-of-coverage ratios, and will select the better-value policy with written justification, achieving at least 80% accuracy on all calculations. |
| Printed premium calculation worksheets with generic rate tables, deductible scenario handout, two sanitized sample insurance quotes, laptops or tablets with Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel, calculators, math reference sheet (percentage, ratio, rounding conventions), ESB exam math domain outline | Calculation worksheet scored for accuracy: at least 80% of numerical answers correct; quote comparison spreadsheet checked by instructor for formula accuracy and complete metric table; written recommendation must correctly identify the better-value policy and cite at least two numeric reasons. |
| 4 | Legal Requirements, Workers' Compensation, and Claims Process | 12 | practice | The learner will explain state-level workers' compensation requirements and the general liability standards most commonly applied to small businesses, and will correctly complete a sample first-notice-of-loss form for a given workplace incident scenario, demonstrating all required fields with no critical omissions. |
| State workers' compensation board website access (computer or printout), SBA.gov small-business insurance guidance printout, blank first-notice-of-loss sample form (generic/instructional version), completed sample form for comparison, critical-fields checklist, role-play scenario cards, NFTE Business Plan risk section reference | Completed first-notice-of-loss form evaluated against critical-fields checklist: all six required fields (incident description, date/time, parties involved, witness information, injury/damage description, reporter signature block) must be present and internally consistent — any critical omission is a resubmit; fact sheet graded for accuracy on three required data points (who must carry, threshold, penalty) with all three correct required to pass. |
| 5 | Building a Business Risk-Management Plan | 12 | practice | Given a detailed small-business profile, the learner will produce a written risk-management plan that identifies at least five business risks, maps each to an appropriate insurance coverage type with a justified coverage limit and deductible choice, estimates total annual insurance cost, and identifies at least one risk-reduction strategy, earning a score of at least 80% on the risk-management plan rubric. |
| Fictional small-business profile handout (landscaping company scenario), blank risk inventory table template, coverage selection and cost estimation template, generic rate reference sheet, risk-management plan rubric, peer-review checklist, ESB exam risk management domain outline, NFTE business plan checklist (financial and risk sections) | Final risk-management plan scored on rubric (five elements each worth 20 points): learner must score at least 80 out of 100 total; cost estimate must be internally consistent with selected coverages and limits; any plan missing more than one required element is returned for revision before a passing score is recorded. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Concepts Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 80% (40 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering insurance types and purposes, policy terminology (declarations, insuring agreement, exclusions, conditions, endorsements), legal requirements including workers' compensation, the claims process, and risk-management vocabulary. Questions are mapped to Certiport ESB risk management domain objectives and NFTE financial management content standards. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Quote Comparison and Policy Analysis Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | 80% on rubric (at least 24 of 30 points); all critical calculation fields must be arithmetically correct | Learners receive a previously unseen two-quote package for a new fictional business and a sanitized policy excerpt; they have 45 minutes to build a comparison spreadsheet, calculate five financial metrics, identify two policy exclusions relevant to the business, and deliver a three-minute verbal recommendation to the instructor acting as the business owner. The rubric assesses calculation accuracy, correct exclusion identification, and clarity of recommendation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Risk-Management Plan Lab Log | Log | 15% | 80% on rubric (at least 40 of 50 points); cost estimate must be internally consistent; no required element may be entirely absent | The graded final version of the risk-management plan produced in Lesson 5, evaluated on five equally weighted elements: completeness of risk inventory (at least five risks identified), accuracy of coverage mapping, quality of written justification for limits and deductibles, internal consistency of the annual cost estimate, and inclusion of at least one concrete risk-reduction strategy beyond purchasing insurance. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Claims Documentation and Legal-Requirement Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | Pass requires: all six critical fields of the first-notice-of-loss form correctly completed AND all three workers' compensation fact-sheet data points accurate; any critical omission or factual error on either component requires a full redo | A two-part competency check completed without notes: learners complete a first-notice-of-loss form for a new incident scenario in 20 minutes, then answer five short questions verifying they can state who must carry workers' compensation, the general consequence of non-compliance, and the difference between an occurrence and a claims-made policy. This check ensures learners can accurately document an incident and understand their legal obligations before moving to the marketing course. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-07 Trade course
Marketing for Small Business
62 hr · $670 COMPLIMENTARY
Students learn how to plan, execute, and evaluate marketing strategies suited to a small or startup business, covering branding, digital and traditional channels, customer targeting, and budget management. Lessons connect directly to the Certiport ESB marketing competency domain and the NFTE business plan marketing section. Emphasis is placed on affordable, measurable tactics that a sole proprietor or small team can realistically implement.
Outcomes- Develop a written marketing plan that identifies target customers, positioning, channels, and a realistic budget for a small business.
- Create consistent brand assets—including a logo concept, tagline, color palette, and value proposition statement—that reflect a defined brand identity.
- Build and manage a basic digital presence using a website platform and at least two social media channels, applying platform-specific best practices.
- Design and execute a simple promotional campaign, measure its results using available analytics, and recommend data-driven adjustments.
- Explain consumer behavior concepts—needs, wants, buying motivations, and the customer journey—and apply them to messaging and channel selection.
- Operate all marketing-related digital tools safely and ethically, respecting intellectual property, data privacy regulations, and truth-in-advertising standards.
