SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 are two widely used versions of the SCORM standard. Both define how an LMS launches a course, tracks learner progress, and exchanges data with the content.
Most modern LMSs support at least one of these versions, but not always both, so choosing the right option is important.
You can read more detailed information about the SCORM standard at https://scorm.com.
Overview
Released in 2001, SCORM 1.2 became the industry default and still offers the broadest LMS support to this day. It provides a straightforward data model, simple completion tracking, and basic interaction reporting. Its main limitation is a small suspend data allowance, which restricts how much data a course can store for bookmarking.
SCORM 2004 introduced many refinements on 1.2, notably including a much larger suspend data limit for bookmarking. However, LMS support for 2004 varies, and implementations can be inconsistent.
Which should you choose?
In our case, the functional differences are minimal. Our SCORM package is remotely hosted and does not rely on LMS-managed sequencing or suspend data limits. Bookmarking is handled by our own service, so one of the major advantages of SCORM 2004 does not apply. As a result, both versions behave similarly in practice.
The main consideration is LMS compatibility:
- Choose SCORM 1.2 if you need widest support across older or restrictive LMSs.
- Choose SCORM 2004 (4th Edition) only if your LMS requires it or if its implementation is more stable.
It’s always best practice to check with your LMS provider which version they support before publishing your course.