diff --git a/schema.json b/schema.json
index d6778f41..504d211d 100644
--- a/schema.json
+++ b/schema.json
@@ -3,6 +3,13 @@
   "title": "Resume Schema",
   "type": "object",
   "additionalProperties": false,
+  "definitions": {
+    "iso8601": {
+      "type": "string",
+      "description": "e.g. 2014-06-29",
+      "pattern": "^([1-2][0-9]{3}-[0-1][0-9]-[0-3][0-9]|[1-2][0-9]{3}-[0-1][0-9]|[1-2][0-9]{3})$"
+    }
+  },
   "properties": {
     "basics": {
       "type": "object",
@@ -115,16 +122,8 @@
             "description": "e.g. http://facebook.example.com",
             "format": "uri"
           },
-          "startDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "resume.json uses the ISO 8601 date standard e.g. 2014-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
-          "endDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 2012-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
+          "startDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
+          "endDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
           "summary": {
             "type": "string",
             "description": "Give an overview of your responsibilities at the company"
@@ -161,16 +160,8 @@
             "description": "e.g. http://facebook.example.com",
             "format": "uri"
           },
-          "startDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "resume.json uses the ISO 8601 date standard e.g. 2014-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
-          "endDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 2012-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
+          "startDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
+          "endDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
           "summary": {
             "type": "string",
             "description": "Give an overview of your responsibilities at the company"
@@ -206,16 +197,8 @@
             "type": "string",
             "description": "e.g. Bachelor"
           },
-          "startDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 2014-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
-          "endDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 2012-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
+          "startDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
+          "endDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
           "gpa": {
             "type": "string",
             "description": "grade point average, e.g. 3.67/4.0"
@@ -244,11 +227,7 @@
             "type": "string",
             "description": "e.g. One of the 100 greatest minds of the century"
           },
-          "date": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 1989-06-12",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
+          "date": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
           "awarder": {
             "type": "string",
             "description": "e.g. Time Magazine"
@@ -276,10 +255,7 @@
             "type": "string",
             "description": "e.g. IEEE, Computer Magazine"
           },
-          "releaseDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 1990-08-01"
-          },
+          "releaseDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
           "url": {
             "type": "string",
             "description": "e.g. http://www.computer.org.example.com/csdl/mags/co/1996/10/rx069-abs.html",
@@ -414,16 +390,8 @@
               "description": "e.g. AngularJS"
             }
           },
-          "startDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "resume.json uses the ISO 8601 date standard e.g. 2014-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
-          "endDate": {
-            "type": "string",
-            "description": "e.g. 2012-06-29",
-            "format": "date"
-          },
+          "startDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
+          "endDate": { "$ref": "#/definitions/iso8601" },
           "url": {
             "type": "string",
             "format":"uri",
diff --git a/test/__test__/awards.json b/test/__test__/awards.json
index 261f72c9..fc0020c8 100644
--- a/test/__test__/awards.json
+++ b/test/__test__/awards.json
@@ -27,6 +27,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "dateValid2": {
+    "awards": [
+      {
+        "date": "2014-11"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "dateValid3": {
+    "awards": [
+      {
+        "date": "2014"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "dateInvalid": {
     "awards": [
       {
diff --git a/test/__test__/dates.json b/test/__test__/dates.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a3446714
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/__test__/dates.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "yearMonthDay": "2013-12-02",
+  "yearMonth": "2013-12-01",
+  "year": "2013-12-01",
+  "invalid": "2013-12-021"
+}
diff --git a/test/__test__/education.json b/test/__test__/education.json
index 5dbae348..172455da 100644
--- a/test/__test__/education.json
+++ b/test/__test__/education.json
@@ -54,6 +54,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "startDateValid2": {
+    "education": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2011-06"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "startDateValid3": {
+    "education": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2011"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "startDateInvalid": {
     "education": [
       {
@@ -68,6 +82,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "endDateValid2": {
+    "education": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2014-01"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "endDateValid3": {
+    "education": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2014"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "endDateInvalid": {
     "education": [
       {
diff --git a/test/__test__/projects.json b/test/__test__/projects.json
index 6a217b00..022fec23 100644
--- a/test/__test__/projects.json
+++ b/test/__test__/projects.json
@@ -104,6 +104,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "startDateValid2": {
+    "projects": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2015-08"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "startDateValid3": {
+    "projects": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2015"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "startDateInvalid": {
     "projects": [
       {
@@ -118,6 +132,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "endDateValid2": {
+    "projects": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2016-08"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "endDateValid3": {
+    "projects": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2016"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "endDateInvalid": {
     "projects": [
       {
diff --git a/test/__test__/publications.json b/test/__test__/publications.json
index 550f6553..08bdff8d 100644
--- a/test/__test__/publications.json
+++ b/test/__test__/publications.json
@@ -40,6 +40,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "releaseDateValid2": {
+    "publications": [
+      {
+        "releaseDate": "2014-10"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "releaseDateValid3": {
+    "publications": [
+      {
+        "releaseDate": "2014"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "releaseDateInvalid": {
     "publications": [
       {
diff --git a/test/__test__/volunteer.json b/test/__test__/volunteer.json
index 17ad1773..28a847a7 100644
--- a/test/__test__/volunteer.json
+++ b/test/__test__/volunteer.json
@@ -54,6 +54,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "startDateValid2": {
+    "volunteer": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2012-01"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "startDateValid3": {
+    "volunteer": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2012"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "startDateInvalid": {
     "volunteer": [
       {
@@ -68,6 +82,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "endDateValid2": {
+    "volunteer": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2013-01"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "endDateValid3": {
+    "volunteer": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2013"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "endDateInvalid": {
     "volunteer": [
       {
diff --git a/test/__test__/work.json b/test/__test__/work.json
index b101b5b9..c31a568e 100644
--- a/test/__test__/work.json
+++ b/test/__test__/work.json
@@ -82,6 +82,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "startDateValid2": {
+    "work": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2013-12"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "startDateValid3": {
+    "work": [
+      {
+        "startDate": "2013"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "startDateInvalid": {
     "work": [
       {
@@ -96,6 +110,20 @@
       }