Course text
Students learn how to plan, execute, and evaluate marketing strategies suited to a small or startup business, covering branding, digital and traditional channels, customer targeting, and budget management. Lessons connect directly to the Certiport ESB marketing competency domain and the NFTE business plan marketing section. Emphasis is placed on affordable, measurable tactics that a sole proprietor or small team can realistically implement.
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Marketing Foundations and Consumer Behavior; Brand Identity and Value Proposition; Digital Marketing: Website, Social Media, and Email; Promotional Campaigns, Advertising Basics, and Analytics; Marketing Ethics, Intellectual Property, and the Marketing Plan.
What competent looks like. Develop a written marketing plan that identifies target customers, positioning, channels, and a realistic budget for a small business. Create consistent brand assets—including a logo concept, tagline, color palette, and value proposition statement—that reflect a defined brand identity. Build and manage a basic digital presence using a website platform and at least two social media channels, applying platform-specific best practices. Design and execute a simple promotional campaign, measure its results using available analytics, and recommend data-driven adjustments. Explain consumer behavior concepts—needs, wants, buying motivations, and the customer journey—and apply them to messaging and channel selection. Operate all marketing-related digital tools safely and ethically, respecting intellectual property, data privacy regulations, and truth-in-advertising standards.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marketing Foundations and Consumer Behavior | 12 | theory | Students will define core marketing concepts—the marketing mix (4 Ps), market segmentation, target market, and the customer journey—and explain how each applies to a small business context. |
| Whiteboard, printed customer persona templates, printed customer journey map worksheets, Certiport ESB Exam Objectives Guide (Marketing domain), NFTE curriculum marketing chapter, internet-connected devices for business research. | Exit quiz of 15 multiple-choice questions covering the 4 Ps, segmentation types, and customer journey stages; students must score 75% or higher to proceed. Written reflection graded with a rubric requiring correct use of at least four key vocabulary terms and a logical comparison. |
| 2 | Brand Identity and Value Proposition | 12 | demo | Students will construct a basic brand identity package—including a value proposition statement, tagline, color palette, and logo concept—and explain how each element communicates the business's unique position to its target market. |
| Internet-connected devices, Canva accounts (free), Coolors website, printed value proposition formula handout, printed brand checklist, sample brand style guides from public sources (e.g., publicly available small-business examples), presentation screen. | Instructor evaluates each student's brand package (logo concept, color palette, tagline, and value proposition) against a four-criterion rubric: clarity of target audience, consistency of visual elements, distinctiveness of value proposition, and professional presentation. All four criteria must be rated 'meets expectations' or higher to pass. |
| 3 | Digital Marketing: Website, Social Media, and Email | 16 | lab | Students will build a functional single-page small-business website using a no-code platform, set up two social media business profiles with complete information, and draft an email marketing sequence of three messages, following best practices for content, accessibility, and data privacy. |
| Internet-connected devices, Google Sites or equivalent no-code website builder, Mailchimp free-tier accounts, social media platforms (instructor-approved), printed content calendar template, printed CAN-SPAM compliance checklist, Certiport ESB digital marketing reference materials. | Instructor reviews the published website (checklist of six required elements), the two completed social profiles (checklist of five required fields each), and the three-email sequence (rubric covering subject line, call to action, unsubscribe link, and brand consistency). Students must meet all checklist items and score at least 75% on the email rubric to pass the lab. |
| 4 | Promotional Campaigns, Advertising Basics, and Analytics | 14 | practice | Students will plan a small promotional campaign with a defined goal, budget, channel mix, and timeline; execute a scaled practice version; and interpret basic analytics data to evaluate campaign effectiveness and recommend one evidence-based improvement. |
| Internet-connected devices, social media business profiles from Lesson 3, printed campaign brief template, printed analytics log sheet, Trello free accounts, platform analytics dashboards, presentation screen for debrief discussion. | Campaign brief is graded on a rubric: SMART goal present, realistic budget, two or more channels, and timeline with dates—all four required to pass. Analytics worksheet must correctly identify four data points and the written recommendation must reference at least one specific metric; instructor scores against a three-criterion rubric with a 75% passing threshold. |
| 5 | Marketing Ethics, Intellectual Property, and the Marketing Plan | 8 | theory | Students will identify key legal and ethical obligations in marketing—including truth-in-advertising standards, intellectual property basics, and consumer data privacy considerations—and integrate all prior lessons into a complete, written small-business marketing plan. |
| Printed case study packet, printed IP audit checklist, printed marketing plan outline template, internet-connected devices, presentation screen, Certiport ESB Exam Objectives Guide (Ethics and Legal domain), NFTE marketing plan rubric. | Marketing plan is evaluated on a five-criterion rubric (target market, brand identity, digital presence, campaign plan, ethics/IP compliance), with each criterion scored on a three-point scale; students must achieve at least 75% of total available points to pass. Oral presentation is assessed pass/fail on whether the student can correctly answer both instructor questions using content from their plan. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Concepts Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% correct (38 of 50 questions) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering the 4 Ps, market segmentation, consumer behavior, branding, digital marketing channels, campaign planning, analytics interpretation, and marketing ethics. Questions are drawn from Certiport ESB Marketing domain objectives and NFTE marketing competencies to ensure alignment with both credential exams. