CertExpiryTracker

Handling a certificate with no printed expiry

Some credentials—particularly older cards, certain professional designations, or employer‑issued badges—do not carry an expiration date printed on the face. In these cases, the record can rely on alternative signals to note whether the card is still usable.

Strategies when no expiry is printed

  1. Check the issuing body’s published validity policy. Many organisations post standard renewal periods on their website.
  2. Look for a issue date and apply the known validity window (e.g., “OSHA 10 valid for 3 years from issue”).
  3. Contact the issuer or the employee’s supervisor for a written confirmation.
  4. Mark the record as No fixed expiry and set a review date in the tracker.

Recording the information

Create a column named Validity Basis. Enter one of the following values: - Issuer policy (if a published period exists) - Calculated from issue date - Supervisor confirmed - Indefinite (rare, e.g., some membership cards)

Worked example

Lena Fischer’s OSHA 10 card has no expiry printed, but the issue date reads 2022‑03‑15. The example applies an assumed OSHA 10 validity of 3 years, calculating an expiry of 2025‑03‑15; confirm the current period with the issuer before relying on it. The Validity Basis field is set to Calculated from issue date. The record can then be placed in the “next 60 days” bucket if today’s date is near that calculated expiry, or kept out of the way otherwise.

Reusable artifact

Sample entry for a no‑expiry card | Employee | Card Type | Issue Date | Expiry Date (calculated) | Validity Basis | |----------|-----------|------------|--------------------------|----------------| | Lena Fischer | OSHA 10 | 2022‑03‑15 | 2025‑03‑15 | Calculated from issue date |

This entry allows the record to treat the card like any other while flagging the assumption made.

Exception

If the issuing organisation explicitly states the credential is valid “until revoked” or “for life,” record the expiry field as N/A and set a Review Date at an interval your organization chooses as a prompt for periodic verification. Do not assume indefinite validity without documented confirmation.

Related: Cert Expiry Tracker features.