Introduction
Academic credentialing software refers to digital infrastructure designed to issue, manage, and verify educational achievements such as degrees, diplomas, transcripts, and micro-credentials. In the modern era, the shift from physical paper certificates to digital “verifiable credentials” has been driven by the need for instant validation and the global mobility of students and professionals. These platforms allow institutions to grant tamper-proof digital records that learners can share with employers or other academic bodies with a single click.
As we progress through the current decade, the significance of these platforms has expanded beyond simple PDF delivery. They now serve as the “source of truth” in an increasingly skills-based economy, where micro-credentialing and lifelong learning are becoming standard. For buyers, the focus has shifted from basic digitization to ensuring long-term data portability and cryptographic security. These systems are essential for reducing administrative overhead, preventing credential fraud, and providing learners with a permanent digital “backpack” of their life’s work.
Real-world use cases include:
- University Admissions: Instantly verifying international transcripts to speed up the enrollment process.
- Employer Verification: Allowing HR departments to validate a candidate’s degree without manual contact with the registrar.
- Professional Licensing: Ensuring that specialized certifications (e.g., in healthcare or engineering) are authentic and current.
- Micro-credentialing: Issuing digital badges for short-form courses or specific skill competencies.
- Statewide Reporting: Centralizing student achievement data across public school systems for better policy tracking.
What buyers should evaluate:
- Interoperability Standards: Support for Open Badges, W3C Verifiable Credentials, and CLR (Comprehensive Learner Record).
- Security Framework: The use of blockchain or advanced digital signatures to prevent tampering.
- Ease of Sharing: How easily a student can post their achievement to LinkedIn or a digital resume.
- SIS/LMS Integration: Ability to pull data directly from systems like Banner, PeopleSoft, or Canvas.
- Learner Ownership: Whether the student maintains access to the credential even if they leave the institution.
- Verification Workflow: The speed and friction-level for third-party verifiers (e.g., employers).
- Analytics and Insights: Data on how many students are sharing their credentials and where they are being used.
Best for: Higher education institutions, K-12 school districts, professional certification bodies, and large corporations with internal training programs.
Not ideal for: Simple hobbyist blogs, very small one-time workshops, or organizations that do not require formal verification of learning outcomes.
Key Trends in Academic Credentialing Platforms
- Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI): A move toward models where the learner, not the institution, owns and controls their identity and all associated credentials.
- Blockchain-Anchored Verifications: Using decentralized ledgers to ensure that even if a platform goes offline, the credential remains independently verifiable forever.
- Stackable Micro-credentials: The ability to “nest” smaller certificates into larger degrees, allowing for more granular tracking of skills.
- AI-Enhanced Skills Mapping: Automated tagging of course outcomes to industry-standard skill taxonomies (like Lightcast or O*NET).
- Wallet-First Portability: Integration with mobile wallets (Apple/Google) to allow graduates to carry their degrees on their phones.
- Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Emerging technology that allows a student to prove they have a degree without revealing their full transcript or GPA.
- Omnichannel Delivery: Simultaneously issuing digital, physical, and blockchain-based versions of a single credential.
How We Selected These Tools (Methodology)
The selection of the top academic credentialing platforms involved a comprehensive review of the educational technology market, prioritizing tools that have demonstrated high reliability and broad adoption. We evaluated each platform based on its ability to handle “high-stakes” documents like official transcripts and degrees, where security is paramount. A significant weight was placed on “network effects”—the value a platform provides by being recognized by thousands of other institutions and employers.
We also analyzed the technical architecture, specifically looking for platforms that adhere to open standards to prevent “vendor lock-in.” Security signals such as SOC 2 compliance and FERPA alignment were critical markers of a platform’s suitability for handling sensitive student data. Finally, we looked at the user experience for both the administrative staff (the issuers) and the students (the earners), ensuring that the transition from paper to digital is as frictionless as possible.
Top 10 Academic Credentialing Platforms Tools
1 — Parchment
Parchment is the world’s largest credentialing network, specializing in the secure exchange of transcripts, diplomas, and digital certificates. It acts as a massive bridge between K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and employers.