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Marketing Plan Presentation Skills Demo | Skills demonstration | 45% | Score of 75% or higher on a five-criterion rubric; all five sections of the plan must be present | Each student delivers a ten-minute presentation of their complete small-business marketing plan—including target market, brand identity, digital presence, promotional campaign, and analytics reflection—to a panel of the instructor and at least one peer evaluator, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer period. The demo assesses the student's ability to explain and defend marketing decisions using trade-appropriate vocabulary and evidence from their own analytics data. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Digital Marketing Lab Log | Log | 15% | All six required entries present and each entry rated 'meets expectations' or higher on the rubric | Students maintain a running lab log throughout Lessons 3 and 4 documenting six milestones: website published, social profile 1 complete, social profile 2 complete, email sequence drafted and compliance-checked, campaign brief approved, and analytics worksheet completed. Each entry includes a screenshot or link as evidence, a two-to-three sentence reflection on what was learned, and notation of any revision made in response to instructor feedback. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Marketing Ethics and IP Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% of flagged IP issues corrected; 80% or higher on the ethics scenario quiz | Students complete a ten-question scenario-based quiz in which they identify whether a described marketing practice is legally and ethically acceptable and explain the rule that applies; separately, they submit their corrected IP audit checklist demonstrating that all brand assets in their marketing plan use original, licensed, or properly attributed content. Both components must meet the passing standard, as ethical compliance in marketing has direct legal and professional consequences for a small-business owner. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-08 Trade course
Small-Business Taxes: Obligations, Filing, and Compliance
62 hr · $670 COMPLIMENTARY
Students learn how federal, state, and local tax obligations apply to a small business across common entity types, including self-employment tax, estimated quarterly payments, sales tax, payroll tax basics, and record-keeping requirements. Emphasis is placed on reading official IRS publications, using digital tools to organize tax records, and making sound decisions to stay compliant while minimizing lawful liability. Lessons map directly to the Certiport ESB domain covering financial management and the NFTE credential area covering business financials and legal compliance.
Outcomes- Identify the major federal tax obligations—income tax, self-employment tax, estimated quarterly payments, and payroll taxes—that apply to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and single-member LLCs.
- Classify business income and expenses into correct IRS categories and calculate estimated taxable income using Schedule C logic and standard deduction categories.
- Calculate and record sales tax collection and remittance obligations for a product-based small business operating in a state with a sales tax.
- Set up and maintain a digital record-keeping system that produces the source documents needed for accurate tax filing and withstands an audit review.
- Interpret key IRS publications and official state tax agency guidance to locate answers to common small-business tax questions without relying on unverified sources.
- Develop a quarterly tax-planning calendar that schedules estimated payment due dates, payroll deposit deadlines, and annual filing deadlines for a sample small business.
Course text
Students learn how federal, state, and local tax obligations apply to a small business across common entity types, including self-employment tax, estimated quarterly payments, sales tax, payroll tax basics, and record-keeping requirements. Emphasis is placed on reading official IRS publications, using digital tools to organize tax records, and making sound decisions to stay compliant while minimizing lawful liability. Lessons map directly to the Certiport ESB domain covering financial management and the NFTE credential area covering business financials and legal compliance.
How the course runs. 5 blocks: Tax Landscape for Small-Business Owners: Entity Types, Key Terms, and Compliance Overview; Income, Expenses, and Schedule C: Calculating Small-Business Taxable Income; Estimated Quarterly Taxes and Payroll Tax Basics; Sales Tax, Business Licenses, and State/Local Tax Compliance; Record-Keeping Systems, Audit Readiness, and Tax-Planning Calendar.
What competent looks like. Identify the major federal tax obligations—income tax, self-employment tax, estimated quarterly payments, and payroll taxes—that apply to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and single-member LLCs. Classify business income and expenses into correct IRS categories and calculate estimated taxable income using Schedule C logic and standard deduction categories. Calculate and record sales tax collection and remittance obligations for a product-based small business operating in a state with a sales tax. Set up and maintain a digital record-keeping system that produces the source documents needed for accurate tax filing and withstands an audit review. Interpret key IRS publications and official state tax agency guidance to locate answers to common small-business tax questions without relying on unverified sources. Develop a quarterly tax-planning calendar that schedules estimated payment due dates, payroll deposit deadlines, and annual filing deadlines for a sample small business.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tax Landscape for Small-Business Owners: Entity Types, Key Terms, and Compliance Overview | 12 | theory | Students will correctly match at least five common small-business entity types to their corresponding federal tax treatment and list the primary tax obligations each owner-type faces. |
| IRS Publication 334 (current edition, free at irs.gov), IRS Publication 505 (Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax), entity-type scenario cards (instructor-prepared), whiteboard or shared digital calendar tool (Google Calendar or similar), student notebooks. | Exit-ticket quiz of 10 matching questions linking entity type to tax treatment and key deadlines; pass mark is 7 of 10 correct. |
| 2 | Income, Expenses, and Schedule C: Calculating Small-Business Taxable Income | 14 | lab | Students will complete a practice Schedule C using a provided set of business income and expense records, correctly categorizing items and arriving at net profit or loss within a 5% margin of the instructor's answer key. |
