=== Academic Certificate Verification - Online Student Credential & Degree Validator Plugin ===
Contributors: riko910
Tags: certificate, verification, validate, certificate verification, certificate validation
Requires at least: 6.5
Tested up to: 7.0
Requires PHP: 7.2
Stable tag: 1.2.1
License: GPL v2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Verify academic certificates, diplomas, degrees, & training credentials using unique IDs, QR codes, PDF export, shortcodes & custom URLs.

== Description ==

**Academic Certificate Verification** is the ultimate WordPress plugin for verifying, validating, managing, and issuing academic certificates, university degrees, diplomas, course completion badges, and training credentials.

Whether you run an educational institution, university, college, school, online academy, LMS platform (LearnDash, Tutor LMS, LifterLMS, WooCommerce Academy), training center, corporate HR portal, or certification body, this plugin gives you a complete **Certificate Verification System** out of the box.

Prevent document fraud and build instant trust by enabling employers, students, and third parties to authenticate certificate validity in seconds using **Unique Certificate IDs, Verification Codes, QR Codes, Barcodes, PDF Downloads, and Direct Clean Verification URLs**.

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### 🌟 Why Choose Academic Certificate Verification?

* **Instant Online Verification:** Enable visitors to search and verify student certificates using a clean shortcode verification form or direct link.
* **Tamper-Proof Credential Security:** Unique ID, secure verification code, and customizable status tracking (Active, Expired, Revoked, Inactive).
* **SEO-Friendly Custom Verification URLs:** Clean permalinks like `yourdomain.com/verify-certificate/{certificate-id}/{certificate-code}/`.
* **Built-in Certificate Maker & Designer:** Easily generate custom styled certificates with student names, course names, issue dates, expiry dates, signatures, and logos.
* **Bulk Import & Export (CSV):** Seamlessly import thousands of certificate records from CSV spreadsheets and export data whenever needed.
* **Custom Fields & Metadata:** Add unlimited custom fields such as Student Roll Number, Registration ID, GPA/Grade, Award Category, Institution Name, and Issuing Authority.
* **Course & Batch Management:** Categorize certificates by specific courses, academic departments, graduation years, or training batches.
* **Instant PDF Certificate Download:** Allow students and verifiers to download print-ready PDF certificates with a single click.
* **QR Code & Barcode Verification:** Scan QR codes on printed certificates using any smartphone camera to verify authenticity immediately.
* **Social Media Certificate Sharing:** One-click certificate sharing to LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, or direct URL copy for student portfolio showcase.

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### 🚀 All Shortcodes Included

Seamlessly embed certificate verification tools into any page, post, widget, or page builder (Elementor, Gutenberg, Divi, Beaver Builder):

* **`[acceve_certificate_verification]`** - Displays the interactive Frontend Certificate Verification Search Form. Users enter their Certificate ID and Code to check authenticity.
* **`[acceve_certificate_display]`** - Displays the complete Verified Certificate details dynamically on your verification page (`/verify-certificate/`).
* **`[acceve_certificate_filter]`** *(Pro Feature)* - Displays an advanced public Certificate Directory & Search Filter Table with multi-criteria search.

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### 🎯 Key Use Cases

1. **Universities & Higher Education:** Verify student degrees, academic transcripts, diplomas, and graduation honors.
2. **Online Academies & LMS Platforms:** Validate course completion certificates for E-Learning platforms, Udemy-style sites, and membership platforms.
3. **Professional Certification Bodies:** Issue and authenticate professional accreditations, IT certificates, and ISO compliance certifications.
4. **Corporate HR & Employee Training:** Verify workplace safety certificates, employee skill badges, and corporate training programs.
5. **Event Organizers & Workshops:** Issue participant certificates for webinars, conferences, hackathons, and workshops.

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== Installation ==

#### Option 1: Via WordPress Admin Dashboard (Recommended)
1. Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
2. Navigate to **Plugins → Add New**.
3. Search for **Academic Certificate Verification**.
4. Click **Install Now**, then click **Activate**.

#### Option 2: Manual Upload via Dashboard
1. Download the plugin `.zip` file.
2. Go to **Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin**.
3. Choose the `.zip` file and click **Install Now**.
4. Click **Activate Plugin**.

#### ⚡ Essential Setup Step: Configure Permalinks
For custom verification URLs to work properly:
1. Go to **Settings → Permalinks** in your WordPress Admin.
2. Select **Post name** (`/%postname%/`).
3. Click **Save Changes**.

#### 📄 Displaying the Verification Page
Upon activation, the plugin automatically creates a page named **Verify Certificate** containing the `[acceve_certificate_display]` shortcode. You can also place `[acceve_certificate_verification]` on your Homepage, Contact Page, or any custom verification landing page.

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== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= How does the Certificate Verification form work? =
Visitors enter the Certificate ID and optional Verification Code into the form generated by `[acceve_certificate_verification]`. The plugin queries your database and displays the authentic certificate credentials, student details, and verification status.