Key Features
- Parchment Send/Receive: A unified inbox for institutions to manage all inbound and outbound credential requests.
- Digital Diploma Services: Issuance of high-fidelity, secure digital versions of traditional degrees.
- Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR): A modern transcript format that captures skills and competencies beyond just grades.
- Automation Workflows: Automated processing of transcript requests to reduce registrar manual labor.
- Records Digitization: Services to convert legacy paper archives into searchable, indexed digital files.
- Global Network Integration: Direct connections to nearly 95% of US higher education institutions.
Pros
- The most widely recognized network; almost every US college is already a member.
- Supports an incredible variety of document types, from GEDs to professional licenses.
Cons
- The interface for smaller schools can sometimes feel overly complex.
- Pricing for premium features can be high for institutions with low volume.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web / Windows / macOS
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: Safe scene script execution, end-to-end encryption, MFA.
- Compliance: FERPA, SOC 2, GDPR.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Parchment integrates with almost every major Student Information System (SIS) including Banner, PeopleSoft, and Workday. It also has a strong ecosystem for international evaluations through its partnership with Digitary.
Support & Community
Extensive professional support for institutional members. They provide a dedicated “Parchment Academy” for training and have a large community of registrars who share best practices.
2 — National Student Clearinghouse
A non-profit organization that serves as the leading provider of educational reporting and verification services in the United States. It is the primary source for verifying student enrollment and degree completion for the majority of US colleges.
Key Features
- Transcript Services: Secure, fast delivery of digital transcripts with 24/7 ordering for students.
- DegreeVerify: A centralized database used by thousands of employers to verify candidate degrees instantly.
- StudentTracker: A powerful tool for institutions to track their graduates’ persistence and completion across other schools.
- Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP): An analytics suite that helps schools make data-driven decisions to improve student outcomes.
- Audit and Compliance Reporting: Automated reporting to ensure schools meet federal financial aid requirements.
- Electronic Data Exchange (EDX): Secure transfer of large datasets between different educational entities.
Pros
- Unmatched authority in the US; viewed as the definitive “source of truth” for academic data.
- Massive data coverage, including over 97% of all students in Title IV institutions.
Cons
- Primarily focused on the US market; limited international coverage compared to other tools.
- The user interface for individual students can feel more functional than modern or “slick.”
Platforms / Deployment
- Web-based
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: Advanced threat protection, ISO-rated data centers, strict RBAC.
- Compliance: FERPA, SOC 2, HIPAA.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Deeply embedded in the financial aid and lending ecosystem. Integrates with major SIS platforms to automate the flow of enrollment and graduation data.
Support & Community
Provides extensive webinars, a dedicated “Clearinghouse Academy,” and robust technical documentation for institutional IT departments.
3 — Credly by Pearson
Credly is the market leader for digital badges and micro-credentials. It is designed to help organizations translate learning outcomes into a “skills-based” language that is easily understood by the labor market.
Key Features
- Open Badge Standard: Full compliance with global standards for portable digital badges.
- Talent Directory: A searchable database where employers can find candidates with specific verified skills.
- Labor Market Insights: Real-time data showing earners the job opportunities and salary ranges linked to their badges.
- AI Template Generator: Uses machine learning to help issuers create badge templates based on existing course descriptions.
- Pathways: Allows issuers to stack multiple badges into a larger certification or learning journey.
- Mobile Wallet Support: Earners can store and show their badges directly from their mobile device.
Pros
- Superior “social shareability,” with deep integration for LinkedIn “Licenses & Certifications” sections.
- Exceptional analytics that show issuers exactly how and where their credentials are being shared.
Cons
- Better suited for badges and micro-credentials than for formal, multi-page academic transcripts.
- The platform is highly “Credly-branded” unless you pay for top-tier white-labeling.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web / iOS / Android
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: SSO integration, blockchain-anchored verification, secure metadata mapping.
- Compliance: ISO 27001, ISO 27701, GDPR, SOC 2.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Deeply integrated with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle. It also features a robust API and Zapier integration for custom workflows.