| Blank Schedule C and Schedule SE (downloaded from irs.gov), IRS Publication 334, simulated source-document packet (instructor-prepared), calculators, spreadsheet software (Google Sheets or Excel) for optional cross-check, student lab binders. | Completed Schedule C compared to instructor answer key; pass mark is correct categorization of at least 26 of 30 documents and a final net-profit figure within 5% of the key value. |
| 3 | Estimated Quarterly Taxes and Payroll Tax Basics | 12 | demo | Students will calculate the four quarterly estimated tax payment amounts for a sample business and explain the employer payroll tax deposit process, correctly identifying at least three payroll tax types and their associated IRS forms. |
| IRS Form 1040-ES with worksheet (current year, irs.gov), IRS Publication 15 (Employer's Tax Guide), EFTPS reference handout (from eftps.gov), graphic organizer (instructor-prepared), calculators, projector. | Students submit their completed 1040-ES worksheet and payroll graphic organizer; pass mark is a correct quarterly payment calculation (within $10 of key) and accurate identification of at least 3 of 4 payroll tax types with correct form numbers. |
| 4 | Sales Tax, Business Licenses, and State/Local Tax Compliance | 12 | practice | Students will determine the sales tax obligations for a sample product-based business in their state, calculate the tax due on a set of transactions, and identify the correct state agency and reporting form for remittance. |
| State department of revenue website access (computers or tablets), sales transaction worksheet (instructor-prepared), blank or sample state sales tax return form, research template (instructor-prepared), IRS Publication 334 for federal cross-reference. | Sales tax calculation worksheet graded against answer key (pass mark: at least 12 of 15 transactions correct) and compliance memos reviewed for accurate citation of state rules (pass mark: each memo references a real, verifiable rule). |
| 5 | Record-Keeping Systems, Audit Readiness, and Tax-Planning Calendar | 12 | lab | Students will build a functioning digital record-keeping folder system, reconcile a month of sample transactions against a bank statement, and produce a completed annual tax-deadline calendar for a named sample business. |
| Computers with internet access and Google Drive or OneDrive, sample digital document packet (instructor-prepared), sample bank statement and transaction register (instructor-prepared), IRS Publication 583 (Starting a Business and Keeping Records), calendar template or Google Calendar, peer-review checklist. | Instructor reviews digital folder structure against the required checklist (pass mark: all required folders present, each populated with at least one correctly categorized document), bank reconciliation is within $0 of the correct balance, and tax calendar contains all eight required federal deadlines plus correct state dates; overall pass mark is satisfactory on all three components. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small-Business Tax Knowledge Exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% (38 of 50 questions correct) | A 50-question multiple-choice and short-answer exam covering federal entity tax classifications, Schedule C income and expense categories, self-employment and payroll tax types, sales tax concepts, and record-keeping requirements; questions are written at the application level and reference realistic small-business scenarios to align with Certiport ESB financial management and NFTE business financials exam domains. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Schedule C and Estimated Tax Skills Demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Correctly categorized expenses within 5% of key value on Schedule C; quarterly estimated payments within $10 of key; rated Satisfactory by instructor on IRS form accuracy rubric | Students receive a new set of simulated source documents for an unseen sole proprietor scenario and independently complete a Schedule C, calculate net profit, compute self-employment tax using Schedule SE logic, and determine four quarterly estimated payments using Form 1040-ES; the instructor evaluates accuracy using a line-by-line rubric and the student must verbally explain two categorization decisions. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Tax Record-Keeping Lab Log | Log | 15% | All five required log entries present and complete; digital folder structure meets checklist; bank reconciliation error of $0; calendar includes all required deadlines — overall instructor rating of Satisfactory | Throughout the course, students maintain a lab log with dated entries documenting their folder setup, each categorization decision, the bank reconciliation summary, sales tax calculations, and the final tax-planning calendar; the log is submitted at course end and reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and use of authoritative sources (IRS publications, state agency guidance). Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Compliance and Deadline Safety Check | Safety audit | 15% | 100% on the six critical compliance items; no invented or unverified rules cited | A structured checklist review in which the instructor verbally presents six common small-business compliance scenarios (missed estimated payment, failure to collect sales tax, unreported 1099 income, etc.) and the student must correctly identify the consequence, the corrective action, and the authoritative source for the answer; any response citing an invented rule, incorrect penalty amount, or unverifiable source is an automatic fail requiring remediation and recheck. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
BUS-ENTR56-09 Capstone
Capstone Project: Launch-Ready Business
108 hr · $1,080 COMPLIMENTARY
Students integrate every prior course—business planning, licensing, pricing, contracts, insurance, marketing, and taxes—into a complete, investor-ready business launch package for a real or highly realistic small business concept. The capstone culminates in a written business plan, a professional portfolio of operational documents, and a formal oral defense before a panel of evaluators drawn from the business community and faculty. Successful completion demonstrates readiness to sit the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential exams and to operate an actual small business.
Outcomes- Produce a complete, investor-ready business plan that addresses market analysis, competitive positioning, startup costs, revenue projections, and operational structure for a viable small business concept.
- Compile a professional operations portfolio containing correctly completed government forms, a pricing/estimating worksheet, a sample client contract, a certificate of insurance summary, and a marketing plan with at least two executed promotional samples.
