In a crowded credential landscape, recognition is everything.
As more organizations issue badges and certificates, the question is no longer how to credential, but how to make those credentials stand out.
That’s where endorsements come in. Whether it’s from a university granting academic credit, a regulator validating compliance, or a company backing product expertise, endorsements elevate the value and trust of your credentials in the eyes of employers, institutions, and learners.
And now Accredible makes it easy to request, manage, and showcase verified third-party recognition — right on your digital credentials.
How Endorsements Benefit Issuers and Endorsers
Endorsements take the credibility of your credentials to the next level. They provide a clear, external signal that your learning outcomes align with real-world expectations — making them more valuable to learners, employers, and institutions alike.
For credential issuers, endorsements help:
- Build credibility — Third-party validation from respected organizations.
- Increase engagement — Learners and professionals see more value in earning the credential.
- Expand reach — Endorsers' networks introduce the credential to a broader audience.
- Strengthen partnerships — Industry connections create new opportunities for growth and expansion.
For endorsers, backing credentials helps:
- Ensure workforce quality — Recognize credentials that align with industry needs.
- Maintain professional standards — Validate learning programs that meet key requirements.
- Support workforce development — Help learners advance with meaningful, recognized credentials.
How Endorsements Are Used
Endorsements support different types of credentials depending on the audience and goals. Here are four common endorsement pathways:
- Professional Development & Continuing Education Endorsements
- What it means: Credentials endorsed as meeting continuing education, workforce development, or regulatory professional growth standards.
- Example: A state nursing board endorses a continuing education credential for nurses.
- Vendor, Service Provider, & Product Certification Endorsements
- What it means: Credentials endorsed by companies or vendors to certify skills on specific platforms, products, or services.
- Example: A CRM organization endorses a certification for platform administrators.
- Industry Standards, Accreditation, & Compliance Endorsements
- What it means: Credentials endorsed by industry bodies, accrediting organizations, or evaluation agencies for meeting professional or compliance standards.
- Example: A project management association endorses a certification aligned with industry best practices, recognized for career advancement or academic credit.
- Employer & Workforce Recognition Endorsements
- What it means: Credentials endorsed by employers, industry groups, or trade organizations to validate skills for hiring or career advancement.
- Example: A cloud services company endorses an IT support credential for entry-level job applicants.
Real-World Example: ACE Endorsements
One organization leading the way in credential endorsements is the American Council on Education (ACE), partnering with Accredible. ACE now endorses digital credentials on Accredible’s platform, giving learners access to ACE-endorsed digital certificates and badges that can be counted toward academic credit.
With Endorsements now available across the Accredible platform, any credential issuer can request, manage, and display verified third-party recognition. Learn more here.
How to Get Your Credentials Endorsed
Endorsements don’t happen by chance — you need to find the right organizations for your industry and your learners and make the case for why your credentials matter. Here’s how to get started:
- Identify potential endorsers — Look at industry associations, regulatory boards, major employers, academic institutions, and corporate partners that influence hiring and credentialing in your field. Who sets the standards that your learners need to meet?
- Show alignment — Demonstrate how your credential helps professionals succeed, meets workforce demands, or ensures compliance.
- Use existing relationships — If a company, association, or regulator already benefits from your credential, they could be an ideal endorser.
- Leverage success stories — Prove your credential’s value with adoption rates, employer feedback, or real-world career impact.
Ready to Strengthen Your Credentials?
Whether you're a credential issuer looking to boost credibility and reach or an industry leader ready to endorse learning that matters, Accredible can help.
Let’s explore how endorsements can strengthen and amplify your credentials. Connect with one of our digital credential specialists today.