Support & Community
Highly professional onboarding and customer success teams. They maintain a vast “Knowledge Base” and host regular events for credentialing professionals.
4 — Canvas Credentials (formerly Badgr)
Integrated directly into the world’s most popular LMS, Canvas Credentials provides a seamless way for educators to issue digital badges and track learner pathways as students progress through a course.
Key Features
- Pathway Visualization: A map-like interface that shows students what badges they need to earn next.
- Automated Issuance: Badges are automatically awarded when a student completes a specific module or assignment in Canvas.
- Digital Backpack: A free, lifelong storage space for students to collect and share their badges.
- Leaderboards: Gamification features to encourage healthy competition and engagement within a course.
- White-Labeling: Options for institutions to brand the badge awarding experience.
- LTI 1.3 Support: High-security integration standard for modern educational software.
Pros
- Zero friction for existing Canvas users; badges appear right in the learning environment.
- Offers a very strong “forever free” tier for small-scale badge issuing.
Cons
- Functionality is heavily optimized for Canvas users; standalone use can be less intuitive.
- Advanced analytics and “Pathways” are locked behind the Pro/Credentials subscription.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web / Integrated into Canvas LMS
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: Secure LTI connection, data encryption at rest, student privacy controls.
- Compliance: FERPA, GDPR.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Native to the Instructure (Canvas) ecosystem. It also supports the Open Badges 2.0 standard, allowing badges to be exported to other compliant backpacks.
Support & Community
Strong community support through the Canvas user forums. Official documentation is excellent and geared toward educators rather than just IT staff.
5 — Digitary by Everitas
Digitary is a leading international platform for the issuance and verification of official academic records. It is the primary infrastructure for many national projects in Australia, Canada, and Europe.
Key Features
- Digitary CORE: A secure portal for students to view, share, and track their official academic documents.
- Life-long Access: Learners retain access to their verified records even after they graduate.
- Blockchain Notarization: Optional anchoring of documents to the blockchain for permanent, decentralized verification.
- International Admissions Hub: Streamlined tools for institutions to receive and verify documents from overseas applicants.
- PAdES/XAdES Signatures: Compliance with high-end EU standards for electronic signatures on PDF and XML files.
- Revocation Management: Allows institutions to instantly update or revoke a document if an error is found.
Pros
- Extremely strong in international mobility; highly trusted by immigration and credential evaluation agencies.
- Focuses on “official” records (transcripts/degrees) rather than just badges, offering high evidentiary value.
Cons
- The user interface feels more like a secure banking portal than a modern social app.
- Adoption is concentrated in specific regions (APAC/EMEA), though it is growing in North America.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web-based
- Cloud / Hybrid
Security & Compliance
- Features: Advanced cryptographic signatures, audit logs, GDPR-compliant sharing controls.
- Compliance: GDPR, eIDAS (EU), Australian Electronic Transactions Act.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Part of the Parchment network, allowing for global reach. It integrates with major SIS providers like Ellucian and Tribal.
Support & Community
Highly responsive support for institutional partners. The community is focused on international education standards and policy.
6 — Accredible
Accredible is a highly polished, design-focused platform that manages both digital certificates and badges. It is favored by professional organizations and tech companies for its ease of use and beautiful recipient experience.
Key Features
- Certificate Designer: A powerful, drag-and-drop tool to create professional-looking diplomas and certificates.
- One-Click Acceptance: Removes the friction of account creation for learners to claim their achievements.
- Spotlight Directories: Public-facing directories where an organization can showcase its certified members.
- Digital Wallet Cards: Visual cards that earners can add to Apple and Google Wallets.
- Deep Analytics: Tracks how many people are viewing the certificates and where they are being shared.
- Bulk Issuance: Can handle thousands of credential awards in seconds via CSV or API.
Pros
- The most user-friendly interface for both administrators and students.
- Excellent customization options that allow for a fully white-labeled experience.
Cons
- Can be more expensive than competitors for high-volume enterprise needs.
