LearnDash Facial Recognition: New Features for Secure Certificates and Quizzes

We’re excited to announce the latest update to the LearnDash facial recognition add-on. The new update introduces new controls for learner identity verification during quizzes and certificate downloads. Administrators can now configure verification requirements at the global, course, and quiz levels, choose different quiz verification modes, and review certificate verification activity through audit logs. 

The update also adds live webcam confirmation, pre-start quiz verification, and additional security checks to prevent unauthorized certificate downloads.   

Here’s what has changed in the add-on.   

1. Course-Level and Quiz-Level Facial Verification for Certificates

The LearnDash Facial Recognition add-on has now included dedicated settings at both the course and quiz levels to require biometric facial verification before certificates are issued.

Administrators can configure facial verification requirements for individual courses and quizzes, providing greater control over when learners must confirm their identities.

With these new settings, you can:

• Course-Level Verification: Require learners to complete facial verification before receiving certificates associated with specific courses.

• Quiz-Level Verification: Enable facial verification for individual quizzes before learners can access their certificates.

• Flexible Configuration: Apply certificate verification requirements based on the needs of different courses and quizzes.

These settings help ensure certificates are issued only after the required identity verification has been completed.

2. Global Certificate Verification Settings

A new set of global settings allows administrators to manage certificate verification requirements across their LearnDash platform.

Administrators can control whether facial verification is enforced for certificate downloads and choose how frequently learners must verify their identities.

Two verification frequency options are available:

• One-Time Unlock: Learners complete facial verification once to unlock certificate access without repeating verification for subsequent downloads.
• Every Download: Learners must complete facial verification each time they attempt to download a certificate.

These options allow administrators to choose between convenient certificate access and stricter identity verification requirements.

3. Improved Protection Against Unauthorized Certificate Downloads

The latest update introduces server-side security checks and frontend certificate locks to prevent learners from downloading certificates without completing the required facial verification.

The new protection works at two levels:

• Server-Side Guards: Validate verification requirements before allowing certificate downloads, helping prevent unauthorized access.
• Frontend Lock Triggers: Restrict certificate download actions when the required identity verification has not been completed.

Together, these measures help ensure that certificate verification requirements are enforced throughout the download process.

4. Interactive Certificate Verification Modal with Live Webcam Confirmation

Learners can now complete facial verification through an interactive modal before downloading their certificates.

When verification is required, the certificate verification modal appears and guides learners through the live webcam confirmation process.

The process includes:

• Verification Prompt: Learners are asked to confirm their identity before accessing the certificate.
• Live Webcam Confirmation: The modal uses the learner’s webcam to perform facial verification.
• Certificate Access: Once verification is successfully completed, learners can proceed with the certificate download.

This provides a clear verification process directly within the certificate download workflow.

5. New Quiz Verification Modes and Configurable Grace Period

LearnDash Facial Recognition now supports multiple quiz verification modes, giving administrators more control over how facial verification is applied during quizzes.

The available modes include:

• Pre-Start Gating: Requires learners to complete facial verification before starting a quiz.
• Continuous Proctoring: Applies facial verification monitoring during the quiz session.
• Strict: Provides a stricter verification mode for quizzes requiring tighter identity checks.
• Inherit: Uses the configured global default quiz verification mode instead of a separate quiz-specific setting.

Administrators can also configure a grace period to control the allowed time window associated with quiz verification requirements.

These options make it easier to apply different levels of identity verification based on individual quiz requirements.

6. New Quiz Pre-Start Verification Gate

A new pre-start verification gate card ensures learners complete facial verification before starting a quiz when required.

When pre-start verification is enabled, learners will see a verification card before accessing the quiz. The quiz start button remains locked until learners successfully complete facial verification. This ensures learners cannot begin a protected quiz without first confirming their identity.

7. Global Default Quiz Verification Mode and Grace Period

Administrators can now configure default quiz verification settings globally, reducing the need to configure the same requirements for individual quizzes.

The new global settings include:

• Default Quiz Verification Mode: Select the verification mode to be used by quizzes that inherit the global configuration.
• Default Grace Period: Define the default grace period associated with quiz verification.

Individual quizzes can use these defaults through the Inherit option or have their own verification mode configured.

This gives administrators a consistent starting point while maintaining flexibility for individual quizzes.

8. Certificate Verification Audit Logs

The Facial Recognition Logs tab now includes certificate verification audit logging, making it easier for administrators to review verification activity related to certificate access.

The updated logging interface includes:

• Certificate Verification Records: Track certificate-related facial verification activity.
• Styled Status Badges: Display verification information using visually distinct badges for easier identification.
• Taxonomy Label Mapping: Present relevant taxonomy information with readable labels to improve log clarity.

These improvements help administrators review certificate verification records and understand verification activity more easily.

9. LearnDash LD30 Alerts and Certificate Template Protection

The update also introduces compatibility improvements for LearnDash LD30 through alert banner and certificate template filter integrations.

These additions help prevent learners from accessing certificate downloads before completing the required facial verification.

The improvements include:

• LearnDash LD30 Alert Banner: Displays verification-related alerts within the LearnDash LD30 interface.
• Certificate Template Filters: Apply verification checks within certificate templates to restrict downloads when identity verification requirements have not been satisfied.

These protections help maintain consistent certificate verification enforcement across supported LearnDash certificate interfaces.

Strengthen Learner Verification with LearnDash Facial Recognition

The latest LearnDash Facial Recognition add-on update adds more control over learner identity verification during quizzes and certificate downloads. Administrators can manage verification settings at different levels, choose quiz verification modes, require webcam confirmation, and review certificate activity through audit logs.

These changes give LearnDash administrators more options to manage learner verification based on their course and assessment requirements.

Get the LearnDash Facial Recognition add-on now to use the latest features. Have questions about setting up the add-on or configuring its new features? Contact our team, and we’ll help you with the setup.  

FAQs   

Can administrators set different certificate verification requirements for individual courses and quizzes?

Yes. Administrators can enable facial verification for specific courses and quizzes. This makes it possible to require identity checks for selected courses or assessments without applying the same settings to every course on the website.

How does the new webcam verification process protect certificate downloads?

When facial verification is required, learners must verify their identity using their webcam before downloading a certificate. The add-on also checks verification on both the frontend and server side to prevent downloads without successful verification.

Can learners start a quiz without completing pre-start facial verification?

No. When Pre-Start Gating is enabled, learners must complete facial verification before starting the quiz. The start button stays locked until they pass the verification check.

Can administrators set a default quiz verification mode and grace period for all quizzes?

Yes. Administrators can select a default verification mode and grace period in the global settings. Quizzes set to Inherit will use these defaults, while administrators can choose different settings for individual quizzes.

Do the new certificate verification checks work with LearnDash LD30 templates?

Yes. The update includes support for LearnDash LD30 alert banners and certificate template filters. Learners see verification alerts when needed, and certificate downloads remain restricted until the required facial verification is complete.