A digital badge is a validated, visual representation of your significant achievement with a specific description of the knowledge and skills you’ve achieved to earn it.

Digital badges are quickly becoming the global standard for recognising and publicising professional development. Sharing your digital badge with your social and professional networks (see “How do I share my badge?” below) helps you gain recognition for your achievement from clients, colleagues, and potential employers.

A digital badge strengthens the credibility and visually declares your commitment to quality. According to a recent LinkedIn study, profiles with certifications and badges receive six times the number of profile views. Watch this video(1:38) for an overview.

Once a digital badge’s specific criteria are met, you will be issued a digital badge in approximately 5 business days or less. You will receive an email fromadmin@youracclaim.comwith instructions and a link to claim your badge on the Acclaim platform.

Once you’ve created an account on youracclaim.com and have accepted your digital badge, click on it and choose to “Share” to your choice of social media networks, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Xing. You can also include the digital badge in your e-mail signature, digital resume, or personal blog/website.

From the “Share” menu, choose the “Download Badge” option (downward arrow icon) to download the badge as a PNG file. Then, look for the link icon to link the PNG image to your verifiable badge. Or, copy the HTML code from the embed icon (left and right arrows with a forward slash in between them) and use that on your web page, blog or any platform that accepts HTML.

Important! For your badge to be verified and allow others to see your accomplishment, the badge must be linked through the Acclaim platform.

You can link multiple e-mail addresses to the Acclaim platform if your digital badge is delivered to your work e-mail. Still, your social media accounts are connected to a personal e-mail; it is a seamless experience to share your accomplishment. These instructions are also available here.

You can also watch this video (:40) on how to share your badge.

Your badge needs to be linked to your profile on theAICPA and CIMA Acclaim platformwhich contains verified information.

Every digital badge has a unique URL that should be embedded in your social profile or on your website.

Some of our AICPA and CIMA digital badges expire, while some do not have an expiration date.

For badges that expire, if there have been no significant updates related to information covered in the topical area covered by your badge, your badge will be renewed for another year. If substantial changes have occurred, you will be notified about additional education that must be completed to maintain the badge. If you complete further education, you will remain a badge holder in that topical area, and your digital badge will be updated to reflect competency in the new locations. If you do not complete the additional education, your digital badge will expire automatically.

Please refer to the badge’s information page for further details about the digital badge's potential expiration dates.

No, your digital badge is awarded to the name and email address you used to complete your purchase on the AICPA Store. If someone were to copy the badge, it would not be linked and, therefore, unverified and invalid. If you notice misuse of your digital badge image or URL, please contact us atdigitalbadge@aicpa-cima.com.