- The focus is more on “certification” than on “academic transcript” management.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web / Mobile Web
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: SOC 2 Type II security, end-to-end encryption, automated expiration management.
- Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, FERPA.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Features a wide range of integrations with LMS, CRM, and marketing tools (Salesforce, HubSpot, Teachable).
Support & Community
Offers a “Credentialing Academy” to help users build better programs. Support is highly rated, including dedicated success managers for larger accounts.
7 — BCdiploma
BCdiploma uses blockchain technology to provide a 100% decentralized way to issue and verify degrees. It is a “clean” technology solution that requires no central database for the verification step.
Key Features
- Blockchain-Native: Every diploma is a unique, tamper-proof record anchored directly to a public or private ledger.
- No Database Verification: Third parties verify the record directly via the blockchain without needing to contact BCdiploma or the school.
- Short Link Sharing: Graduates get a permanent, short URL that displays their verified degree in any browser.
- Multilingual Support: Easily issue credentials in multiple languages for global graduates.
- LMS Connectors: Direct plugins for Moodle and other popular open-source platforms.
- Long-term Cryptography: Automatically upgrades security protocols over time to stay ahead of code-breaking tech.
Pros
- Truly “future-proof”; the credential remains verifiable even if the issuing company or platform ceases to exist.
- Extremely high security; it is virtually impossible to “hack” or forge a BCdiploma record.
Cons
- The concept of blockchain can be a “hard sell” for conservative academic boards.
- Lacks the extensive talent directories and social features found in tools like Credly or Accredible.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web-based
- Cloud / Blockchain-as-a-Service
Security & Compliance
- Features: Decentralized identity, tamper-proof storage, advanced encryption.
- Compliance: GDPR, ISO 27001.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Integrates with open-source LMS platforms and has a growing API for custom enterprise connections.
Support & Community
Focused on a developer-friendly approach with robust documentation. The community is centered around Web3 and “EdTech” innovation.
8 — Certifier
Certifier is a fast-growing, cloud-native platform designed for speed and affordability. It is particularly popular with small-to-medium educational institutions and online course providers.
Key Features
- Visual Certificate Builder: Includes a large library of pre-made, professional templates.
- Automated Email Delivery: Customizes the email experience for students to claim their awards.
- Dynamic Data Fields: Automatically pulls student names, dates, and grades into the certificate design.
- LinkedIn Integration: One-click sharing to the LinkedIn profile feed.
- Verification Portal: A simple, public-facing page where anyone can verify a certificate ID.
- Credential Tracking: Real-time dashboard showing the status of all issued certificates.
Pros
- One of the most affordable professional-grade tools on the market.
- Extremely fast setup; a new user can issue their first batch of certificates in under 15 minutes.
Cons
- Lacks the deep “academic transcript” and “SIS integration” depth of Parchment or NSC.
- Less established in the traditional higher-education “high stakes” degree market.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web-based
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: Standard data encryption, password-protected verification links.
- Compliance: GDPR.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Strong integration with tools like Zapier, making it easy to connect with Google Sheets or Typeform.
Support & Community
Good online documentation and a responsive chat-based support team. The community is focused on digital entrepreneurship and non-traditional education.
9 — Truecopy
Truecopy is a specialized platform focused on the verification and secure delivery of electronic transcripts for international students, particularly those moving from India and the Middle East to the US and Canada.
Key Features
- Verified Electronic Transcripts: 100% verified documents delivered directly from universities to evaluation agencies.
- Direct Integration with WES/ECE: Seamless delivery to major credential evaluators like World Education Services.
- Global Evaluation Network: Partners with NASBA, IERF, and other high-stakes verification bodies.
- Tamper-Evident PDFs: Uses advanced digital signatures that break if the document is altered.
- Student Dashboard: Allows applicants to track exactly when their transcripts were received by agencies.
- University Portal: Helps administrative staff manage high volumes of international document requests.
Pros
- Solves a massive pain point for international students by eliminating physical mail and manual verification.
- Highly trusted by the “Big Three” evaluation agencies in North America.
Cons
- Very specialized; not a general-purpose badge or micro-credentialing platform.