- Deliver a 10-to-15-minute oral defense of the business concept to a panel, fielding questions on financial assumptions, legal compliance, and marketing strategy with clear, evidence-supported responses.
- Apply ethical business decision-making and workplace-safety awareness—including OSHA hazard identification relevant to the chosen business type—throughout all planning documents.
- Demonstrate digital-tool proficiency by building a financial model in spreadsheet software and presenting the defense using professional slide-deck software.
- Evaluate peer business plans using a standardized rubric, providing written feedback that identifies at least two strengths and two areas for improvement in each plan reviewed.
Course text
Students integrate every prior course—business planning, licensing, pricing, contracts, insurance, marketing, and taxes—into a complete, investor-ready business launch package for a real or highly realistic small business concept. The capstone culminates in a written business plan, a professional portfolio of operational documents, and a formal oral defense before a panel of evaluators drawn from the business community and faculty. Successful completion demonstrates readiness to sit the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential exams and to operate an actual small business.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Concept Validation and Project Scope; Integrated Business Plan and Financial Model; Operations Portfolio Assembly; Oral Defense Preparation and Presentation.
What competent looks like. Produce a complete, investor-ready business plan that addresses market analysis, competitive positioning, startup costs, revenue projections, and operational structure for a viable small business concept. Compile a professional operations portfolio containing correctly completed government forms, a pricing/estimating worksheet, a sample client contract, a certificate of insurance summary, and a marketing plan with at least two executed promotional samples. Deliver a 10-to-15-minute oral defense of the business concept to a panel, fielding questions on financial assumptions, legal compliance, and marketing strategy with clear, evidence-supported responses. Apply ethical business decision-making and workplace-safety awareness—including OSHA hazard identification relevant to the chosen business type—throughout all planning documents. Demonstrate digital-tool proficiency by building a financial model in spreadsheet software and presenting the defense using professional slide-deck software. Evaluate peer business plans using a standardized rubric, providing written feedback that identifies at least two strengths and two areas for improvement in each plan reviewed.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concept Validation and Project Scope | 20 | lab | Students select a viable business concept, validate it through primary and secondary research, and produce a written project scope document that defines the business model, target customer, and success metrics for the capstone. |
| Business Model Canvas template, internet-connected computer, spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets), word-processing software, U.S. Small Business Administration website (sba.gov), local chamber of commerce resources, student notebook | Instructor reviews the completed Business Model Canvas and competitive-analysis summary for logical consistency, use of real data, and a clearly defined target customer; passing standard is 75% on the Concept Validation Rubric, with any critical gap (no target customer defined, no competitive data) requiring revision before the student advances. |
| 2 | Integrated Business Plan and Financial Model | 36 | lab | Students draft a complete written business plan—including executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management, product or service description, marketing strategy, and three-year financial projections—using spreadsheet software to build the underlying financial model. |
| Business plan outline template, spreadsheet software, word-processing software, NFTE Business Plan Guide, Certiport ESB Study Guide (entrepreneurship and small business sections), sample completed business plans approved by instructor, peer-review rubric | Instructor scores the final written business plan on the Program Business Plan Rubric (executive summary, market analysis, financial model accuracy, professional writing); passing standard is 75% overall with no section scoring below 60%; the financial model must balance and the break-even quantity must be mathematically correct. |
| 3 | Operations Portfolio Assembly | 30 | practice | Students compile a professional operations portfolio that demonstrates legal, financial, and operational readiness by producing correctly completed or accurately simulated versions of each operational document covered in prior courses. |
| State and local government websites for license/permit forms, contract template from Course 5, Canva or equivalent free design tool, printer or PDF export, insurance summary template, tax calendar template from Course 8, three-ring binder or digital folder for portfolio assembly, portfolio assembly checklist | Instructor checks each of the five required portfolio sections (licensing forms, pricing worksheet, client contract, insurance summary, marketing plan with two samples) against the Portfolio Completeness Checklist; all five sections must be present and each must score 75% or higher on the corresponding section rubric; any missing section earns an Incomplete until submitted. |
| 4 | Oral Defense Preparation and Presentation | 22 | field | Students deliver a 10-to-15-minute formal oral defense of their business plan and portfolio to a panel of at least two evaluators, field panelist questions for up to 10 minutes, and demonstrate command of the financial, legal, and marketing content across the full program. |
