NASW Member Digital Badge Pilot Program

The NASW Illinois, Nevada and North Dakota Chapter are excited to introduce a Member Credential digital badge pilot for members of the Illinois, Nevada, and North Dakota chapters. Through our partnership with Credly – a leading digital credential platform used by thousands of organizations (Credly by Pearson) – eligible members can now receive a digital NASW Member badge. This badge is a verified, shareable symbol of your NASW membership and your commitment to the collective and our shared values and standards. Participation in the pilot is limited to the IL, NV, and ND chapters at this time, and will help us evaluate the benefits of digital credentials for our members.

What is the NASW Member Digital Badge?

A digital badge is a web-enabled version of your credential. In this case, it’s a badge that represents your NASW membership. The badge is digital, meaning you can display it online, and it contains embedded data that verifies your membership status. When someone clicks your badge, they can see verified details about your NASW membership (such as your name, chapter, and the fact that NASW issued the credential). It’s more than just an image – it’s a trusted record of your professional affiliation that can be easily validated by others.

Why Claim Your NASW Member Badge?

Claiming your digital member badge is optional but highly encouraged. Here are some key benefits of having and using your badge:

Professional Credibility: The badge validates that you are an NASW member in good standing, which signals to employers, colleagues, and clients that you are committed to the profession’s ethics and ongoing professional community. It’s an easy way to show that you align with NASW’s standards and values. A digital badge is a quick visual cue of your credentials that others can trust.
Verified Recognition: Your NASW badge is issued by NASW and verified through Credly. Anyone who views your badge can click on it to see verified information about your membership – providing instant proof that your affiliation is authentic. Credly badges are widely recognized and valued by employers, peers, and clients, helping to tell your professional story in a complete, validated way.
Shareable & Portable: You can easily take this digital credential wherever you go online. The badge lives in your Credly account, and you can share it across various platforms with just a few clicks. This means your achievement (in this case, NASW membership) can accompany you on different online profiles and documents.
Enhanced Visibility: By sharing your badge, you increase your professional visibility. For example, when you add the NASW Member badge to your LinkedIn profile, recruiters or colleagues browsing your profile will immediately see your NASW affiliation. It’s a great way to stand out in your online presence and showcase your involvement in the professional community of social workers.
No Additional Cost: Claiming and using your badge is free. NASW is providing this as a complimentary member benefit – there is no cost to you at any point to use Credly or share your badge.

How Can You Use Your NASW Digital Badge?

One of the best features of digital badges is their versatility. Once you claim your NASW Member badge, you can display it in many places to maximize your professional presence. Here are a few popular ways to use your badge:

LinkedIn Profile: Add your NASW badge to your LinkedIn profile. You can include it under licenses & certifications or simply share it as a post. This instantly shows your professional network (and potential employers) that you are a proud NASW member. Because the badge is verified, viewers can click it to see NASW’s confirmation of your membership, adding weight to your profile.
Email Signature: Include the badge image (or a link to it) in your email signature. Every email you send will then quietly announce your NASW credentials. It’s a subtle way to let colleagues, clients, and partners know about your professional affiliation with NASW, adding credibility to your communications.
Personal Website or Online Portfolio: If you have a personal website, blog, or online portfolio, embed your digital badge there. It can typically be added as a small image or icon that links to your Credly profile. This lets visitors to your site verify your NASW membership with one click, and it enhances your professional branding on your own platform.
Resume or CV: You can insert the badge (or a hyperlink to its verification page) in your digital resume or curriculum vitae. For instance, in the qualifications or memberships section, you might write “NASW Member – Digital Badge Earned” and link that text to your badge. This provides employers tangible proof of your membership beyond just text. Even on a printed resume, you could include the badge icon as a visual element (just be sure to provide the verification link somewhere, such as on an online version of your resume).
Social Media and More: Credly makes it easy to share your badge to social media like Twitter or Facebook as well . You might share a post celebrating your NASW Member badge, which not only highlights your own accomplishment but also spreads awareness of NASW and the credential. You’re not limited to the above outlets – feel free to get creative with where you showcase your badge.

Remember, the badge comes with built-in verification. Wherever you share it, viewers can always click through to see details confirmed by NASW (for example, “Issued by National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter, Issued on [Date]”). This gives context to your membership and assures anyone viewing it that it’s up-to-date and legitimate.

How to Claim Your Digital Badge

Getting your NASW Member badge is simple and user-friendly. The process is managed through Credly, and here’s what to expect:

Watch for an Email Invitation: Once the pilot program is live and you’re issued the badge, you will receive an email notification from admin@credly.com (Credly’s official sender). The email will clearly state that you’ve earned a badge from NASW and provide a link to claim it. This email is sent to the address associated with your NASW membership. (Tip: If you don’t see the email by the expected date, check your spam/junk folder, and ensure that “admin@credly.com” is added to your safe senders list.)
Create or Log Into Your Credly Account: The email will prompt you to click an “Accept your badge” or “Claim badge” button. Clicking that will take you to Credly’s website. If you already have a Credly account (perhaps from another credential), you can log in. Otherwise, you’ll be guided to create a free Credly account using the same email address. It only takes a minute to set up your account (there is no charge). This account is where your digital badge will live and where you manage it.
Accept Your NASW Badge: After logging in, you should see your pending NASW Member badge. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to accept the badge into your Credly account. Accepting the badge adds it to your collection (often called the Credly “wallet” or dashboard). Now the badge is yours! It will show up as “NASW Member (Illinois Chapter)” or similar, depending on your chapter, in your list of credentials on Credly.
Share and Celebrate: Once you’ve accepted the badge, you can immediately start sharing it. Credly provides easy sharing options. From your badge in Credly, click the “Share” or “Share Badge” button – you can then directly post the badge to LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook, email it to someone, or copy embed code to place it on a website. You decide where and how to showcase it (see the suggestions in the previous section for ideas). Many members choose to announce their new digital badge on LinkedIn, which can be a great way to let your network know about your NASW membership. Hint: If you need detailed guidance on managing and sharing your badge, Credly’s support article on How to accept and manage your digital badge – Credly, Inc. is a helpful resource.

