Final answer:
The correct answer is 'c. Certification'. This refers to the credential obtained by an individual after passing a certification examination and maintaining it through continuing education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The credential of an individual who has passed the certification examination and remains current through continuing education is commonly referred to as certification. Credentialism is a concept that involves the emphasis on certificates or degrees to demonstrate that an individual possesses specific skills, has achieved a certain level of education, or meets the job qualifications required for a professional role. These credentials are important because they serve as a symbol of what a person has achieved and allow for the labeling of that individual in a professional context.
An example of this in the field of medicine is when a physician becomes a board-certified cardiologist after passing an examination and may later be invited to become a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), based on outstanding credentials, achievements, and contributions to the field. Similarly, occupational licenses, usually issued by government agencies, signify that a worker has completed a specific type of education or passed a given test.