= Can verifiers scan QR codes to verify certificates? =
Yes! In the Pro version, every generated certificate includes an embedded QR code and barcode. Scanning the QR code with any mobile device opens the direct verification page immediately.

= How do I import certificates in bulk? =
Using the **Import** feature in the Pro version, you can upload a CSV spreadsheet containing hundreds or thousands of student records, certificate IDs, student names, course names, issue dates, and custom fields.

= Can users download certificates as PDF files? =
Yes, the Pro version includes built-in PDF rendering using FPDF. Students and verifiers can click the **Download PDF** button on the frontend verification page or admin panel to get a high-resolution PDF certificate.

= Is it compatible with LMS plugins like LearnDash or Tutor LMS? =
Yes! Academic Certificate Verification works standalone or alongside popular LMS plugins, membership systems, and page builders. You can add certificates for any course or batch regardless of your LMS setup.

= Can I add custom metadata fields like Roll Number or GPA? =
Absolutely. Under **Certificates → Custom Fields**, you can define custom attributes (e.g., Roll No, Registration No, Grade, Award Title) and display them on certificate templates.

= Can I customize the date format displayed on certificates? =
Yes. You can select your preferred date format (e.g., `Y-m-d`, `d/m/Y`, `F j, Y`) directly from **Certificates → Settings**.

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== Screenshots ==

1. **Frontend Verification Form:** Simple and clean search form for visitors (`[acceve_certificate_verification]`).
2. **Verified Certificate Display:** Detailed authentic certificate page showing student credentials, course, and verification status.
3. **PDF Export & Download:** Instant print-ready PDF certificate generation (Pro).
4. **QR Code & Barcode Verification:** Scan mobile QR codes for instant certificate validation.
5. **Admin Certificates Dashboard:** Easily search, filter, edit, delete, or bulk-manage certificates.
6. **Certificate Maker & Designer:** Customize certificate layout, typography, signatures, and institute logos.
7. **Bulk CSV Import/Export:** Import thousands of student certificates in bulk via CSV files (Pro).
8. **Course & Batch Management:** Group certificates logically by course titles and academic session batches.
9. **Custom Fields Builder:** Add custom student data attributes (Roll No, GPA, Registration ID).
10. **Public Certificate Filter & Search Table:** Allow public directory searching (`[acceve_certificate_filter]`).

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== Changelog ==

= 1.2.1 (August 09, 2026) =
* **Fix:** Fixed admin table certificate search and pagination.
* **Fix:** Resolved certificate data CSV import parsing issue.
* **New:** Added customizable Date Format setting in Certificate Settings menu.

= 1.0.10 (August 04, 2026) =
* **Update:** Database query optimization and index improvements for `acceve_certificate_verification` table.

= 1.0.9 (July 31, 2026) =
* **Fix:** Resolved certificate ID prefix auto-generation saving issue.
* **Fix:** Corrected CSS layout alignment on custom certificate template render.
* **Fix:** Fixed backend certificate update saving handler.

= 1.0.8 (July 29, 2026) =
* **New:** QR Code & Barcode generation support for printed certificate verification.
* **New:** Multi-format modern certificate template styling engine.

= 1.0.7 (June 13, 2026) =
* **New:** Attached instant PDF Download button on Admin dashboard certificates table.
* **New:** Added PDF Download action button on frontend certificate verification result page.

= 1.0.6 (May 03, 2026) =
* **New:** Social media certificate sharing bar (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp).
* **New:** Multi-template selection per course and batch assignment.

= 1.0.5 (April 19, 2026) =
* **Update:** Redesigned Admin Settings user interface for faster configuration.

= 1.0.4 (March 29, 2026) =
* **New:** Pro features integration badge and feature toggles.

= 1.0.3 (March 11, 2026) =
* **Update:** Enhanced AJAX verification responses for faster frontend search performance.

= 1.0.2 (January 28, 2026) =
* **Update:** Security hardening on nonces, sanitization, and database query escaping.
* **Fix:** Fixed expiry date saving logic from backend admin form.

= 1.0.1 (January 15, 2026) =
* **New:** Added `[acceve_certificate_filter]` shortcode for certificate searching.
* **New:** Course Management module.
* **New:** Batch Management module.
* **New:** PDF Certificate rendering engine.
* **New:** Visual Certificate Maker builder.

= 1.0.0 (January 07, 2026) =
* Initial public release with core verification shortcodes, custom permalinks, and CSV export.

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== Upgrade Notice ==

= 1.2.1 =
Recommended update: Fixes search, CSV import parsing, and adds customizable date format options.

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== Roadmap ==

* Advanced drag-and-drop live certificate builder with canvas preview.
* Automated email delivery of verified certificates to students upon creation.
* Multi-language translation support (WPML & Polylang integration).
* WooCommerce & LMS automatic certificate issuance hooks.

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== Additional Information ==

* **Website & Documentation:** [https://tarikul.top](https://tarikul.top)
* **Technical Support:** [hello@tarikul.top](mailto:hello@tarikul.top)
* **Developed By:** Syed Tarikul Islam (QueueCommerce)
* **License:** GNU General Public License v2 or later
