Boost your career with official credentials. Learn about what they are and why they matter. Vocabulary in this post certification noun /ˌsɜːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ /ˌsɝtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ A professional qualification that certifies a person's ability. Examples: "To work at the bakery, Sarah needed a food handling certification. " license noun /ˈlaɪsəns/ A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit. Examples: "My daughter needed a driver's license to get a job at the local store. " credential noun /kɹɪˈdɛnʃəl/ (chiefly in the plural) documentary or electronic evidence that a person has certain status or privileges Examples: "May I see your credentials, please?" qualification noun /ˌkwɒlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ /ˌkwɑlɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ A certificate, diploma, or degree awarded after successful completion of a course, training, or exam. Examples: "My sister received her qualification in nursing after three years of study. " endorsement noun /ɪnˈdɔːrsmənt/ /ɛnˈdɔːrsmənt/ The act or quality of endorsing Examples: "Companies sometimes pay millions for product endorsement by celebrities." accreditation noun [əˌkɹɛd.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən] [əˌkɹɛd.ɨɾˈeɪ.ʃən] The granting of approval to an institution of higher learning by an official review board after the school has met certain requirements. Examples: "The university received accreditation from the national board, proving its high standards. " validation noun /ˌvæl.əˈdeɪ.ʃən/ The act of validating something. Examples: "The software testing team performed a thorough validation of the new application to ensure it worked correctly before release. " competence noun /ˈkɒmpətəns/ The quality or state of being competent, i.e. able or suitable for a general role. Examples: "The teacher praised the student's competence in math. " recognition noun /ˌɹɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/ Acceptance as valid or true Examples: "The law was a recognition of their civil rights." requirement noun /ɹɪˈkwʌɪəm(ə)nt/ /ɹɪˈkwaɪɹmənt/ A necessity or prerequisite; something required or obligatory. Its adpositions are generally of in relation to who or what has given it, on in relation to whom or what it is given to, and for in relation to what is required. Examples: "There was a requirement of the government on citizens for paying taxes." standard noun /ˈstændəd/ /ˈstændəɹd/ A principle or example or measure used for comparison. Examples: "The school's new uniform policy is the standard for all students. "