| Slide-deck software (Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides), Defense Evaluation Rubric, evaluator question bank, timer, projector or large-screen display, panel score sheets, student reflection template | Panel scores the defense on the Defense Evaluation Rubric across five dimensions: content accuracy, financial literacy, professional communication, ability to respond to questions, and overall persuasiveness; passing standard is a panel average of 75% overall with no single dimension below 60%; students who do not pass may request one re-defense within two weeks after additional preparation. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch-Ready Business Plan (Project Assessment) | Project | 60% | 75% on the Program Business Plan Rubric across all sections; financial model must be mathematically accurate and no required section may score below 60%. | Students submit a polished, written business plan of approximately 10 to 15 pages (excluding appendices) that integrates research, financial projections, and operational strategy for their chosen business concept. The plan is scored by the instructor using the Program Business Plan Rubric, which weights market analysis, financial model accuracy, writing quality, and completeness of required sections; this assessment maps directly to NFTE Business Plan competition criteria and Certiport ESB exam domains covering business planning and financial literacy. Meets specification · Within estimate · Workmanship · Safety · Documentation |
| Operations Portfolio (Portfolio Assessment) | Portfolio | 20% | All five required sections present; each section scores 75% or higher on its section rubric; any section below 75% must be revised and resubmitted within one week. | Students submit a complete binder or digital folder containing the five operational documents produced during Lesson 3—licensing forms, pricing worksheet, client contract, insurance summary, and marketing plan with two executed samples—demonstrating that they can translate business planning into the real paperwork of running a small business. The portfolio is evaluated against the Portfolio Completeness Checklist and section-specific rubrics and maps to Certiport ESB exam domains for operations, legal considerations, marketing, and risk management, as well as NFTE competencies in business readiness. Completeness · Organization · Evidence quality |
| Business Concept Oral Defense (Oral Assessment) | Oral / panel | 20% | Panel average of 75% on the Defense Evaluation Rubric; no single dimension below 60%; one re-defense permitted within two weeks if not passed on first attempt. | Students deliver a 10-to-15-minute formal presentation of their business concept and portfolio to a panel of at least two evaluators—including at least one industry or community business representative where possible—and field up to 10 minutes of questions covering financial assumptions, legal compliance, and marketing strategy. The defense mirrors the NFTE Business Plan Pitch format and assesses Certiport ESB competencies in entrepreneurial thinking, communication, and business decision-making; the post-defense reflection is submitted within 48 hours and reviewed by the instructor as a pass/fail professional-development requirement. Explains decisions · Answers technical questions · Professional communication |
BUS-ENTR56-10 Externship / clinical
Externship / Worksite Placement in Small-Business Operations
162 hr · $650 COMPLIMENTARY
Students complete 162 supervised hours embedded with a vetted small-business employer, applying business-plan, marketing, financial, legal-compliance, and customer-service skills learned in prior coursework to real daily operations. A certified workplace mentor evaluates performance against industry standards, and students document their experience in a structured field journal that bridges classroom learning to professional practice. This course provides the authentic work context required by both the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential frameworks and satisfies the program's work-based learning requirement.
Outcomes- Execute assigned small-business operational tasks—such as customer intake, inventory tracking, invoicing, or social-media posting—meeting employer quality and productivity standards on at least 80% of evaluated tasks.
- Apply ethical and professional workplace conduct, including punctuality, confidentiality, and respectful communication, as rated 'Meets Expectations' or higher on all employer evaluation rubric categories.
- Identify at least three real-world business decisions observed on-site (pricing, vendor selection, scheduling, or marketing) and analyze each using concepts from prior coursework in a written field-journal entry.
- Demonstrate safe, legally compliant work habits—including proper data handling, slip/trip hazard awareness, and ergonomic computer-workstation setup—throughout the placement with zero documented safety violations.
- Prepare and deliver a post-externship reflection report that connects observed business practices to at least two NFTE entrepreneurship competency areas and two Certiport ESB exam domains.
- Collect a completed employer evaluation form confirming satisfactory performance as the primary evidence of workplace readiness for entry-level entrepreneurship or small-business roles.
Course text
Students complete 162 supervised hours embedded with a vetted small-business employer, applying business-plan, marketing, financial, legal-compliance, and customer-service skills learned in prior coursework to real daily operations. A certified workplace mentor evaluates performance against industry standards, and students document their experience in a structured field journal that bridges classroom learning to professional practice. This course provides the authentic work context required by both the NFTE and Certiport ESB credential frameworks and satisfies the program's work-based learning requirement.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Externship Orientation, Safety Briefing, and Site Onboarding; Supervised Operational Work — Weeks 1–4 (Core Tasks); Supervised Operational Work — Weeks 5–8 (Expanded Responsibility); Final Evaluation, Post-Externship Reflection Report, and Exit Meeting.
