> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.learncard.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.learncard.com/core-concepts/credentials-and-data/credential-status-and-bitstring-status-lists.md).

# Credential Status & Bitstring Status Lists

Credential status lets an issuer say whether a signed credential is still usable without changing the credential itself. LearnCard Network uses [W3C Bitstring Status List](https://www.w3.org/TR/vc-bitstring-status-list/) for VC 2.0 credentials issued through the network.

The credential keeps a `credentialStatus` entry. That entry points to a public, signed status list credential. Verifiers fetch the list, decode the compressed bitstring, and check the credential's assigned `statusListIndex`.

## How Status Works

```mermaid
sequenceDiagram
    participant Issuer
    participant Brain as LearnCard Network
    participant Holder
    participant Verifier

    Issuer->>Brain: Issue credential
    Brain->>Brain: Allocate statusListIndex
    Brain-->>Issuer: credentialStatus entry
    Issuer-->>Holder: Signed credential
    Holder->>Verifier: Present credential
    Verifier->>Brain: GET /status-lists/:id
    Brain-->>Verifier: Signed status list credential
    Verifier->>Verifier: Decode bitstring and check index
```

For each credential, the network allocates a status list index from an issuer-owned list. The list is scoped by:

* The issuer profile
* The status purpose
* The configured list size

The default list size is `131,072` bits. When a list fills up, the network closes it and creates a new list automatically. New credentials receive entries that point at the new list URL.

## Status Purposes

LearnCard Network supports two status purposes:

| Purpose      | Meaning when the bit is clear       | Meaning when the bit is set     |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| `revocation` | The credential has not been revoked | The credential has been revoked |
| `suspension` | The credential is not suspended     | The credential is suspended     |

A credential can include either purpose or both:

```json
{
    "credentialStatus": [
        {
            "type": "BitstringStatusListEntry",
            "statusPurpose": "revocation",
            "statusListIndex": "42",
            "statusListCredential": "https://network.learncard.com/status-lists/..."
        },
        {
            "type": "BitstringStatusListEntry",
            "statusPurpose": "suspension",
            "statusListIndex": "87",
            "statusListCredential": "https://network.learncard.com/status-lists/..."
        }
    ]
}
```

Revocation and suspension are independent. Suspending a credential does not revoke it. Unsuspending a credential clears only the suspension bit.

## Pending Credentials

Status belongs to the issued credential, not only to the accepted credential record. This matters because an issuer can revoke or suspend a credential before the recipient accepts it.

If a pending credential is revoked or suspended, the network updates the status list and the recipient cannot accept that credential as active.

## Public Status Lists

Status list credentials are available from stable public URLs:

```http
GET /status-lists/:id
```

The response is a signed verifiable credential. Its `credentialSubject.encodedList` value contains the compressed bitstring, encoded according to the W3C Bitstring Status List format.

Public status lists do not include recipient identities or credential contents. A verifier needs the credential's `credentialStatus` entry to know which index to check.

## Verification Results

Verification checks each `credentialStatus` entry and returns status results alongside proof, expiration, and other checks.

For user-facing output, LearnCard formats status results with friendly labels, such as:

* `Status: Active`
* `Status: Not Revoked`
* `Status: Revoked`
* `Status: Suspended`
* `Status: Not Suspended`

For API usage, see [Bitstring Status Lists](/sdks/learncard-network/bitstring-status-lists.md).


---

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