> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.opentechacademy.org/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Certificates & Verification

> Earn shareable Open Tech Academy course certificates and validate them through our public verification portal at verify.opentechacademy.org.

To reward study and dedication, Open Tech Academy offers shareable certificates for completed courses and full learning pathways.

***

## Computer Hardware Path Certificate Tiers

Students working through the Computer Hardware path can earn tiered certificates based on completion milestones.

```mermaid theme={null}
graph TD
    %% Milestone Tiers
    HW101(HW101: Fundamentals) --> Bronze[Bronze Certificate]
    HW2xx(Any Two HW2xx Deep Dives) --> Bronze
    
    Bronze --> Silver[Silver Certificate]
    HW4DeepDives(Four HW2xx Deep Dives) --> Silver
    HWAdvanced(One Advanced Course: HW301 or HW401) --> Silver
    
    Silver --> Gold[Gold Certificate]
    HWAll(Finish Every Course in Path) --> Gold
```

### Bronze Certificate

* **Requirements**: Complete `HW101` and any two `HW2xx` deep-dive courses.
* **Audience**: Ideal for showing a basic grasp of desktop hardware assembly and specific subsystems.

### Silver Certificate

* **Requirements**: Complete `HW101`, any four `HW2xx` deep-dive courses, and one advanced course (`HW301` or `HW401`).
* **Audience**: Demonstrates intermediate expertise across multiple subsystems and advanced integration principles.

### Gold Certificate

* **Requirements**: Complete all 9 courses in the Computer Hardware path.
* **Audience**: Our highest hardware credential, representing full mastery of PC building, motherboard architectures, expansion, and system integration.

***

## Public Certificate Verification

To ensure the validity of our credentials, we host a public verification lookup portal at [verify.opentechacademy.org](https://verify.opentechacademy.org).

* **How it Works**: Employers, teachers, and sponsors can enter the unique verification code printed on any Open Tech Academy certificate.
* **What it Returns**: The lookup queries our database and returns:
  * Recipient Name
  * Course or Learning Path Title
  * Issue Date
  * Expiration or Revocation status (if applicable)

<Info>
  The verification system is fully automated and runs serverless functions against our central PostgreSQL database to verify records in real time.
</Info>