What competent looks like. Execute assigned small-business operational tasks—such as customer intake, inventory tracking, invoicing, or social-media posting—meeting employer quality and productivity standards on at least 80% of evaluated tasks. Apply ethical and professional workplace conduct, including punctuality, confidentiality, and respectful communication, as rated 'Meets Expectations' or higher on all employer evaluation rubric categories. Identify at least three real-world business decisions observed on-site (pricing, vendor selection, scheduling, or marketing) and analyze each using concepts from prior coursework in a written field-journal entry. Demonstrate safe, legally compliant work habits—including proper data handling, slip/trip hazard awareness, and ergonomic computer-workstation setup—throughout the placement with zero documented safety violations. Prepare and deliver a post-externship reflection report that connects observed business practices to at least two NFTE entrepreneurship competency areas and two Certiport ESB exam domains. Collect a completed employer evaluation form confirming satisfactory performance as the primary evidence of workplace readiness for entry-level entrepreneurship or small-business roles.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Externship Orientation, Safety Briefing, and Site Onboarding | 12 | field | Students will complete worksite orientation, review site-specific safety and confidentiality protocols, and establish a learning-goals contract with their mentor before their first full operational day. |
| Externship Placement Handbook, Site Safety Checklist template, Placement Learning Goals Contract form, Externship Agreement form, pen/paper or tablet for notes, employer's posted safety and HR policies | Instructor and mentor jointly verify: signed Externship Agreement on file, completed Site Safety Checklist with no blank fields, and signed Learning Goals Contract. All three documents must be submitted within the first five on-site hours; missing any document requires re-completion before student may log billable externship hours. |
| 2 | Supervised Operational Work — Weeks 1–4 (Core Tasks) | 60 | field | Students will perform assigned core business tasks under direct mentor supervision—including customer service, record-keeping, scheduling, or inventory—and log each task in their field journal with a business-concept connection. |
| Field Journal (bound or digital logbook), Weekly Reflection Prompt sheet, employer's operational software and equipment (site-specific), Certiport ESB Candidate Guide (for concept reference), NFTE Program Workbook (for concept reference) | School coordinator reviews field-journal entries at the end of Week 4. Pass standard: a minimum of eight journal entries completed, each entry contains a named business concept and a reflection section; at least 60 hours are logged and verified by employer time-sheet signature. Entries lacking a business-concept connection are returned for revision before the midpoint evaluation. |
| 3 | Supervised Operational Work — Weeks 5–8 (Expanded Responsibility) | 72 | field | Students will take on at least one expanded or semi-independent responsibility—such as drafting a promotional post, preparing a cost comparison, or assisting with a vendor order—and document the decision-making process and outcome in the field journal. |
| Field Journal, Mid-Placement Employer Evaluation form, stretch-assignment worksheet, employer's operational tools (software, templates, communication platforms), Certiport ESB Exam Domain list, NFTE Competency Framework summary sheet | Coordinator reviews Mid-Placement Employer Evaluation and weeks 5–8 journal entries. Pass standard: mentor rates student 'Meets Expectations' or higher in at least four of five rubric categories; a minimum of eight additional journal entries are submitted with at least four containing credential domain references; 72 additional hours are logged and co-signed. Any 'Does Not Meet' rating triggers a remediation plan signed by student, mentor, and coordinator within five business days. |
| 4 | Final Evaluation, Post-Externship Reflection Report, and Exit Meeting | 18 | field | Students will compile the complete field journal, receive a final employer evaluation, and present a structured post-externship reflection report connecting site experience to NFTE and Certiport ESB competency areas. |
| Complete Field Journal with all inserts, Final Employer Evaluation form, Post-Externship Reflection Report rubric, NFTE Competency Framework, Certiport ESB Domain outline, word-processing software | Coordinator scores the Post-Externship Reflection Report using the provided rubric (four criteria: completeness, accuracy of concept application, credential domain mapping, professional tone); pass standard is 70% or higher on the rubric. Final Employer Evaluation must show 'Meets Expectations' or higher in all five rubric categories. Total logged hours must equal 162 with all time-sheets co-signed by the mentor. Students who do not meet the reflection rubric threshold revise and resubmit within five business days. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer Workplace Performance Evaluation (Skills Demonstration) | Skills demonstration | 70% | Mentor ratings of 'Meets Expectations' or higher in all five rubric categories on the Final Employer Evaluation form; no unresolved 'Does Not Meet' ratings from the Mid-Placement Evaluation. | The employer mentor completes two standardized evaluation forms—one at the midpoint and one at the end of the placement—rating the student on professionalism and reliability, quality of task execution, communication skills, initiative, and application of business knowledge. The final form constitutes the primary skills-demonstration evidence for the program and is submitted directly to the school coordinator with the mentor's signature. Competency · Safety · Attendance · Conduct · Initiative |
| Field Journal and Post-Externship Reflection Report (Lab Log) | Log | 30% | Complete field journal with all required inserts and co-signed time-sheets totaling 162 hours; Post-Externship Reflection Report scoring 70% or higher on the four-criterion rubric. | The bound or digital field journal serves as the running lab log for the externship, capturing daily tasks, business-concept connections, mentor feedback, and credential domain references across all 162 hours. The Post-Externship Reflection Report, submitted at the close of the placement, synthesizes journal entries into a coherent analysis of observed business practices mapped explicitly to NFTE and Certiport ESB competency frameworks, demonstrating college-and-career readiness. Complete · Verified |
BUS-ENTR56-11 Exam prep
Certification Exam Preparation: NFTE and Certiport ESB
45 hr · $450 COMPLIMENTARY
Students systematically review every domain tested on the NFTE entrepreneurship certification and the Certiport Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) exam, identify personal knowledge gaps, and build test-taking stamina through timed practice. The course culminates in full-length mock exams that mirror the format, pacing, and scoring of both credentials so students sit for live exams with confidence.
Outcomes- Recall and apply key vocabulary, concepts, and frameworks tested across all NFTE and Certiport ESB exam domains at a level consistent with a passing score on each credential.
- Analyze business scenarios presented in multiple-choice and performance-based items and select the best answer using elimination and evidence-based reasoning strategies.
- Complete a timed, full-length mock version of the Certiport ESB exam and a full-length mock version of the NFTE assessment, each meeting or exceeding the published passing threshold.
- Identify personal weak domains from diagnostic and practice data and execute a targeted self-study plan to close gaps before the live exam date.
- Demonstrate professional exam-day readiness, including time management, question navigation, and composure under timed conditions.
