STEM.org Trustmarks™

Usage Guidelines

Clear rules for using STEM.org Trustmark seals, credential names and approved brand assets accurately, consistently and within the scope of recognition that was actually awarded.

Use recognition accurately

Trustmarks communicate a specific, verifiable relationship.

STEM.org brand assets are intended to help active credential holders communicate recognition without overstating what was evaluated. Every use should make it easy for a reasonable viewer to understand what was recognized, which trustmark applies, and whether that recognition is current.

Correct terminology

Use the trustmark that matches the awarded subject.

For products

STEM.org Authenticated™

Applies to approved products such as toys, games, kits, learning tools and other evaluated product offerings.

For people

STEM.org Certified™

Applies to educators, trainers, facilitators and other individuals who complete the applicable qualification pathway.

For programs

STEM.org Accredited™

Applies to eligible institutions, programs, schools, organizations and educational experiences within the awarded scope.

For content

STEM.org Reviewed™

Applies to eligible books, curricula, media and published educational content evaluated through the STEM.org Reviewed™ pathway.

For learners

STEM.org Endorsed™

Applies to learner achievement issued through eligible pathways and should not be used as a general organization or product label.

Top 5% distinction

Best In STEM™

Additional distinction for eligible STEM.org Authenticated™, STEM.org Accredited™ or STEM.org Reviewed™ evaluations scoring 95–100.

Have your STEM ID ready.

Asset access is checked against your STEM.org credential record. Best In STEM requires the separate award's STEM ID.

Download Assets

Core rules

Use the seal as evidence of recognition — not as a blanket claim.

Active status required

Use official STEM.org Trustmark seals and brand assets only while the associated credential is active and verified.

Stay within the awarded scope

A trustmark may be displayed only for the specific person, product, program, organization, content or learner-recognition scope that was awarded.

Do not imply broader approval

Recognition of one product, program, location, title or credential holder must not be presented as approval of an entire company, catalog, network, school system or unrelated offering unless that broader scope was explicitly awarded.

Use official assets

Use the current STEM.org-provided seal or brand asset. Do not redraw, distort, rotate, recolor, crop, combine with another mark, remove trademark indicators or create look-alike versions.

Keep verification possible

Where practical, pair digital seal use with the relevant credential record, STEM ID or verification pathway so third parties can check the claim.

Stop use when recognition ends

If a credential expires, is revoked, suspended or otherwise becomes inactive, remove the associated seal and discontinue claims that imply current STEM.org recognition.

Where the seal may appear

Use it where viewers can understand the scope.

Approved credential holders may generally display the applicable seal in communications that accurately refer to the awarded subject and remain consistent with any pathway-specific terms.

Websites & landing pages

Place the seal near the recognized product, program, organization, content or credential-holder information — not beside unrelated offerings.

Presentations & proposals

Use the trustmark to identify the awarded scope clearly and avoid language that expands recognition beyond what STEM.org actually evaluated.

Social media

Share recognition accurately and use the correct STEM.org trustmark name. Avoid captions suggesting blanket endorsement of unrelated products, services or locations.

Print & digital marketing

Brochures, signage, packaging and promotional materials may use the approved seal where the awarded subject is clear and the credential remains active.

Important distinction

STEM.org Accredited™ is not a student-certificate seal.

The STEM.org Accredited™ trustmark may be used by the awarded organization or program within its approved scope. It should not be placed on student certificates. Learner achievement is handled through the separate STEM.org Endorsed™ pathway where eligibility and issuance requirements are met.

Best In STEM™ usage

The Top 5% distinction accompanies the trustmark. It does not replace it.

Best In STEM™ is an additional award for eligible STEM.org Authenticated™, STEM.org Accredited™ or STEM.org Reviewed™ evaluations scoring 95–100. The applicable trustmark remains the primary recognition identifying what was evaluated.

Keep the underlying trustmark visible. Best In STEM™ must not be presented as a substitute for the applicable active trustmark.
Keep the scope identical. Use the award only for the exact product, program, organization or content named in the Best In STEM™ record.
Keep both records verifiable. Use the separate Best In STEM™ STEM ID for award artwork and retain the underlying credential's current status.

Avoid misrepresentation

Examples of uses to avoid.

Using a seal before the credential is awarded or after it is no longer active.

Applying one product’s STEM.org Authenticated™ recognition to an entire product line that was not evaluated.

Using STEM.org Accredited™ on a student certificate or implying that every learner automatically holds a STEM.org credential.

Changing seal colors, proportions, wording or artwork in a way that creates an unofficial version.

Describing STEM.org recognition as government licensure, state approval or institutional accreditation when that is not what was awarded.

Using a trustmark in a way that could reasonably imply endorsement of unrelated services, locations, brands or claims.

Verification matters

A seal should point back to a real credential relationship.

STEM.org recognition is strongest when a viewer can verify the underlying credential record. Keep your displayed trustmark aligned with the current credential holder, subject, STEM ID and status shown in the applicable verification system.

Verify a STEM.org credential

Questions

Need clarification before using a seal?

Do Master Trainers and STEM Fellows use the same trustmark?

Yes. Master Trainers and STEM Fellows use the same STEM.org Certified™ trustmark. The seal itself does not distinguish the two statuses. The holder's Master Trainer or STEM Fellow status can be found in their credential record in the verification portal. Enter the holder's STEM ID to check the designation, and use the exact credential title shown in that verified record when describing the qualification.

Can I resize a STEM.org seal?

Yes, provided the original proportions, legibility and artwork are preserved. Do not stretch, compress, crop or redraw the seal.

Can I place a trustmark beside our company logo?

Yes when the relationship is clear and the seal is being used for the awarded scope. Avoid layouts that could imply STEM.org ownership of, partnership with or approval of unrelated offerings.

Can I keep using the seal after expiration?

No. Current-use rights depend on an active credential. Historical references should be clearly dated and must not imply that recognition remains current.

Who should I contact if I am unsure?

Contact STEM.org at info@stem.org before publishing a use that could create ambiguity about the scope or status of recognition.

Use the mark with confidence

Keep the claim accurate, the scope clear and the credential verifiable.

Ask STEM.org