Standard for Credential Status Definitions

Scope

Applies to every credential record published in the 1Cert.org registry.

1. Statuses. A credential record carries exactly one of four statuses: Active (in force as recorded by its source); Suspended (paused by the issuing body pending a stated condition); Expired (validity period lapsed); Revoked (withdrawn by the issuing body or the registry).
2. Query outcome. Not recorded is a query outcome, not a status: the registry holds no record matching the query. It is neither evidence that a credential does not exist nor confirmation that it does.
3. Transitions. Every status change is recorded with its effective date and its recording source, and the prior status remains in the record history.
4. Reliance guidance. Routine reliance is appropriate on Active only.