Digital accreditation credentials – your passport to professional recognition

The way to communicate with clients and prospective clients is evolving, and you need to adapt to ensure you engage in the most effective and efficient way.

In January 2025 there were 67.8 million internet users in the UK, which equates to a huge 97.8%¹ of the total population that use the internet. Add to this the fact that between 2019 and 2023 the percentage of the population utilising social media rose from 83.96% to 91.17%, and is forecast to reach nearly 94% by 2028², and it paints a very clear picture.

To gain the recognition you deserve, you need digital tools that allow clients, peers, employers, the public and professionals in other sectors to instantly verify your achievements via a recognised and trusted source.

That’s where digital accreditation credentials come in.

Digital accreditation credentials – more than a badge

Often referred to as a digital badge, a digital accreditation credential is an online representation of a learning outcome, experience or competency that can be shared and verified online in a way that is easy and secure.

Typically shared via platforms with significant reach such as email signatures, within a website, on professional networking sites like LinkedIn, and on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and X, each badge links to verifiable live data which confirms in real time an individual’s achievement, making them more reliable, effective and secure than a paper-based certificate.

The benefits of digital accreditation credentials

It’s no coincidence that digital credentials are used widely across sectors such as healthcare, education, technology, and construction and engineering. It’s because they offer a dynamic and hugely effective way in which to communicate any skills acquired or competencies gained, and greater visibility with employers and clients as a way to stand out in a competitive market.

They also showcase career progress and development and act as a digital record of growth that evidences continuous improvement.

Ultimately, digital accreditation credentials will evidence to clients and other stakeholders via tangible and verifiable proof that you are competent, aligned to national standards and have a commitment to excellence as a sector professional.

Verifying your digital accreditation credentials

Each digital accreditation credential is unique. When clicked, it will take the user to a page that will either notify them of a verified professional status or that the authentication failed.

This is based on a variety of data that feeds into live authenticity validation results that serve to check and confirm the below details in order to provide a trustworthy signal of competence and credible proof of skills and achievements.

• Professional Status – this indicates the member’s current professional level within CIMSPA’s framework. Post-nominals (like MCIMSPA) show their membership grade and professional standing.
• Earning Criteria – this describes the specific requirements and competencies the member demonstrated to earn this credential, ensuring they meet professional standards.
• Digital Verification – this confirms the digital credential is secure and allows the user to verify in real-time against CIMSPA’s database, ensuring its authenticity and current status.
• Issue & Expiry Dates – these dates show when the credential was issued and when it expires. CIMSPA digital accreditation credentials require ongoing professional development to maintain validity.

Professional status is on the way

There’s a matter of days until professional status launches. As part of it, eligible CIMSPA members will gain access to their own unique digital accreditation credential and will therefore have the opportunity to gain the recognition they deserve for the expertise, standards and commitment they adhere to each and every day.

As a professional in our sector, we urge our members to embrace this opportunity. Step up, stand out and use your professional identity.

Add your digital badge to your social profiles, your emails, your website and encourage customers and potential customers to verify your status.

As the individuals that underpin our sector, you deserve to be professionally recognised for the integral role you play in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the population, social cohesion, community engagement and the economic prosperity of our nation.

1. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-united-kingdom ↩︎
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/553582/predicted-social-network-user-penetration-rate-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ ↩︎