Preliminary findings highlight the need for infrastructure that allows credentials to be recognized at scale

 

BURLINGTON, Mass., March 26, 2026 — Hundreds of millions of digital credentials are already in circulation worldwide, and millions more are issued every year. But a new survey from 1EdTech finds that while credentials are widely offered and earned, they are rarely integrated into the systems employers use to evaluate skills and qualifications.

To better understand how the digital credential ecosystem is evolving, 1EdTech reached out to 100 leading organizations across education, workforce, and technology sectors. Forty-three organizations responded, including 29 members of 1EdTech and 14 non-members, representing credential issuers, digital wallet providers, verification services, and employer-facing platforms.

“Digital credentials are being issued at an unprecedented scale, while the infrastructure to move them into workforce systems is still developing,” said Curtiss Barnes, CEO of 1EdTech. “Collectively, we still have a lot of work to do. This survey provides a snapshot of where the ecosystem stands today and where the biggest opportunities lie.”

Credentials Are Shareable, but Employer Integration Remains Limited

The survey found most platforms support ways for learners to share credentials externally, typically through downloadable files or shareable links that can be posted online or sent directly to employers.

However, direct integration with employer systems remains uncommon. Respondents identified several barriers to credential exchange:

  • 72% cited employer systems that are not yet ready to receive credentials
     
  • 60% cited inconsistent data models across platforms
     
  • 56% cited a lack of agreed-upon APIs
     

These findings suggest that while credentials are visible and easy to share, they do not consistently reach the systems where hiring and recognition decisions occur.

Credential Exchange Still Relies Heavily on Files

The survey also examined how credentials move between platforms.

  • 60% of respondents said credential ingestion currently supports downloadable files and uploads
     
  • 53% also support credential exchange through APIs

An API (Application Programming Interface) allows different software systems to connect and share information automatically. While APIs are supported by many platforms, file-based exchange remains the most common method today.

Implementation of Transport Mechanisms

One of the main elements of the survey was understanding which transport mechanisms are currently in use, establishing a ground truth that allows us to better understand what is really happening in the market. 

Survey respondents indicated that the Open Badges API was the most widely adopted transport mechanism, with approximately half of all platforms implementing it for inbound (47%) and outbound (51%) sharing, a claim supported, at least in part, by the 1EdTech members who have certified their platforms. (See the 1EdTech TrustEd Apps Directory).

Other top mechanisms reported by implementers include:

  • VCALM (pronounced V-CALM), previously called VC-API, (30% inbound and 37% outbound)
  • Proprietary API solutions (26% inbound and 42% outbound)

These results indicate a strong technical foundation for credential exchange, though implementation varies across the ecosystem.

Simplicity and Adoption Are Top Priorities

Survey responses suggest that while there are existing APIs to meet technical needs, some gaps remain in the existing solutions. It is also possible that there is an awareness and adoption barrier to some of the newer and emerging solutions and the use cases they support.

When asked about the adequacy of existing APIs:

  • 38% said current APIs are sufficient or mostly sufficient
     
  • 23% said APIs may be adequate but lack market awareness and adoption
     
  • 23% said APIs are partially sufficient, but significant gaps remain
     
  • 9% said they do not meet current needs
     
  • 7% were unsure
     

Respondents also identified simplicity as the most important priority for future API development:

  • 72% said APIs should prioritize simplicity
     
  • 53% emphasized alignment with Open Badges and Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) standards

These findings suggest that the ecosystem is less focused on creating new standards and more focused on simplifying implementation and accelerating adoption of existing ones.

Methodology and Next Steps

Participation in the survey was voluntary, with respondents providing consent for attribution. Respondents represent a global cross-section of organizations involved in issuing, storing, verifying, and consuming digital credentials.

The full report is available here.

This survey provides preliminary findings for 1EdTech's efforts to better understand the digital credentials ecosystem. Another report, including responses and data from employers, will provide additional insights into how digital credentials are being used in hiring and workforce recognition.

Results from both reports will also be discussed at the 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference, taking place June 1–3, 2026, in San Francisco.




 

About 1EdTech Consortium

1EdTech® Consortium is a global community committed to building an integrated foundation of open standards that make educational technology work better for everyone. Our mission is to reduce complexity, accelerate innovation, and expand possibilities for learners worldwide. Our members represent K-12, primary, secondary, and postsecondary education organizations, workforce and corporate education providers, and technology providers. Together, we create and evolve community-developed technical standards and practices that support learner success throughout the lifelong learning continuum. Our organization gives a voice to all stakeholders working to improve education. 1EdTech hosts the Learning Impact Conference in the United States and in Europe, as well as other engagement opportunities to advance the leadership and ideas that shape the future of learning. Visit our website at 1edtech.org.