---
title: "Set up skill scales"
slug: "set-up-skill-scales"
tags: ["How-to", "Totara Skills"]
updated: 2026-10-08T07:25:59Z
published: 2026-10-08T07:25:59Z
canonical: "totara.help/set-up-skill-scales"
---

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

# Set up skill scales

Skill scales enable you to define the criteria by which a [skill](/totara-20/docs/what-are-skills-1) can be measured. There is a skill scale set up in the system by default called **Skill scale** with three values; **Competent**, **Competent with supervision**, and **Not competent**.

## Create a skill scale

To create a new skill scale follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills.*
2. Scroll to the bottom of the manage skills page.
3. Click the **Add a new skill scale** button.
4. Complete the [skill scale settings](/totara-20/docs/set-up-skill-scales#skill-scale-settings).
5. Click **Save changes**.

![Skill frameworks page showing listed frameworks, export options, and available skill scales.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-4176KTAI.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A56%3A58Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A56%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mtXjZ02c9siO0%2FGS90H%2F4QgJAcPnxQuwZHe6qQYy8qI%3D)

Your new skill 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).

## Add skill scale values

After creating your skill scale you may wish to add new skill scale values.

To add new scale values, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills.*
2. Scroll to the bottom of the skill frameworks page.
3. Find the skill scale to which you wish to add a value.
4. Click that skill scale’s name to open it.
5. Above the table of skill scale values, click **Add scale value**.
6. Configure the [scale value settings](/totara-20/docs/set-up-skill-scales#skill-scale-value-settings).
7. Click **Save changes**.

You can move the new scale value to where you wish it to sit in the scale, and set it as the minimum proficient value if desired.

![Scale settings page showing proficiency values and default selections for each scale level.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-OUOQ2X31.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A56%3A58Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A56%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mtXjZ02c9siO0%2FGS90H%2F4QgJAcPnxQuwZHe6qQYy8qI%3D)

## Edit a skill scale

Once you have created a skill scale with a number of values in it and set the proficient value, you may later wish to change these.

To edit a skill scale, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills.*
2. Scroll to the bottom of the **Manage skills** page.
3. Find the skill scale you wish to edit.
4. Click the cog icon ( ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-GHMP4V66.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A56%3A58Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A56%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mtXjZ02c9siO0%2FGS90H%2F4QgJAcPnxQuwZHe6qQYy8qI%3D) ) in the **Options** column.
5. Make the changes required and click **Save changes**.

## Edit a skill scale value

You can edit or add individual skill scale values. To edit a scale value, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills.*
2. Scroll to the bottom of the skill frameworks page.
3. Click the name of the skill for which you wish to edit the scale values.
4. Depending on the change you wish to make either:
  - Click the cog icon ( ![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-YBZ551Y8.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A56%3A58Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A56%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mtXjZ02c9siO0%2FGS90H%2F4QgJAcPnxQuwZHe6qQYy8qI%3D) ) next to the value you wish to change
  - Click the **Add scale value** button to add a value to your scale
5. Adjust or complete the settings.
6. Click **Save changes**.
7. Click **All skill scales** to return to the **Manage skills** page.

## Skill scale settings

When creating or editing skill scale you can configure the following settings.

| **Setting** | **Description** | **Notes** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | The name of the skill scale that will be used by skill frameworks. | - |
| Scale values | Enter values for the skill scale (one per line), in order from most competent to least competent. For example: - Competent - Competent with supervision - Not competent | We recommend you enter them with the highest value first through to the lowest value, e.g. competent, competent with supervision, not competent. Scale values are used to describe a learner’s progress for a skill. When editing there is a link to add new scale values. |
| Description | A description of the scale. | - |

## Skill scale value settings

When creating or editing a scale value you can configure the following settings.

| **Setting** | **Description** | **Notes** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Skill scale | The scale this value is a part of. This is for information and is automatically set. | - |
| Scale value name | The name of the skill scale value you are adding or editing. | - |
| Scale value ID number | A unique number used to represent the scale value. | - |
| Scale value numerical value | The numerical value associated with the scale value. | The scale value must be within the range -99999.99999 to 99999.99999 with no more than five decimal places. |
| Description | A longer description of the skill scale value. | - |

## Set default and proficiency values

Once you have created your skill scale you may wish to set the **Learning plan default value*** (Totara Learn only) or the **Minimum required proficiency value****.

If you change the minimum required proficiency value of a scale once it is in use this may impact the proficiency status of assigned users and/or any proficiency value override set by assignment.

To set a scale value, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills.*
2. Scroll to the bottom of the **Manage skills** page.
3. Find the skill scale for which you want to set values.
4. Click the name of the skill scale to open it.
5. Use the radio buttons to set the values as required.
6. Click **Save and apply changes**.

![Competency scale page showing scale levels with proficiency and default value selections.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-Z7MZ4VJT.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-01T15%3A56%3A58Z&se=2026-11-01T16%3A56%3A58Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=mtXjZ02c9siO0%2FGS90H%2F4QgJAcPnxQuwZHe6qQYy8qI%3D)

*The **Learning plan default value** will be automatically awarded until a user provides the required evidence to demonstrate proficiency, as specified in the learning plan (Totara Learn only).

**The **Minimum required proficiency value** is the lowest value a user has to achieve to be considered proficient in a skill using this scale. All higher scale values are automatically classified as proficient values (i.e. values at which the user will be considered proficient).

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

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