Legal Definitions - credential

Credential refers to a document or proof that shows a person's authority or expertise. It can also be a testimonial that proves a person's right to exercise official power. In parliamentary law, it is evidence of a delegate's entitlement to be seated and vote in a convention or other deliberative assembly.

• A diploma is a credential that proves a person's expertise in a particular field.
• A government-issued ID card is a credential that proves a person's identity and authority to perform certain actions.
• A badge issued by a conference committee is a credential that allows a person to attend and participate in the conference.

The examples illustrate how a credential can be used to prove a person's authority, expertise, or entitlement to certain privileges or actions. For instance, a diploma is a credential that proves a person's expertise in a particular field, such as medicine or law. A government-issued ID card is a credential that proves a person's identity and authority to perform certain actions, such as driving a car or voting in an election. A badge issued by a conference committee is a credential that allows a person to attend and participate in the conference, indicating that they have paid the registration fee and are authorized to be there.