By default, a Standard template for Certificates is available in your platform. When linking a Certificate to Learning, the Admin has the option to use the Standard template or to select a custom Certificate template.

You as an Admin can customize Certificate templates by navigating to Settings > Certificates. Here, you can edit existing templates or create new ones.

To create a new Certificate template, simply click the button New template in the top-right corner. Under Details, the Admin must first name the Certificate template as well as choose the Document language.

Next, the Admin must choose the Design of the Certificate template. Here, you can decide between the default option, Modern branding with logo, or select a Custom design. The default design allows you to select Branding color as well as Text color.

Below is an example of a Certificate using the Modern branding with logo design.

If you select Custom design, then you have the option to configure your own design. More specifically, you can choose Text color, Text alignment and upload a Background graphic.

Finally, you have the option to add different Elements to the Certificate template. These include:

Finish the Certificate template by clicking Save changes in the top-right corner.

In the settings of a Course/Event/Learning Plan, it is possible to set up the system to issue a Certificate after completion. Upon completion, a digital Certificate will be rewarded to the Learner based on the chosen Certificate template that will be available for both the Employee, their Manager and Admins.

You can access the Certification settings by navigating to Admin > Learning > Courses/Events/Learning Plans > Open the Content you wish to add the Certificate to and click Add certification or click on the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the screen, then click Settings to access the settings menu.

From this view, you can enable Certificates and Renewals by toggling on Issue certificate after completion:

A Certificate is valid permanently by default, but you can change this setting if you wish for the Certificate to expire and thus, require the Learner to renew the Certification.

To change the setting, simply click the dropdown menu Expiry Settings and select the option best suited for your Certification needs:

Here, you will see the different options for customization:

Additionally, if you choose Ahead of expiry, you will be provided an option to set up the Renewal Time Window. This is only applicable if Ahead of expiry is chosen.

The Renewal Time Window allows you to decide how many Days, Weeks, Months, or Years ahead of the Certification expiry the Renewal window opens.

On a Course, Event or Learning Plan with a Certificate, you are also able to add Custom text to the Certificate.

To complete setting up the Certification, click Save settings and close the Settings. Here, you will see the Validity time of the Certificate. Once a user has completed the Course/Event/Learning Plan, this will take effect.

The Course Refresher feature allows you to link a shorter Refresher Course to a main Course with a Certification enabled. Instead of retaking the full Course when a Certificate expires, Learners can complete the Refresher to extend their Certification.

When the Refresher is completed, a new Certificate is issued for the Main Course.

To enable a Course Refresher, go to Admin > Learning > Courses. Open the Course in question as navigate to the Course Settings:

Here, you must enable Issue certificate after completion and select Expires at dynamic interval. From here, you can enable Allow refresher courses which will open additional configuration options.

Once you enable the Refresher, the following options will appear:

Refresher assignments are created automatically when the Renewal Window opens. Upon completing the Refresher Course, a new Certificate is issued for the Main Course. The Refresher assignment is automatically removed after completion.

To document Certification status, you can find the digital Certificates by navigating to Reports > Courses/Events/Learning Plans. Here, you must select the Learning item you wish to report on and click Focus mode > Certifications.

To see the Certification history of a User, click See certification history on the right side of the User's name on the list:

A new window will pop up with the Certification history showing the Date of issue, the Date of expiry, the Certification status (green checkmark if valid - red exclamation mark if expired) and a Download icon:

The example above shows that the Certificate was issued on 3. November 2023 and expires on 3. November 2024. The green checkmark also indicates that the Certificate is valid.

Clicking download will generate a PDF document containing the following information if the Certificate uses the Standard Template:

In addition, if the Certificate uses a Custom template, it will also contain the following information if enabled for the respective Custom template:

As a Manager, you can navigate to Teams & People > Learning. Here, you must first select the User you wish to report on and then click the Courses, Events or Learning Plans tab. Once there, you will be able to select Focus mode > Certifications to see the Certification history of the selected User.

To see a more detailed Certification history of a specific Learning item, click See certification history on the right side of the list and find the same pop up as illustrated for Admins above.

Users can access the same information as Admins and Managers by navigating to My Development > Learning. Here, the User must select the Courses, Events or Learning Plans tab. Once there, they will be able to select Focus mode > Certifications to see their Certification history.

Alternatively, the User can also go to My Development > Learning activities.

If any Learning Rules are set up in the platform, the User must navigate to Certifications by clicking the dropdown in the top-left corner and select Certifications.

If no Learning Rules are set up, they will automatically land on Certifications and find all their Certifications across all Learning items in one list.

When a Certificate is set to expire, notifications will be sent to Learners informing them of the Certificate expiration and directing them to renew.

Certificate and Renewal emails to learners:

· Your certificate renewal is now open!

The email notifies Learners that they can now renew their Certificate. The email will include the expiration date and validity period for the Certificate along with a direct link to the Content which is up for renewal.

· Your certificate is about to expire - 7 days left!

The email reminds Learners their Certification will expire in 7 days. The email will contain the exact expiration date, a direct link to the Content to complete before expiration, and is sent only if the Certificate has not yet been renewed.

· Your certificate has expired!

The email informs Learners their Certification has expired. The email will include the exact expiration date, a direct link to the Content, and is sent only if the Certificate has not yet been renewed.