Adding Professional Credentials and Licenses
Quick Answer
Add your professional licenses and credentials in your Profile's "Licenses" section by entering the license type, number, issuing state, and status. These are verified by Heritage Web against government databases and directly impact your lead matching. Keep licenses current - expired licenses will be marked publicly and excluded from lead matching.
Overview
Professional credentials and licenses build trust with potential clients and are required for lead matching in regulated professions. Heritage Web verifies all licenses against government databases during review and annually thereafter. Having valid, active licenses significantly increases your visibility and lead quality.
Adding Your Professional Licenses
Step 1: Navigate to the Licenses Section
Log into your dashboard
Open your Profile listing for editing
Scroll to the "Professional Licenses" section
Click "Add License" button
Step 2: Enter License Information
For each license, provide:
Field | What to Enter | Example |
License Type | Professional designation | Attorney, MD, CPA, Real Estate Broker |
License Number | Full license number | 12345678 |
Issuing State | State or jurisdiction | California, Texas, New York |
Issue Date | When first issued | 01/15/2010 |
Expiration Date | Current expiration | 12/31/2025 |
Status | Current status | Active |
Step 3: Add Multiple Licenses
If you're licensed in multiple states or hold multiple credentials:
Click "Add Another License"
Enter information for each license
No limit on number of licenses
All active licenses expand your reach
Step 4: Save and Submit
Click "Save" to store license information
When ready, click "Publish Draft" to submit for review
Heritage Web verifies during review process
License Verification Process
Initial Verification
During your listing review, Heritage Web:
Checks license numbers against state databases
Verifies active status
Confirms holder name matches your profile
Documents verification for records
Common databases checked:
State Bar associations (lawyers)
State Medical boards (doctors)
State CPA boards (accountants)
State Real Estate commissions (agents)
Federal registries (immigration attorneys)
Annual Re-Verification
Every year, Heritage Web:
Re-checks all licenses for active status
Updates expiration dates
Marks expired licenses publicly
Excludes expired licenses from lead matching
Notifies you of any issues
Important: Your listing stays published during annual review - no downtime.
Education and Certifications
Adding Educational Credentials
In the "Education" section, include:
Degrees:
Degree type (JD, MD, MBA, PhD)
School name
Graduation year
Honors or distinctions
Example entries:
JD, Harvard Law School, 2010
MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 2005
MBA, Rice University, 2015
BS Accounting, Purdue University, 2008
Adding Professional Certifications
Include relevant certifications that enhance credibility:
Examples by profession:
Legal: Board Certified in Immigration Law
Medical: Board Certified in Pediatrics
Financial: Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Real Estate: Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
Technology: AWS Certified Solutions Architect
Professional Associations
List memberships that build trust:
American Bar Association
American Medical Association
National Association of CPAs
Local professional chapters
Specialized practice groups
How Licenses Affect Lead Matching
The Six-Filter Matching System
Licenses are Filter #2 in the matching process:
Publication Filter - Same publication priority
License Filter - Must have valid license ← You are here
Specialty Filter - Practice area match
Language Filter - Language capabilities
Distance Filter - Geographic proximity
Experience Filter - Years in practice
License Requirements by Profession
Profession | License Requirement | Geographic Scope |
Lawyers | Active bar admission | State-specific (except Immigration, Bankruptcy) |
Doctors | Medical license | State-specific |
Therapists | Clinical license | State-specific |
CPAs | CPA license | State-specific |
Real Estate | Agent/Broker license | State-specific |
Financial Advisors | Series 7, 66, etc. | National |
Multi-State Licensing Benefits
Having licenses in multiple states:
Expands your lead matching radius
Increases referral opportunities
Allows virtual service delivery
Builds credibility
Shows commitment to practice
Managing License Status
Active License
✅ Full benefits:
Included in lead matching
No public warnings
Green indicator in dashboard
Full functionality
Expiring Soon (30-60 days)
⚠️ Warning status:
Yellow indicator in dashboard
Email reminders sent
Still matching for leads
Time to renew
Expired License
❌ Limited functionality:
Red indicator in dashboard
Marked publicly on listing
EXCLUDED from lead matching
Listing remains visible for SEO
Must update to restore matching
Invalid or Suspended License
🚫 Serious issue:
Immediate action required
Possible listing removal
Must resolve with Heritage Web
May need to provide documentation
Common Credential Issues and Solutions
Issue | Impact | Solution |
License number won't verify | Delays approval | Double-check number, include all digits |
License expired during review | Marked expired, no matching | Renew and update immediately |
Name doesn't match license | Verification fails | Use name exactly as on license |
Out-of-state license only | Limited local leads | Consider reciprocity or additional licensing |
Missing license number | Cannot verify | Obtain from licensing board |
Best Practices
Do's
✅ List ALL active licenses
✅ Keep expiration dates current
✅ Include license numbers exactly as issued
✅ Add licenses for all states you serve
✅ Update immediately upon renewal
✅ Include prestigious certifications
✅ List continuing education achievements
Don'ts
❌ Don't list expired licenses as active
❌ Don't estimate license numbers
❌ Don't include pending applications
❌ Don't use old license numbers
❌ Don't forget to update after renewal
❌ Don't list licenses you don't hold
Special Considerations by Profession
Legal Professionals
Bar admission is mandatory for attorney listings
Immigration and Bankruptcy lawyers can serve nationally
Include federal court admissions
List practice area certifications
Pro hac vice admissions don't count
Medical Professionals
DEA number not required (keep private)
Board certifications highly valued
Hospital affiliations build trust
Include NPI number if comfortable
Telemedicine licenses expand reach
Financial Professionals
Multiple licenses often required (Series 7, 66)
State insurance licenses for comprehensive service
CPA requires state licensure
Fiduciary status important to mention
Continuing education credits show commitment
Mental Health Professionals
Clinical license required for therapy services
Supervision status if applicable
Specialized training certifications
Include license type (LCSW, LMFT, PhD)
Telehealth authorizations valuable
Annual Review Process
What to Expect
Timeline:
Notification 30 days before review
Automatic verification check
Results within 48 hours
Action required if issues found
No Disruption:
Listing stays live during review
Lead matching continues if valid
No "Pending" status triggered
Seamless process
Maintaining Compliance
Your responsibilities:
Report license changes within 3 days
Update expiration dates proactively
Respond to verification requests
Provide documentation if requested
Maintain good standing
FAQs
What if I'm newly licensed? Add your license immediately after receiving it. Include the issue date and number for verification.
Can I list licenses I'm applying for? No, only list active, issued licenses. You can update once approved.
What if my license is from another country? Include foreign credentials in the Education section, but lead matching requires US licenses for most professions.
How often are licenses verified? Initially during approval, then annually, plus random audits.
Will expired licenses hurt my listing? They're marked publicly and excluded from matching, but your listing stays visible. Update immediately to restore full functionality.
Do all professions require licenses? No, but regulated professions (legal, medical, financial) require valid licenses for lead matching.
Next Steps
Review all your professional licenses
Ensure license numbers are accurate
Add any missing credentials
Set calendar reminders for renewal dates
Include relevant certifications and education
Update licenses before they expire