- The user interface is strictly utilitarian and focused on process rather than aesthetics.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web-based
- Cloud / Desktop (University side)
Security & Compliance
- Features: Digital signature certificates, secure document “vaults.”
- Compliance: Not publicly stated.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Deeply integrated with the global network of credential evaluation agencies and specialized university registrar systems.
Support & Community
Focused on a high-touch support model for students and universities. The community is built around international student mobility.
10 — Sertifier
Sertifier is a comprehensive digital credentialing platform that bridges the gap between traditional certificates and data-driven badges. It focuses heavily on “skills tagging” to make credentials more valuable to earners.
Key Features
- Smart Skills Tagging: Connects every certificate to specific skills from standardized global taxonomies.
- Certificate & Badge Hybrid: Allows organizations to issue both formats from a single workflow.
- Education Marketing Suite: Tools to help organizations turn their credentials into lead-generation assets.
- Automated Expiry Alerts: Reminds earners when they need to re-certify or update their skills.
- Verifiable QR Codes: Every physical or digital certificate includes a QR code for instant phone-based verification.
- Enterprise Dashboard: Comprehensive views of an organization’s entire “skills inventory” based on issued credentials.
Pros
- Strong focus on the “ROI” of credentialing for the issuing organization.
- Very flexible pricing that scales well with the number of recipients.
Cons
- The range of features can be overwhelming for someone who just wants to issue a simple PDF.
- Customizing the email and landing page experience requires a higher-tier subscription.
Platforms / Deployment
- Web-based
- Cloud-hosted
Security & Compliance
- Features: Blockchain-verifiable records, data encryption, RBAC.
- Compliance: GDPR.
Integrations & Ecosystem
Features a robust set of integrations including Canvas, Moodle, and HubSpot. Its API is well-documented for custom builds.
Support & Community
Very active in the “EdTech” space with frequent updates and webinars. They offer strong 24/5 customer support.
Comparison Table (Top 10)
| Tool Name | Best For | Platform(s) Supported | Deployment | Standout Feature | Public Rating |
| Parchment | US Higher Ed / K-12 | Web, Win, Mac | Cloud | Global Registrar Network | 4.6/5 |
| National Student Clearinghouse | Degree Verification | Web | Cloud | Postsecondary Data Partnership | 4.4/5 |
| Credly by Pearson | Professional Badging | Web, iOS, Android | Cloud | Talent Search Directory | 4.7/5 |
| Canvas Credentials | Canvas LMS Users | Web | Cloud | Pathway Visualization | 4.5/5 |
| Digitary | International Mobility | Web | Hybrid | PAdES Secure Signatures | 4.3/5 |
| Accredible | High-End Certs | Web | Cloud | Spotlight Directories | 4.8/5 |
| BCdiploma | Future-proof / Web3 | Web | Blockchain | 100% Decentralized Verify | 4.5/5 |
| Certifier | Budget-Friendly | Web | Cloud | One-Click Templates | 4.7/5 |
| Truecopy | Int’l Transcript Eval | Web | Cloud | Evaluation Agency Connect | N/A |
| Sertifier | Skills Analytics | Web | Cloud | Standardized Skills Tagging | 4.6/5 |
Evaluation & Scoring of Academic Credentialing Platforms
The scoring below is a comparative model intended to help shortlisting. Each criterion is scored from 1–10, then a weighted total from 0–10 is calculated using the weights listed. These are analyst estimates based on typical fit and common workflow requirements, not public ratings.
Weights:
Core features – 25%
Ease of use – 15%
Integrations & ecosystem – 15%
Security & compliance – 10%
Performance & reliability – 10%
Support & community – 10%
Price / value – 15%
| Tool Name | Core (25%) | Ease (15%) | Integrations (15%) | Security (10%) | Performance (10%) | Support (10%) | Value (15%) | Weighted Total |
| Parchment | 10 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 8.55 |
| National Student Clearinghouse | 9 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8.45 |
| Credly | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8.70 |
| Canvas Credentials | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8.15 |
| Accredible | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 8.80 |
| BCdiploma | 8 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7.95 |
How to interpret the scores:
- Use the weighted total to shortlist candidates, then validate with a pilot.
