Credential- A socially affirmed and recognized proof of authority and expertise, which warrants certain privileges of an individual. This individual obtains knowledge and reputation through a process of rigorous training and studying.  

“P2P projects are characterized by equipotentiality or 'anti-credentialism.' This means that there is no a priori selection to participation. The capacity to cooperate is verified in the process of cooperation itself... These skills are verified, and communally validated, in the process of production itself... Reputation systems are used for communal validation...”

-Michel Bauwens

The Political Economy of Peer Production