cmi5 — xAPI Profile for LMS Content
The cmi5 specification is designed as a replacement for SCORM® to secure plug-and-play interoperability between learning content and Learning Management Systems (LMS). It defines how learning courses are packaged, imported, launched, authenticated, and reported, and helps simplify the use of xAPI in the context of an LMS.
Context
cmi5 bridges the gap between SCORM and xAPI. It carries many elements of an xAPI Profile, applying xAPI’s statement-based model to the familiar LMS launch-and-track workflow that SCORM established. The result is a standard that preserves the plug-and-play content model organizations already rely on while unlocking xAPI’s ability to record richer, more flexible learning data.
DoD policy has moved to mandate xAPI and cmi5 for new distributed learning acquisitions. DoDI 1322.26 and its implementation references now direct DoD organizations to acquire and implement DL tools and technologies adhering to these specifications, with cmi5 as the recommended profile for LMS-delivered content.
CATAPULT & conformance
CATAPULT (the cmi5 Conformance Test Suite) validates that LMSs and content packages correctly implement the cmi5 specification — launch, authentication, course structure, and reporting. The ADL Initiative maintained the cmi5 working group, the CATAPULT test suite, and the certification process for cmi5-conformant products.
Documents
- cmi5 Best Practices Guide — From Conception to Conformance PDF
- Bridging the SCORM and xAPI Gap — the Role of cmi5 PDF
- xAPI and cmi5 in DoD Policy PDF