That’s it! The entire process from email to sharing can take just a few minutes. If you run into any snags during the process, Credly’s platform will provide prompts, and you can always reach out to us or Credly support for help. But overall, it’s designed to be user-friendly. NASW chose Credly for its ease of use – we want you to be able to proudly claim your badge without any hassle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How will I know when I’ve received my NASW Member badge?
If you are a member of the Illinois, Nevada, or North Dakota NASW chapter participating in the pilot, you will automatically be issued the digital badge. You’ll know it’s available when you receive the email from Credly (admin@credly.com) inviting you to claim the badge. The email will have the NASW logo or name and instructions, so it should be recognizable. This is the trigger to go ahead and accept your badge. If you haven’t seen the email around the time the program launches, double-check your spam folder just in case. (You might also receive a couple of reminder emails from Credly if you don’t claim the badge right away.)

Do I have to pay for this digital badge?
No – there is no cost to receive or use your NASW Member digital badge. This is a free benefit for members in the participating chapters. Credly accounts are free for earners (badge holders), and NASW is covering any program costs. Using your badge – whether you post it on LinkedIn, download it, or share it – will not cost you anything. If you receive any email that looks like it’s charging you for the badge, that’s not from NASW or Credly – be wary of scams. The official emails from Credly (admin@credly.com) about your NASW badge will never ask for payment.

What if I don’t want to participate?
Participating in the digital badge pilot is completely optional. If you choose not to claim your badge, that’s okay – it won’t affect your NASW membership status in any way. You will continue to receive all your usual member benefits. We strongly encourage you to give the badge a try because it’s a new benefit to showcase your membership, but the decision is yours. If you ignore the Credly email, the badge will simply remain unclaimed (you can even change your mind later within the pilot period if you keep the email). There’s no requirement to use the badge if you don’t want to.

Is my data private and secure if I use the badge?
Yes. Your digital badge is secured through Credly’s platform, which is highly trusted. While the badge icon is an image, it’s uniquely linked to verified data on Credly’s servers, making it more secure than a paper certificate. In terms of privacy, you control what happens with your badge. By default, if you claim the badge, you can decide if you want to make it public or keep it private on Credly. Credly allows you to configure your privacy settings, so you’re in complete control of what information is visible to others. If you want to keep your badge hidden and only share it manually (or not at all), you have that choice. Rest assured that Credly’s platform is GDPR-compliant, so your personal data is handled with care. NASW provided only the necessary membership information to Credly to issue your badge – we have not shared sensitive personal details.

How long does the pilot run, and what happens after the pilot year?
This digital badge initiative is a 1-year pilot program. The pilot begins in 2025 and is expected to run for one year for the IL, NV, and ND chapters. During this period, we’ll be gathering feedback and observing how members use the badges. After the pilot, NASW will evaluate the program’s success and decide on next steps. Our hope is that the pilot will demonstrate value and allow us to improve the program. Possible outcomes could include continuing the digital badge program, making adjustments based on member feedback, or deciding on a different path. We will keep all pilot participants informed about any decisions. Importantly, the digital badge you earn during the pilot is yours to keep. Even after the pilot period ends, any badge you’ve claimed will remain valid for the time it was issued (for example, it will still show that you were an NASW member in that year). If the program continues, your badge may simply stay active as long as your membership is active. We’ll provide clear guidance on this well before the pilot concludes.

How can I give feedback or get help during the pilot?
We truly welcome your feedback on this pilot program. Trying out a new digital tool is a learning process for all of us, and we want to make sure it’s beneficial to you. Throughout the pilot, NASW may reach out with surveys or brief check-ins asking about your experience using the Credly badge – please let us know what you think. You don’t have to wait for a survey, either. If you have thoughts or questions, feel free to contact your chapter office at any time to share feedback. Every suggestion or comment will help us refine the program for possibly expanding it in the future.

If you need help with any aspect of your digital badge, you have resources: You can consult Credly’s online Help Center for articles on managing and sharing badges How to accept and manage your digital badge – Credly, Inc. guide is a great start.

Join the Pilot and Showcase Your NASW Pride

This NASW Member Credential pilot is an exciting opportunity for you to enhance your professional presence and show pride in your NASW membership. It’s a modern, convenient way to let your professional community know that you stand with the NASW and uphold the values of our field. We encourage you to claim your digital badge, explore its features, and use it wherever it can benefit you. Whether you’re a seasoned social worker or new to the profession, your NASW membership is an accomplishment and a commitment worth sharing.

Thank you for being part of this pilot! Your participation will not only give you a new tool for professional recognition, but will also help NASW shape future services for social workers like you. We’re looking forward to seeing NASW member badges proudly displayed across Illinois, Nevada, and North Dakota. If you have any questions or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out – and happy badging!