How To List Certifications on a Resume: Guide, Examples, & Tips

Knowing how to list certifications on a resume is just as important as earning them. These credentials can boost your credibility, reinforce your qualifications, and help your resume stand out—if they’re listed clearly, consistently, and in the right context.

In this guide, you’ll learn when and where to include certifications, how to format them, and which types matter most in 2025.

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When certifications belong on a resume

Not every certification needs to be listed. The right ones make your resume more targeted, relevant, and aligned with the job.

Include certifications when they:

• Are required or preferred in the job description
• Show technical or specialized skills
• Support a career pivot or fill experience gaps
• Reflect ongoing professional development

Certifications can also boost your visibility in applicant tracking systems (ATS)—especially when they match keywords in the posting.

According to Robert Half, certifications in security, privacy, and compliance can command a 19% salary premium. Project and program management certifications may yield up to 17.7%. The right credentials don’t just strengthen your resume—they can increase your earning potential.

💡 Pro Tip: It’s hard to know which certifications are actually worth listing, especially when every role is different. Teal’s Job Matching  compares your resume to any job description and highlights what’s most relevant—including certifications—so you can list with confidence.

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How to list certifications on a resume

Certifications are a powerful way to boost your resume if you list them with clarity and intent.

Follow these five steps and learn how to add certifications to your resume in a way that’s clean, ATS-friendly, and aligned with today’s resume best practices.

Step 1: Decide where to put certifications on your resume

Where you put your certifications on a resume depends on how essential they are to the role. A well-placed credential can act as a high-impact resume enhancement, especially in competitive or regulated fields.

Where to put certifications on a resume

• Next to your name: If a certification is essential to your role or widely recognized in your industry, consider placing the acronym next to your name in your resume Contact Information section.‍
• Professional summary: Use this section to call out a certification if it’s a standout qualification or directly tied to the job title.‍
• Dedicated certifications section: Best for resumes that include multiple active credentials.‍
• Resume Education section: Ideal for educational credentials earned through universities or academic programs.‍
• Additional information: Use this for supporting details like online courses, licenses, or expired credentials that still add relevant context.

Step 2: Choose the right ones to list

Not every certification belongs on your resume. The ones you include should be current, relevant, and aligned with the job you’re applying for. The goal is fit, not volume.

What counts as a certification?
A certification is a credential earned by completing a course, exam, or training program through a recognized organization. It proves your knowledge in a specific area and signals that you meet industry standards.

Focus on certifications that:

• Are required or preferred in the job description
• Prove technical or specialized skills relevant to the role
• Support a career pivot or fill a gap in experience
• Show professional development or continuous learning

📌 Resume Myth: You should include every certification you have

Just because you earned it doesn’t mean you need to list it. Stick to certifications that support your qualifications for this role—and make sure they’re up to date.

Step 3: Format every certification clearly and consistently

An ATS-friendly resume depends on clean, consistent formatting. Resume organization is key.

• Use consistent punctuation and line breaks
• Match your font and size with the rest of your resume
• Align dates with how you format your work experience

When it comes to listing certifications, here's an example of the structure.

Step 4: Add brief context when needed

Sometimes, the name of a certification doesn’t tell the whole story. Adding a short line of context can show why the credential matters or how it supports your career goals, especially helpful when switching industries or highlighting online courses. Just keep descriptions short—just enough to explain value without overwhelming the layout.

Step 5: Keep your resume Certifications up to date

Certifications aren’t static, and neither is your resume. Regularly review and update your certifications section to reflect your most current credentials.

• Remove anything expired or outdated unless it still holds weight in your field
• Add new certifications as you earn them
• Check formatting and placement every time you update to ensure consistency

Remember, a current, relevant certification list signals you’re serious about professional development and your career—especially at a glance.

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Differences: Certifications, degrees, and licenses

Not sure how certifications differ from degrees or licenses? Here’s a quick breakdown to clear up the confusion—no deep dive needed.

💡Pro Tip: Some roles require both a degree and a license or certification. Make sure you include the right mix based on the job description.

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Types of certifications

The right certification can help you gain credibility, land interviews, or break into a new field, especially when it’s aligned with your industry and career goals.

Below are the most common types of professional development certifications and examples of where they’re most impactful.

Professional certifications

Professional certifications are industry-recognized credentials awarded by established organizations to validate expertise in a specific role or field. They’re often tied to career advancement, skill development, and employer trust.

Examples:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Finance
• Project Management Professional (PMP) – Operations/Project Management
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – Cybersecurity
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) – Marketing/Data Analysis

Technical certifications

Technical certifications validate your ability to work with specific tools, platforms, or technologies. These are especially valuable in IT, data, and engineering roles—but also benefit professionals in adjacent fields like marketing or design.

Examples:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Cloud Computing
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) – Networking
• Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator – Systems Administration
• Oracle Certified Java Programmer (OCP) – Software Development

Industry-specific certifications

These certifications are designed for professionals working in specialized fields where regulation, safety, or standardization is critical. They help signal deep subject matter expertise and a strong understanding of industry requirements.

Examples:

• Registered Nurse (RN), Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) – Healthcare
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) – Finance
• Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) – Operations
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) – Agile/Software Teams
• Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP) – Marketing

Academic certifications

Academic certifications are awarded by colleges and universities and often represent successful completion of a structured program in a specific subject. They can complement a degree or act as standalone credentials for professionals looking to expand or shift their skill set.