     ]
   },
+  "endDateValid2": {
+    "work": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2014-12"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
+  "endDateValid3": {
+    "work": [
+      {
+        "endDate": "2014"
+      }
+    ]
+  },
   "endDateInvalid": {
     "work": [
       {
diff --git a/test/awards.spec.js b/test/awards.spec.js
index 5c6e9ffb..95b4dd73 100644
--- a/test/awards.spec.js
+++ b/test/awards.spec.js
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ test('awards[].title - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('awards[].date - valid', (t) => {
+test('awards[].date - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.dateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -42,6 +42,22 @@ test('awards[].date - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('awards[].date - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.dateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('awards[].date - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.dateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('awards[].date - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.dateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
diff --git a/test/dates.spec.js b/test/dates.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b1012c9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/dates.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+var test = require('tape');
+var ZSchema = require('z-schema');
+const fixtures = require('./__test__/dates.json');
+// var mockDateSchema = require('./__test__/mockDateSchema.json');
+
+const mockDateSchema = {
+  "type": "string",
+  "description": "Mock Date Format",
+  "pattern": "^([1-2][0-9]{3}-[0-1][0-9]-[0-3][0-9]|[1-2][0-9]{3}-[0-1][0-9]|[1-2][0-9]{3})$"
+};
+
+function dateValidate(resumeJson, callback) {
+  var callbackWrapper = function(err, valid) {
+    if(err) {
+      callback(err)
+    } else {
+      callback(null, {valid: valid});
+    }
+  }
+
+  new ZSchema().validate(resumeJson, mockDateSchema, callbackWrapper);
+}
+
+test('dates - YYYY-MM-DD', (t) => {
+  dateValidate(fixtures.yearMonthDay, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('dates - YYYY-MM', (t) => {
+  dateValidate(fixtures.yearMonth, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('dates - YYYY', (t) => {
+  dateValidate(fixtures.yearMonthDay, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('dates - invalid', (t) => {
+  dateValidate(fixtures.invalid, (err, valid) => {
+    t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
+    t.false(valid, 'valid is false');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
diff --git a/test/education.spec.js b/test/education.spec.js
index 8b73f3ba..4e09ba8d 100644
--- a/test/education.spec.js
+++ b/test/education.spec.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ test('education[].studyType - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('education[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('education[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -74,6 +74,22 @@ test('education[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('education[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('education[].startDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('education[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
@@ -82,7 +98,7 @@ test('education[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('education[].endDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('education[].endDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.endDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -90,6 +106,22 @@ test('education[].endDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('education[].endDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.endDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('education[].endDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.endDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('education[].endDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.endDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
diff --git a/test/projects.spec.js b/test/projects.spec.js
index 553e7159..aaae1379 100644
--- a/test/projects.spec.js
+++ b/test/projects.spec.js
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ test('projects[].keywords[item] - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('projects[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('projects[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -122,6 +122,22 @@ test('projects[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('projects[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('projects[].startDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('projects[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
@@ -130,7 +146,7 @@ test('projects[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('projects[].endDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('projects[].endDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.endDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -138,6 +154,22 @@ test('projects[].endDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('projects[].endDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.endDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('projects[].endDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.endDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('projects[].endDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.endDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
diff --git a/test/publications.spec.js b/test/publications.spec.js
index 24a3c431..86d24b2c 100644
--- a/test/publications.spec.js
+++ b/test/publications.spec.js
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ test('publications[].publisher - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('publications[].releaseDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('publications[].releaseDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.releaseDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -58,6 +58,22 @@ test('publications[].releaseDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('publications[].releaseDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.releaseDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('publications[].releaseDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.releaseDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('publications[].releaseDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.releaseDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
diff --git a/test/volunteer.spec.js b/test/volunteer.spec.js
index 15a245bd..4ad41dd3 100644
--- a/test/volunteer.spec.js
+++ b/test/volunteer.spec.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ test('volunteer[].url - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('volunteer[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('volunteer[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -74,6 +74,22 @@ test('volunteer[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('volunteer[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('volunteer[].startDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('volunteer[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
diff --git a/test/work.spec.js b/test/work.spec.js
index 44f30f66..fdf7c585 100644
--- a/test/work.spec.js
+++ b/test/work.spec.js
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ test('work[].url - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('work[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('work[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -106,6 +106,22 @@ test('work[].startDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('work[].startDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('work[].startDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.startDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('work[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.startDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');
@@ -114,7 +130,7 @@ test('work[].startDate - invalid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
-test('work[].endDate - valid', (t) => {
+test('work[].endDate - valid [YYYY-MM-DD]', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.endDateValid, (err, valid) => {
     t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
     t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
@@ -122,6 +138,22 @@ test('work[].endDate - valid', (t) => {
   t.end();
 });
 
+test('work[].endDate - valid [YYYY-MM]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.endDateValid2, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
+test('work[].endDate - valid [YYYY]', (t) => {
+  validate(fixtures.endDateValid3, (err, valid) => {
+    t.equal(err, null, 'err should be null');
+    t.true(valid, 'valid is true');
+  });
+  t.end();
+});
+
 test('work[].endDate - invalid', (t) => {
   validate(fixtures.endDateInvalid, (err, valid) => {
     t.notEqual(err, null, 'err should contain an error');