How BucketMastery credentials work — and why they're publicly verifiable

A BucketMastery credential certifies that a specific person has demonstrated a measurable level of mastery in one of the 12 aptitude buckets, in a specific sector context. Each credential has a **public ID** like `AG-TECH-A1B2C3`. Anyone can verify it at `/credentials/[id]` without logging in. The verification page shows the holder's name, the bucket, the sector context, the mastery level (0–100), and the issue and expiration dates. If a credential is revoked, the verification page says so. The level is earned, not awarded. Two paths feed it: 1. **Assessment scoring.** Scenario-driven tasks scored for both correctness and integrity (we measure how the answer was produced, not just what the answer was). Each assessment updates the bucket score directly. 2. **Course completion.** Finishing a course in a sector lifts the corresponding bucket level. Capstone projects count for more than module quizzes. Credentials are not "we taught you" — they are "we measured you." That distinction is what makes them load-bearing for an employer hiring decision.