diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/production.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/production.md
index 0d197d890c..885d852cf0 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/production.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/production.md
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ please add links to any relevant follow up issues.*
 I have...
 
 * [ ] Included the correct [type prefix](https://github.com/commitizen/conventional-commit-types/blob/v3.0.0/index.json) in the PR title
-* [ ] Added `!` to the type prefix if API or client breaking change
+* [ ] Added `!` to the type prefix if state-machine breaking change (i.e., requires coordinated upgrade)
 * [ ] Confirmed this PR does not introduce changes requiring state migrations, OR migration code has been added to consumer and/or provider modules
 * [ ] Targeted the correct branch (see [PR Targeting](https://github.com/cosmos/interchain-security/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#pr-targeting))
 * [ ] Provided a link to the relevant issue or specification