It is a digital representation of a skill, learning achievement, competency, or experience. Each badge is an image that corresponds to essential information known as metadata. The metadata provides predetermined valuable information contained in the specific digital badge. Badges can be relevant to an academic objective, professional goal, or area of interest. FCC badges have no academic credit. Earners can display their digital badges online and/or share digital badge information through social networks. Sharing of badges provides a more complete picture of your skills, achievements, and abilities, which can then be communicated to employers, associations, organizations, etc.

For an achievement to be badge-worthy it must be resume-worthy. Badges should represent skills and outcomes that employers care about and that can be verified by an established set of criteria.

Each badge description helps you decide if the badge is something you want to complete. The description includes a brief overview, approximately how long it takes to complete, type of learning environment (face-to-face, online, hybrid), dates to meet (if required), types of assignments, and cost.

It is open to anyone who would like to learn more about a subject or improve their skills.

The cost will be based on the badge. Price will be displayed in the Continuing Education & Workforce Development registration site.

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Core components of a badge include the metadata needed to determine its validity, authenticity, source, and value. This information includes the earner (who achieved the badge), the issuer (FCC), the badge’s criteria and description (what the earner needs to do or demonstrate), evidence (proof) that predetermined requirements are met, verification by faculty/trainer/facilitator that requirements were satisfactorily met, date awarded, and its expiration date (if needed). This information is shareable by the earner for each badge awarded.

Length of time varies according to each type of badge. See information specific to each badge.

A badge will be awarded only when you complete all coursework requirements, present the evidence (proof) as required by the course criteria, and it is verified by faculty/trainer/facilitator that requirements were satisfactorily met. Only when you claim the badge will it be displayed in your Credly backpack ready to share.

Notification of a badge will not go on your FCC transcript, but you may use it on your digital resume or social media.

• Enroll for an FCC digital badge.
• Complete the badge requirements satisfactorily.
• Submit evidence of proof you met badge requirements.
• Wait while your facilitator evaluates your submitted evidence.
• Receive verification of your badge.
• Claim your earned digital badge.
• Share your digital badge on your resume, email signature line, and/or social media platforms.

FCC badges only expire if it is noted in the badge course requirements. Most badges do not expire.

Anyone you share your badge with and in a variety of ways.

Absolutely. Badges can support degree and certificate programs. Earning a badge while attending college demonstrates your desire to learn and can broaden your knowledge within an area of interest. A badge is measured in actual competencies and enhances traditional credentials.

Absolutely. Badges can help current employees add to their qualifications by showcasing professional development credentials.

Benefits to the earner include:

• Concrete evidence and proof of your skills, achievements, and abilities.
• Allow specific recognition for “essential skills” or “employability skills,” such as ability to collaborate, communicate, work as a team member, recognize skills and qualities that are valuable in many contexts.
• Create a more complete representation of your learning and experience.
• Unlock new career and learning opportunities, potentially allowing employers and other stakeholders to better match individuals to jobs, courses, and projects.
• Capture your learning path and history by earning badges dated as they occur.
• Group digital badges into collections for sharing through channels.

In general, resumes are static and need to be updated frequently. Badges are more dynamic representing new skills, competencies, abilities, and knowledge learned with issue dates. Transparency of what you did to earn the badge can be cross walked with the specific requirements found on a job description. In this way, job candidates can demonstrate they have the perfect blend of specific skills employers want for a job — not just that they passed a college degree or certificate program.