Digital Badging Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are digital credentials? 

A: Digital credentials are electronic verifications or attestations that confirm an individual's skills, qualifications, or achievements. They are often represented as digital badges, certificates, or other symbols that can be shared and displayed online. Digital credentials are typically issued by educational institutions, professional organizations, or certifying bodies and can be stored, accessed, and verified online, making them more convenient and accessible than traditional paper-based credentials. They often contain metadata that provides information about the issuing authority, the criteria for earning the credential, and any associated evidence or validation.

Q: What is an open badge?

A: Open badges are web-enabled versions of a credential, certification or learning outcome which can be verified in real-time, online.

Q: What are the benefits of a digital badge?

A: The digital badge provides a quick and easy way for you to share your certificate and for employers to verify the credentials. You also have access to labor market insights to help connect your skills with active job opportunities.

Q: What if I don't want to make my badge public?

A: You can easily configure your privacy settings in the Acclaim Platform. You’re in complete control of the information about yourself that is made public.

Q: Is there a fee to use Credly's Acclaim Platform?

A: No. This service is provided by the Technology and Leadership Center at no cost to you.

Q: How will I receive my badge?

A: You will receive an email notification from the Acclaim Platform (admin@youracclaim.com) with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.

Q: What’s to keep someone else from copying my badge and using it?

A: While badges are simply digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on Credly’s Acclaim Platform. This link to verified data makes them more reliable and secure than a paper-based certificate. It also eliminates the possibility of anyone claiming your credential and your associated identity.

Q: Can I import badges issued from other platforms into Credly’s Acclaim Platform?

A: Not at this time.

Q: Can I export badges issued through Credly’s Acclaim Platform to other badge-storing platforms?

A: Yes, you can download your badge from the Share Badge page. Your downloaded badge contains Open Badge Infrastructure (OBI) compliant metadata embedded into the image. This allows you to store your badge on other OBI-compliant badge sites, such as the Mozilla backpack.   

Q: I have a question about the Acclaim Platform. Where can I find support?

A: You can find answers to frequently asked questions here: support.youracclaim.com.

Q: I have additional questions not on this list. Who should I contact?

A: Please send any additional requests to tlcenter@wustl.edu.