---
title: "Create a competency scale"
slug: "create-a-competency-scale"
tags: ["How-to", "Site Administrator", "Skills", "Totara Learn", "Totara Perform"]
updated: 2025-07-22T10:52:18Z
published: 2025-07-22T11:18:48Z
canonical: "totara.help/create-a-competency-scale"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create a competency scale

Competency scales enable you to define the criteria by which a [competency](/19/docs/what-are-competencies) can be measured. There is a competency scale set up in the system by default called **Competency scale** with three values; **Competent**, **Competent with supervision**, and **Not competent**.

To create a new competency scale follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Competencies.*
2. Scroll to the bottom of the manage competencies page.
3. Click the **Add a new competency scale** button.
4. Complete the [competency scale settings](/19/docs/competency-scale-settings).
5. Click **Save changes**.

![Adding a new competency scale.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/create-a-competency-scale-image-sgesucpk.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A49%3A51Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A49%3A51Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=grlW60VFbmHPXHaNoM55LY3kspKn9zPPS3rRSHDbA1k%3D)

Your new competency scale is now added and you are able to set the default value and the proficient value.

The last scale value entered during set up is the default value which displays on a learner’s record of learning (Totara Learn only).

## Next steps

- [Set scale values](/19/docs/set-a-competency-scale-value)
- [Add scale values](/19/docs/add-a-competency-scale-value)
- [Create a competency framework](/19/docs/create-a-competency-framework)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge__competencies-in-totara-perform.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A49%3A51Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A49%3A51Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=grlW60VFbmHPXHaNoM55LY3kspKn9zPPS3rRSHDbA1k%3D)Why not visit the Totara Academy for our latest course on [Skills](https://totara.community/mod/page/view.php?id=24498) in Totara. Here you can learn more on how to use skills, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

© Copyright 2026 Totara Learning Solutions. All rights reserved.