The password itself is not stored in AD in decryptable form. As I understand it what is stored is a hash of the password and the date/time when the password was set. When a user logging on enters the password that value and the date/time when the password was last set are used to re-calculate the stored hash. if this is the same as the stored hash, the assumption is that the user entered a valid password.
Full Definition of CREDENTIAL. 1. : something that gives a title to credit or confidence; also: qualification 3a. 2. plural: testimonials or certified documents showing that a person is entitled to credit or has a right to exercise official power.
Evaluate My Credentials; Credential Evaluation; What are credentials? Credentials often refer to academic or educational qualifications, such as degrees or diplomas that you have completed or partially-completed. Credentials can also refer to occupational qualifications, such as professional certificates or work experience. If you did your credentials outside of Canada, these are called international credentials or foreign credentials in Canada.