Examples:

• NYU: Certificate in Digital Marketing
• UC Berkeley: Data Science Certificate
• Georgetown University: Leadership Coaching
• University of Texas at Austin: Business Foundations
• University of Pennsylvania: Social Impact Strategy

Online certifications

With the rise of platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning, online  course certifications have become widely accepted, especially when offered by recognized institutions or in-demand programs. These can be a flexible, affordable way to upskill and demonstrate initiative.

Whether it’s a Meta Marketing Certificate, Google IT Support certification, or a university-issued program completed online, digital learning is increasingly part of the professional development conversation.

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Certifications on resume examples

To get a clear picture of the best methods for adding certifications to a resume, check out these resume examples across roles, industries, and seniority level below. 

Resume Certifications section example

Here are three examples of how to list certifications in a dedicated "Certifications" section on your resume.

Certifications on resume example - DevOps engineer

• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) | June 2023
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional | Amazon Web Services| October 2022
• Certified Jenkins Engineer | CloudBees, Inc. | August 2021

Certifications on resume example - Copywriter

• Google Ads - Search Advertising Certification | Google - 5/23
• HubSpot Content Marketing Certification | HubSpot Academy - 7/22
• Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer | Copyblogger - 11/21

Certifications on resume example - Administrative assistant

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word/Excel/Outlook
Date of Completion: September 2022
Issued by: Microsoft

💡Pro Tip: If you're still working toward a certification, you can list it, but make sure to include the expected completion date and clearly note that it's in progress like the example below.

Name of Certification (Acronym) - In progress
Certifying Body | Anticipated Completion

Example:
Project Management Professional (PMP) - In progress
Project Management Institute | Anticipated Completion December 2025

Examples of certifications in contact information

If a certification is essential to your field, adding it next to your name in your resume header can instantly signal credibility and alignment before a hiring manager reads a single bullet point.

Resume certification examples in contact information

Taylor Morgan, PMP

Jordan Kim, RN

Examples of certifications in Education

If you have academic certifications to add to your resume, listing them in the Education section of your resume can help keep your resume organized, and make it easy for hiring managers to review the full scope of your qualifications.

Resume certification example - Brand strategist

Education

• Master of Marketing and Communication New York University (NYU), New York City
• Graduation Date: December 2020
• NYU School of Professional Studies Branding Certificate
• Date of Completion: August 2021
• Issued by: New York University (NYU) School of Professional Studies

Resume certification example - Graphic designer 

Education

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | 2019
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Advanced Graphic Design Certificate | Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | 2020 
• UI/UX Design Certification | Interaction Design Foundation (IDF) |2021

Resume certification example - Data analyst

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Statistics University of Texas at Austin, May 2022
• University of Texas at Austin Data Analytics Certificate - University of Texas at Austin, December 2022

Examples resume certifications in a professional summary

Adding your certifications to your professional resume summary can help you catch the attention of hiring managers, recruiters, and prospective employers quickly.

Resume certification example - Backend engineer 

Java and Spring Framework specialist with five years building dependable backend systems. AWS Certified Developer with practical experience migrating monolithic applications to microservices architecture. Successfully deployed cloud-based solutions that improved system reliability and reduced infrastructure costs for e-commerce and financial clients. Technical expertise includes designing RESTful APIs, implementing caching strategies, and optimizing database performance for high-traffic applications.

Resume certification example - Customer service

Zendesk Support Certified with three years solving customer problems from my home office. Handle complex inquiries across chat, email, and phone channels with consistent attention to detail. Developed reputation for turning frustrated customers into loyal advocates by listening first, then finding solutions. Maintained satisfaction scores in the top 10% of the team while meeting efficiency metrics. Technical troubleshooting skills complement strong communication abilities, allowing me to explain complex solutions in simple terms that customers appreciate.

Resume certification example - Data Analyst

Transformed marketing strategy through Google Analytics certification expertise that revealed hidden customer patterns. SQL query optimization reduced monthly reporting cycles from days to hours across three major product lines. Python automation eliminated repetitive analysis tasks while improving data accuracy by 22%. Customer segmentation model designed for Q2 campaigns increased email conversion by 28% by targeting previously overlooked audience segments. Specializes in translating complex findings into straightforward business recommendations that drive measurable results.

Resume certification example - Human resource specialist

SHRM-CP certified professional who streamlined onboarding processes, reducing time-to-productivity by 30%. Five years managing employee relations, compliance requirements, and talent acquisition initiatives across multiple industries. Developed engagement strategies that improved retention metrics while aligning team capabilities with organizational objectives.

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Resume certification samples

Here’s a list of certifications for professionals of various career levels. The example certifications include various certification types including professional, technical, and industry-specific credentials.

Certifications for entry-level roles:

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) - Word/Excel/PowerPoint
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
• Google Ads - Fundamentals
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
• Salesforce Certified Administrator
• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ)
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Cloud Practitioner
• ITIL Foundation Certification

Certifications for mid-level roles:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Google Ads - Search Advertising Certification
• Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Data Professional (CDP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Tableau Desktop Specialist
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
• Certified Agile Project Manager (IAPM)
• Google Analytics Advanced Certification

Certifications for senior-level roles:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Scrum Professional (CSP)
• Google Ads - Display Advertising Certification
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)
• Data Management Association Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)
• Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

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Mistakes to avoid when listing certifications on a resume

❌ Listing irrelevant certifications: Skip anything that doesn’t directly support the job you’re applying for.

❌ Leaving out key details: Always include the name, certifying body, and date—especially for newer or niche credentials.

❌ Misrepresenting or exaggerating: Don’t list anything that’s expired, incomplete, or unearned. Mark “in progress” clearly.

❌ Not tailoring to the job: Your certifications should change based on the role. Prioritize what’s most relevant every time.