Course text
Students systematically review every domain tested on the NFTE entrepreneurship certification and the Certiport Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) exam, identify personal knowledge gaps, and build test-taking stamina through timed practice. The course culminates in full-length mock exams that mirror the format, pacing, and scoring of both credentials so students sit for live exams with confidence.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Domain Diagnostic and Gap Mapping; Targeted Domain Review: Business Concepts, Finance, and Operations; Targeted Domain Review: Marketing, Ethics, Communication, and Entrepreneurial Mindset; Full Mock Exams and Final Review.
What competent looks like. Recall and apply key vocabulary, concepts, and frameworks tested across all NFTE and Certiport ESB exam domains at a level consistent with a passing score on each credential. Analyze business scenarios presented in multiple-choice and performance-based items and select the best answer using elimination and evidence-based reasoning strategies. Complete a timed, full-length mock version of the Certiport ESB exam and a full-length mock version of the NFTE assessment, each meeting or exceeding the published passing threshold. Identify personal weak domains from diagnostic and practice data and execute a targeted self-study plan to close gaps before the live exam date. Demonstrate professional exam-day readiness, including time management, question navigation, and composure under timed conditions.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Domain Diagnostic and Gap Mapping | 8 | practice | Students complete a diagnostic assessment covering all NFTE and Certiport ESB content domains and produce a personal gap map that ranks their weakest areas for targeted review. |
| Printed or LMS-hosted diagnostic item banks aligned to current Certiport ESB exam objectives and NFTE learning standards, answer-key rubrics, blank gap-map template (paper or spreadsheet), pencils, calculators, student notebooks, Certiport ESB Exam Objectives document (publicly available from Certiport), NFTE Certification preparation guide | Instructor reviews each student's gap map for accuracy against their diagnostic score report; competence is demonstrated when the map correctly flags all domains below 70% and each flagged domain has a specific, actionable study note. All students must submit a complete gap map to proceed. |
| 2 | Targeted Domain Review: Business Concepts, Finance, and Operations | 12 | theory | Students explain and apply the core business, financial, and operations concepts tested on both credentials — including business structures, break-even, cash flow, supply chain basics, and risk management — at sufficient depth to answer exam-level items correctly. |
| Instructor slide deck aligned to ESB Exam Objective Areas 1–4, NFTE curriculum standards reference, student reference-sheet templates, whiteboards or laminated cards and markers, calculators, printed practice item sets (finance and operations), Certiport ESB sample questions (publicly available), Business Math for Entrepreneurs reference text | At the end of the lesson, students complete a 20-item exit quiz covering the domains reviewed; pass mark is 75% (15 of 20 correct). Students below 75% must complete an assigned self-study module from the course LMS before the next lesson and show the instructor a completed self-study log. |
| 3 | Targeted Domain Review: Marketing, Ethics, Communication, and Entrepreneurial Mindset | 10 | theory | Students explain and apply marketing, business ethics, professional communication, and entrepreneurial mindset concepts tested on both credentials — including the 4 Ps, target market analysis, ethical decision-making frameworks, and the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs — well enough to answer exam-level items accurately. |
| Printed case-study carousel packets, role-play scenario card deck, marketing-snapshot template, ESB Exam Objective Areas 5–6 reference sheet, NFTE domain guide (Ethics and Social Responsibility, Entrepreneurial Mindset sections), markers, flip-chart paper for debrief recording, student notebooks | Instructor scores the marketing snapshot using a six-point rubric (target market defined, value proposition clear, promotion strategy appropriate, correct ESB/NFTE domain tags on all three elements, professional writing, completeness); pass mark is 5 of 6 points. Ethics role-play is assessed pass/fail on correct identification of the ethical principle and a legally and ethically sound proposed action. |
| 4 | Full Mock Exams and Final Review | 15 | practice | Students complete one full-length timed mock Certiport ESB exam and one full-length timed mock NFTE assessment under exam-like conditions, score both, analyze results, and demonstrate exam-day readiness through a structured debrief and targeted last-pass review. |
| Full-length ESB mock exam (printed or LMS-hosted, mapped to current Certiport ESB objectives), full-length NFTE mock assessment, stopwatch or classroom timer, scratch paper, on-screen or handheld calculators as appropriate to exam format, domain-score report template, blank 3×5 index cards, pens, student gap maps from Lesson 1 | Students must score at or above the equivalent of the published passing threshold on at least one of the two mock exams to be considered exam-ready; students who do not reach that threshold on either mock receive a mandatory one-hour instructor conference before their live exam registration is submitted, resulting in a revised individualized study plan. Timely completion of both mocks within the allotted time windows is required for course completion credit. |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Mock Certification Exam | Mock certification exam | 100% | Score at or above the equivalent of the published passing threshold on at least one of the two full-length mock exams (ESB or NFTE); both mocks must be completed under timed, no-notes conditions within the scheduled class session. | Students sit a full-length timed mock of the Certiport ESB exam and a full-length timed mock of the NFTE assessment back-to-back across two class sessions, replicating live exam conditions as closely as possible. Scores are analyzed at the domain level and used to certify exam readiness or trigger a mandatory remediation conference before the student registers for the live credentialing exams. Score · Time management |
Program completion
External credential: Certiport ESB; NFTE
Students sit the NFTE entrepreneurship certification exam administered through the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification exam administered through Certiport, a Pearson VUE business. Pass standard: Credential issued by the body.
Back to Entrepreneurship / Small-Business Ops · How the school gets authority to award these credentials
