What do the stars on a candidate's profile mean?

Applies to: ToolBelt desktop (app.toolbelt.work)

Every candidate on ToolBelt can display a yellow star on their profile with a number inside it. That number is a qualification count — it tells you how many of ToolBelt's tracked qualifications that candidate has on record.

The star is a verification signal, not a quality score. It is not a review rating, it is not set by ToolBelt staff, and it does not reflect workmanship, reliability, or customer feedback. A higher number simply means more of the candidate's licenses, insurance, and credentials are documented on their record.

Where you'll see the star

The star appears alongside a candidate anywhere you're reviewing talent on the desktop platform — in your applicant lists and on the individual candidate's profile.

To get to your candidates:

1. Go to app.toolbelt.work
2. Log in using your ToolBelt email and password
3. Click Applicant Recap on the right-hand side
4. Select a candidate to open their profile and view their qualification record

What counts toward the number

The number inside the star is the total of the candidate's qualifications that are either:

• Verified — the candidate provided documentation and our third-party AI verification partner validated it, or
• Presumptive — the qualification is credited based on the conditions for licensure in certain states

Anything else on the candidate's record does not add to the count. A low number is not a disqualifying signal — it often just means the candidate hasn't been asked for, or hasn't yet submitted, documentation for a credential they hold.

The qualifications ToolBelt tracks

ToolBelt tracks 21 qualifications across trade licensing, insurance, and general work readiness:

General work readiness

• Able to Pass a Background Check
• Has a Valid Driver's License
• Has Reliable Transportation

Insurance and bonding

• Bond
• General Liability Insurance
• Worker's Compensation Insurance

Licenses and certifications

• Business License
• Doors License
• Electrical License
• Fencing License
• Flooring License
• General Contractor's License
• Handyman License
• HVAC License
• Lead Certification
• Plumbing License
• Remodeling License
• Roofing License
• Siding License
• Solar License
• Windows License

Each qualification a candidate holds adds to the number inside their star.

How to use star ratings when working your pipeline

The star is meant to help you triage — to decide who to call first when you're looking at a long list of applicants. A few recommendations from our Customer Experience team:

• Sort your applied candidates by star count and work the highest first. Hot leads and matched candidates still come first overall; within your applied pool, star-rated candidates are the faster path to a hire.
• Read the record, not just the number. A roofer with three highly relevant qualifications may be a better fit for your job than someone with eight qualifications in unrelated trades. Open the profile and look at which qualifications are on record.
• Don't decline a candidate solely for a low star count. Many strong candidates simply haven't been asked for documentation yet. Move them to Outreach and ask.
• Confirm currency before you hire. The star tells you a qualification is on record; your own onboarding process should still confirm that licensing and insurance are current at the time of hire, per your company's requirements.

Common questions

Does a high star count mean ToolBelt endorses this candidate? No. ToolBelt does not rate candidate quality. The star reflects documentation on file, nothing more.

Can a candidate change their own star count? The count changes as qualifications are added to a candidate's record. Candidates add qualifications by providing the requested documentation, which is then run through our verification process.

A candidate told me they're licensed, but their star count doesn't show it. That usually means the qualification hasn't been documented and verified yet, so it isn't counted. Ask the candidate to submit the documentation, and note the conversation in the candidate's notes so your team has a record of it.

Why do two candidates with the same trade have different star counts? Qualification records are built over time, and not every candidate has been asked for every credential. Different counts usually reflect different amounts of documentation collected, not different skill levels.

Need help?

If a candidate's qualification record looks wrong, or you have questions about what's behind a specific qualification, reach out to your Account Manager or email support@toolbelt.com.