Founding certification is free for a limited time.
THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS
A personal, transparent approach to certification.
Every applicant completes an application, signs the Human Authorship Declaration and Certification Agreement, and participates in a brief 10 to 15 minute interview before a certification decision is made.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A straightforward process with clear expectations.
Certification is designed to be accessible to working artists and makers while still providing a meaningful, consistent review.
No Cost to Apply
LIMITED TIME
Brief Interview
Every applicant completes a short 10 to 15 minute conversation with our team.
Published Standard
Applications are reviewed against the same published requirements for human creative authorship.
One-Year Certification
Approved certification remains active for the term shown in the public registry and must be renewed.
BEFORE YOU APPLY
You do not need a formal artist statement.
We want to understand what you make, how you make it, and the role you personally play in the creative process. Clear, truthful answers matter more than polished language.
01
Your Work
Be ready to share examples of the work you create and identify the creative discipline or categories that best describe your practice.
02
Your Process
Describe how ideas begin, the materials and tools you use, and the decisions that shape the finished work.
03
Your Disclosures
Accurately disclose relevant AI use, automation, collaborators, assistants, outside services and production methods.
HOW CERTIFICATION WORKS
Six clear steps from application to certification.
Each stage has a defined purpose, from explaining your process to receiving a decision and maintaining active certification.
01
Apply
Complete the application truthfully and describe your work, materials, tools, creative process and working practices.
02
Declare
Sign the Human Authorship Declaration and Certification Agreement included at the end of the application.
03
Interview
Meet with our team for a brief 10 to 15 minute conversation about your work, process and authorship.
04
Review
We compare the application, declaration and interview with the published standard. Reasonable supporting information may be requested.
05
Decision
You receive an approval, conditional approval, request for additional information or decline decision.
06
Publish & Maintain
Approved creators receive certification materials and a public registry listing, then maintain compliance throughout the certification term.
THE INTERVIEW & REVIEW
A conversation, not a test.
The purpose of the interview is to let you explain your creative process in your own words and give the reviewer enough context to evaluate the application fairly.
The conversation is brief, practical and centered on the work you actually make. You do not need to prepare a presentation or use specialized language.
WHAT THE REVIEW COVERS
Relevant questions and proportionate supporting information.
The review is tailored to the practice you describe. Any request for additional information should connect directly to the certification claim.
What We Will Ask About
What you make and how ideas begin. The materials, tools and methods you use. The creative decisions that determine the work’s final form. Your role in production and the role of collaborators or outside services. Any AI, automation or digital tools relevant to the creative process.
What We May Ask to See
Depending on the practice described, supporting information may include sketches, source photographs, notes, patterns, prototypes, progress images, raw materials, design files, version histories, tools, workspaces or production records. Any request should be reasonable, relevant and proportionate to the certification claim. Private application evidence is not published unless separately authorized.
CERTIFICATION DECISIONS
Every applicant receives a clear outcome.
The final decision explains whether the application meets the standard and identifies any limitation, missing information or reason certification cannot be granted.
Approved
The application demonstrates compliance with the standard for the approved identity and creative practice.
Conditional Approval
Certification is granted with a stated limitation, disclosure, corrective action or category restriction.
More Information Needed
A decision is paused until identified evidence or clarification is provided and reviewed.
Declined
The application did not demonstrate compliance or the submitted information was materially incomplete, inconsistent or unreliable.
AFTER APPROVAL
Certification becomes visible and verifiable.
Approved creators receive the materials and public record needed to communicate current certification clearly.
Digital Certificate
Approved creators receive a certification record showing the certified identity, effective date, expiration date and certification number.
Public Registry Profile
Current certification status is published in the Maker Verified directory so buyers, galleries and platforms can confirm it.
Approved Mark Files
Certified creators receive approved Maker Verified mark files and usage guidance for authorized websites, profiles and marketing materials.
ONGOING COMPLIANCE
Certification is active, not permanent.
Certification remains valid only while the creator continues to comply with the published standard and uses the Mark within the approved scope.
Unless otherwise stated in the registry, certification is issued for twelve months. Renewal may require updated information, a new declaration, another interview or additional supporting evidence.
01
Continue to Meet the Standard
Maintain the creative practices and truthful representation on which certification was based.
02
Report Material Changes
Notify Maker Verified if your creative process materially changes during the certification term.
03
Use the Mark Within Scope
Use certification materials only in connection with the approved identity and creative process.
04
Stop Use When Inactive
Stop using certification materials if certification expires, is suspended or is revoked.
05
Renew Before Expiration
Complete the renewal process before the current certification term ends.
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Understanding the certification process.
Find clear answers about application costs, the required interview, supporting evidence, certification decisions and annual renewal.
Is there a cost to submit an application?
No. There is no application fee to submit a Maker Verified application. Any future certification or renewal fee will be disclosed before you are asked to proceed.
Is the interview required?
Yes. Every applicant completes a brief 10 to 15 minute interview. The conversation allows you to explain your work and creative process in your own words.
Do I need to submit supporting evidence?
Evidence is not identical for every applicant. Maker Verified may request reasonable information connected to the process you describe, such as sketches, progress photographs, notes, patterns, design files, tools, materials or workspace images.
Does submitting an application guarantee approval?
No. A certification decision is based on the published standard, the completed application, signed documents, interview responses and any reasonably requested supporting information.
How long does certification remain active?
Unless the public registry states otherwise, certification is active for twelve months. It must be renewed and remains subject to continued compliance with the Maker Verified Standard.
READY TO BEGIN?
Tell us how you create.
There is no cost to submit an application. Begin with a straightforward description of your work and creative process.