How to List Certifications on a Resume (With Examples)

Listing certifications incorrectly can make even the most qualified candidate look unprofessional or disorganized. A properly formatted certifications section proves your expertise and instantly captures recruiter attention, while a messy one gets overlooked. The difference isn't in the certification itself, but in how you present it.

Our AI Resume Builder automatically formats your certifications with the correct structure, order, and emphasis that ATS systems and recruiters expect. It turns your hard-earned credentials into compelling evidence of your qualifications, helping candidates with certified skills get 2.4x more interview callbacks.

Where to Put Certifications on a Resume

Location matters. Placing certifications in the wrong section reduces their impact and can confuse ATS scanners. Follow this strategic placement guide based on your career level and the certification's relevance.

For Most Professionals: Dedicated "Certifications" Section

• Ideal Placement: After "Education" and before "Work Experience"
• Best For: 2+ relevant professional certifications
• Why It Works: Creates a clear, scannable block of credentials
• Example Structure:
  1. Contact Information
  2. Professional Summary
  3. Work Experience
  4. Certifications ← PLACE HERE
  5. Skills
  6. Education

For Recent Graduds/Entry-Level: Within Education Section

• Ideal Placement: Listed under relevant degree or in a subsection
• Best For: Academic certifications, single relevant credential, limited experience
• Why It Works: Strengthens educational qualifications when experience is light
• Format Example:
  Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  University Name, City, State | Graduation Date
  Relevant Certification: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

For Single Critical Certification: Next to Your Name/Header

• Ideal Placement: Beside your name or in the header subtitle
• Best For: Industry-essential licenses (PE, CPA, RN, PMP)
• Why It Works: Instantly signals qualification for role-specific requirements
• Format Example:
  Jane Smith, PMP
  Project Manager | Specializing in Agile Transformations

How to Format Certifications on a Resume

Consistent, professional formatting makes your certifications credible and easy to scan. Follow this detailed format for each certification you list.

The Complete Certification Format

Certification Name | Issuing Organization | Date Earned | Expiration Date (if applicable) | Credential ID (optional)

Detailed Breakdown with Examples

1. Current Certification (No Expiration)

Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute | October 2023 | Credential ID: 1234567

2. Certification with Expiration

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) | Google | March 2024 | Expires: March 2025

3. In-Progress Certification

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | (ISC)² | Expected Completion: August 2024

4. Academic/Specialized Certification

Data Science Specialization Certificate | Coursera (Johns Hopkins University) | June 2023

Formatting Rules to Follow

• Bold the Certification Name: Makes it immediately visible
• Use Pipe Separators (|): Clean, professional, ATS-friendly
• Include Dates: Shows recency and relevance
• Spell Out Acronyms: First mention: "PMP (Project Management Professional)"
• Order Chronologically: Most recent first (reverse chronological)
• Be Consistent: Same format for all certifications in section

Certifications Section Examples

See how certifications look in context with these real-world examples for different professions.

IT Professional Example

Project Manager Example

Healthcare Professional Example

When to Include Certifications

Not all certifications belong on every resume. Strategic inclusion is key to maintaining resume focus and relevance.

Definitely Include These:

• Job-Required Certifications: PMP for project managers, PE for engineers, CPA for accountants
• Industry-Standard Credentials: Certifications everyone in your field has or respects
• Recently Earned Certifications: Shows commitment to ongoing professional development
• Hard-to-Earn Certifications: Credentials with rigorous requirements or low pass rates
• Relevant Technical Certifications: Technology-specific credentials for IT/tech roles

Consider Omitting These:

• Expired Certifications: Unless currently in renewal process
• Irrelevant Certifications: First aid certification for software engineering role
• Beginner/Introductory Certifications: When you have advanced ones in same area
• Very Old Certifications: Especially in fast-changing fields like technology
• Controversial Certifications: From organizations with poor industry reputation

The Relevance Test

For each certification, ask: "Does this credential directly support my qualification for the specific job I'm applying for?" If the answer isn't a clear yes, consider omitting it or moving it to your LinkedIn profile instead.

How to List Online Certifications

Online certifications from Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and other platforms require special handling to maximize their credibility.

Best Practices for Online Certifications

• Include the Platform AND Provider: "Coursera (Google)" not just "Coursera"
• Specify if University-Affiliated: "edX (Harvard University)" adds weight
• Mention if Professional: "LinkedIn Learning (PMI approved)" for relevancy
• Include Completion Hours: "120-hour Machine Learning Specialization" shows depth
• Group Similar Certifications: Create "Online Professional Development" subsection

Formatting Examples

Digital Marketing Specialization (32 hours) | Coursera (University of Illinois) | April 2024
Python for Data Science and Machine Learning | Udemy (Jose Portilla) | February 2024 | 22 hours
Agile Project Management | LinkedIn Learning (PMI Registered Education Provider) | January 2024

When Online Certifications Shine

• Career Changers: Demonstrates commitment to new field
• Recent Graduates: Supplements academic education with practical skills
• Technology Professionals: Shows current, hands-on skills with specific tools
• Continuous Learners: Proactive approach to skill development

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These certification errors can undermine your credibility and confuse recruiters.

Listing Expired Certifications Without Context

Wrong: "CPR Certified (2018)"
Right: "CPR Certified (2018, renewal in progress)" or omit entirely

Using Inconsistent Formatting

Wrong: Mixing formats within same section
Right: Consistent formatting for all certifications

Over-Abbreviating

Wrong: "PMP, CSM, ACP, ITIL"
Right: "Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)"

Including Too Many Irrelevant Certifications

Wrong: 15 certifications with only 3 relevant to job
Right: 5 highly relevant certifications with optional "Additional Certifications" section on LinkedIn

Forgetting to Verify Current Status

Wrong: Listing certification that lapsed last year
Right: Regular verification and updating of all listed credentials

FAQ: Certifications on Resume

Should I list certifications in progress?

Answer: Yes, if completion is within 3-6 months and it's highly relevant. Format as "Expected Completion: [Month Year]".

How many certifications should I list?

Answer: 3-5 most relevant certifications on your resume. You can list additional ones on LinkedIn if space is limited.

Do I need to include expiration dates?

Answer: Yes, for time-limited certifications. It shows you're aware of requirements and maintains honesty.

Should I include certification ID numbers?

Answer: Optional but recommended for verifiable professional certifications (PMP, Cisco, AWS). Not needed for completion certificates.

What if my certification is from a non-English speaking country?

Answer: Include the original name and provide English translation in parentheses. Mention if it's internationally recognized.

Can I list free online course certificates?

Answer: Yes, if they're from reputable platforms (Coursera, edX) and relevant. Format them consistently with other certifications.

Final Checklist: Certification Listing

1. Relevance Checked: Only certifications supporting target job included
2. Dedicated Section: Clear "Certifications" heading in optimal location
3. Complete Format: Name | Organization | Date | Expiration (if any) | ID (optional)
4. Acronyms Explained: Full name provided before acronym at least once
5. Chronological Order: Most recent certification listed first
6. Current Status: No expired certifications without explanation
7. Online Certs Properly Formatted: Platform and provider both mentioned
8. Consistent Style: Same formatting for all certifications in section
9. Verifiable: ID numbers included for key professional certifications
10. Supplemental Info: Additional certifications on LinkedIn if needed

Published on: [Current Date] | Covers: certifications on resume, formatting examples, ATS optimization, online certifications | Reading time: 7 minutes