--- title: Managing Participant Onboarding with Credentials description: Learn how to use Credentials and Packages to onboard participants, gate opportunities, and track each participant's progress. --- [Skip to content](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/how-do-i-use-credentials#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Support Request](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer Portal](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/customer?hsLang=en) [![Golden Volunteer](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo-Goldfish-RGB-1.png?width=171&height=50&name=Logo-Goldfish-RGB-1.png)](https://Goldenvolunteer.com) - [Blog](https://goldenvolunteer.com/blog/) - [Ebooks](https://goldenvolunteer.com/ebooks/) - [Webinars](https://goldenvolunteer.com/webinars/) - [Partner Directory](https://goldenvolunteer.com/partners/) - [Success Stories](https://goldenvolunteer.com/success-stories/) - [App for Volunteers](https://goldenvolunteer.com/volunteers-app/) - [Contact Golden](mailto:support@goldenvolunteer.com) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Blog](https://goldenvolunteer.com/blog/) - [Ebooks](https://goldenvolunteer.com/ebooks/) - [Webinars](https://goldenvolunteer.com/webinars/) - [Partner Directory](https://goldenvolunteer.com/partners/) - [Success Stories](https://goldenvolunteer.com/success-stories/) - [App for Volunteers](https://goldenvolunteer.com/volunteers-app/) - [Contact Golden](mailto:support@goldenvolunteer.com) - English Show submenu for translations - [Support Request](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer Portal](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/customer) - [Create a Support Request](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/kb-tickets/new) [Create a Support Request](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Golden Help Center](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base?hsLang=en) 2. [Organizer Resources](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/organizer-resources?hsLang=en) 3. [Credentials](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/organizer-resources?hsLang=en#credentials) October 16, 2026 # Managing Participant Onboarding with Credentials Golden's Credentials feature makes participant onboarding smarter and more efficient by combining convenience with powerful tracking and vetting capabilities. Easily create, manage, and attach custom onboarding steps—like forms, interviews, and document uploads—to your participant opportunities. To learn how to use Credentials for onboarding new participants, track their progress, and manage participation requirements, view our article: [What are Credentials?](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/what-are-credentials?hsLang=en). ### **What Are Credentials?** Credentials help you screen and onboard participants by automating key processes. For example, an after-school mentoring program might require participants to submit an application, attend an interview, and provide reference checks. Golden's Credentials handle these steps seamlessly, saving you time and keeping everything organized from your dashboard. ### **Types of Credentials** Golden offers several credential types so you can customize onboarding steps to fit your organization's needs: - **Forms**: Build custom application forms to collect information about participants' skills, experience, or availability. - **Interview**: Notify participants that an interview is required. You can embed a Calendly link or provide contact details to help them schedule. - **Video**: Embed a brief orientation video to introduce participants to your organization or specific programs. - **Document Upload**\*: Collect PDF documents like resumes or certifications directly from participants. - **Offline Process**: Use this as a placeholder for processes like reference checks or in-person orientations. \*Note: All documents must be uploaded as PDFs. ### **Creating Credentials** Navigate to the **Credentials** tab in your organizer dashboard and select **Manage**. Then click **+Create New Credential** and enter the following details: - **Credential Name**: Give your credential a clear name (e.g., "Volunteer Application" or "Interview"). - **Description** (Optional): Explain why participants need to complete this credential. - **Expiration**: Set credentials to expire either on a fixed date or after a specific timeframe (e.g., 3 or 6 months from completion). - **Required Review**: Enable this if you need to manually review participant responses. - **Credential Type**: Choose from Form, Interview, Video, Document Upload, or Offline Process. (Form credentials let you create custom application questions.) - **Instructions**: Provide clear instructions for participants on how to complete the credential. Once created, you can edit, share, or delete credentials using the icons to the right of each credential entry. ### **Using Packages to Bundle Credentials** **What Are Packages?** Packages let you bundle multiple credentials into a single, organized onboarding process. This makes it easier for participants to follow the required steps and for you to track progress efficiently. For example, an "After School Mentor" package could include an application form, interview, and reference check. You can create different packages for distinct participant roles, like Mentor or Supervisor. **Creating a Package** Under **Manage Credentials**, toggle to the **Package** tab and click **+Create a Package**. Provide a clear title and brief description, then click **Create Package**. To add credentials to your package, click the edit icon next to your package name and select **+Add Credential**. Choose from your existing credentials and use the arrows to arrange them in the order participants must complete them—for instance, requiring an application form before scheduling an interview. ### **Three Methods to Manage Participant Onboarding** There are three ways you can use credentials to onboard new participants into your organization: #### **1. Invitations** Use Invitations to directly invite specific participants to complete a credential or package. Invitations aren't tied to a particular opportunity. However, once a participant completes the invited credential, they automatically become eligible for any opportunity requiring that credential or package. **Example:** A participant shows interest in your mentorship program at a volunteer fair. To start their onboarding, send an invitation directly from the **Status** section of your credentials dashboard. Simply select the relevant credential or package and click **Invite**. You can either choose existing participants or upload a spreadsheet containing their first name, last name, and email. #### **2. Gating an Existing Opportunity** Attach a credential or package to an opportunity to control who can see it and who can register, using Golden's Visibility and Accessibility settings. Visibility controls who can discover and view the opportunity (Public, Private, or Unlisted); Accessibility controls who can actually register for it (Open or Restricted). Both settings can be gated by Credentials, in addition to Participant Groups or Affiliations. To require a credential for registration: 1. Select an existing opportunity from the My Opportunities tab or create a new one. 2. In Section 1: About, set Accessibility to Restricted, then choose Credentials as a criterion and select your credential or package. (If Visibility is Public, everyone can still see the opportunity — only participants who hold the credential can sign up.) 3. To also hide the opportunity from anyone who hasn't earned the credential, set Visibility to Private and select the same credential — you can check "Same as selections above" under Accessibility so both settings stay in sync. **Note:** For the full breakdown of Visibility and Accessibility options and example combinations, see [Understanding Golden's Enhanced Privacy Controls](https://support.goldenvolunteer.com/knowledge_base/understanding-goldens-enhanced-privacy-controls?hsLang=en). #### **3. Sharing** Use Share Links to distribute credentials or packages broadly. Organizers can generate specific share links and embed them on their organization's website or social media channels. **Example:** If you have a standard participant application form, create a Form Credential containing your application questions. Then generate a share link for that credential and share it on your website, newsletters, or social media. Participants clicking the link will be guided directly to complete the required application. ### **Monitoring Participant Credential Status** Credential Status Review lets you efficiently track and monitor participants' onboarding progress. Using the **Status** section in the Credentials menu, you can easily view each participant's current stage, make decisions to approve participants, request updates, or reject applicants, and maintain clear communication throughout the onboarding process. **Statuses include:** - Started: Participant has initiated the credential process. - Review Required: Participant has submitted the credential and it's waiting for your review. - **Awaiting Participant**: Participant needs to act after receiving feedback. - **Complete**: Participant successfully completed the credential. - **Expired**: Credential is no longer valid; renewal needed. - **Declined**: Participant declined the credential or was rejected. - **Invited**: Participant has received a direct invitation but has not yet started. When reviewing a participant's credential status, you have three options: - **Approve**: Move the participant forward in the onboarding process. - **Request an Update**: Provide feedback or request more information from the participant. - **Reject**: Disqualify the participant from further participation. 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