- A lower score can mean specialization, not weakness.
- Security and compliance scores reflect controllability and governance fit, because certifications are often not publicly stated.
- Actual outcomes vary with assembly size, team skills, templates, and process maturity.
Which Academic Credentialing Software Tool Is Right for You?
Solo / Freelancer
If you are an independent instructor or consultant, Certifier is the most logical choice. It offers professional-looking templates and a simple automated delivery system for a fraction of the cost of enterprise suites.
SMB
For small schools or bootcamp providers, Accredible is often the best fit. It allows you to build a high-end brand experience and a member directory that adds tangible value for your graduates as they look for work.
Mid-Market
Vocational colleges and mid-sized universities should evaluate Sertifier or Canvas Credentials. These tools provide the necessary depth for tracking learner progress without the extreme overhead of a global network like Parchment.
Enterprise
For national education systems or large university clusters, the Parchment and Digitary ecosystem is the only realistic choice. They provide the scale and international recognition required for high-stakes credential exchange across borders.
Budget vs Premium
- Budget: Canvas Credentials (Free tier) and Certifier.
- Premium: Accredible (for branding) and Parchment (for network reach).
Feature Depth vs Ease of Use
If you need depth (transcripts, compliance, state reporting), go with National Student Clearinghouse. If you need ease of use and a beautiful student experience, choose Accredible.
Integrations & Scalability
For organizations already using the Canvas LMS, Canvas Credentials is the most scalable option as it requires almost no new IT overhead.
Security & Compliance Needs
If your primary concern is preventing fraud in high-risk regions, BCdiploma‘s blockchain architecture or Digitary‘s PAdES-compliant signatures provide the highest level of cryptographic assurance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a “Verifiable Credential”?
A verifiable credential is a digital document that contains cryptographic proof of its authenticity. Unlike a standard PDF, it can be checked against a digital signature or blockchain ledger to ensure it hasn’t been altered.
Do employers actually trust digital degrees?
Yes. In 2026, digital verification is actually preferred over paper because it eliminates the need for manual background checks. Most major HR platforms (like Workday) now integrate directly with credentialing networks.
Can a student lose their digital degree?
Not with modern platforms. Most tools provide a “lifelong backpack” or wallet where the student owns the record. Even if the school changes software, the record usually persists in a standards-compliant format.
Is blockchain necessary for credentialing?
It is not strictly necessary, but it is highly beneficial for “long-term” security. It ensures that a degree can be verified even if the issuing platform goes out of business decades from now.
How much does it cost to issue a digital certificate?
Costs vary wildly. Some platforms charge per “active recipient” per year, while others charge a one-time fee per certificate issued (ranging from $0.50 to $5.00 depending on volume).
Can I issue badges and degrees from the same platform?
Yes, tools like Accredible and Sertifier are designed to handle both. This allows an institution to track everything from a 4-year degree to a 2-hour workshop in one place.
How do international transcripts get verified?
International platforms like Digitary and Truecopy connect directly to the registrar’s office of the home university, ensuring the data is “source-verified” before it reaches the evaluation agency.
What is FERPA compliance?
FERPA is a US federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Any credentialing platform operating in the US must have strict data controls to ensure they are FERPA-compliant.
Can a school revoke a digital degree?
Yes. If a degree was issued in error or for fraudulent reasons, the issuer can “revoke” the digital signature. Anyone trying to verify the link afterward will see a “Revoked” status.
What happens to paper diplomas?
Paper diplomas are still common for “wall display,” but the digital version is now considered the legal “official” record for employment and further education purposes.
Conclusion
The transition to digital academic credentialing is a fundamental shift in how we value and track human achievement. Whether you are a large university looking to modernize your registrar’s office or a professional body seeking to issue stackable badges, the market now offers a range of tools that cater to every scale and security requirement. The “best” platform is ultimately the one that your students can most easily share and that your peers most readily recognize.