Credentialing occurs when an AHJ or third party provides documentation—typically an identification card or badge—that identifies personnel and authenticates and verifies their qualification for a particular position. While credentialing includes issuing credentials such as identification cards, it is separate from an incident-specific badging process, which includes identity verification, qualification, and deployment authorization.

Certain positions require third-party certification and/or credentialing from an accredited body such as a state licensure board for medical professionals.

While credentialing includes the issuing of identification cards or other credentials, it is separate and distinct from an incident-specific badging process.