Where to find the certificates section and what you need before you start
LinkedIn stores certificates in a dedicated section of your profile, separate from your work history and education. To add one, you go to your profile, find the Licenses & Certifications section, and fill in the details LinkedIn asks for. You will need the certificate name, the issuing organization, the issue date, and optionally an expiration date and a URL where the certificate can be verified.
The certificates section is visible to anyone who views your profile, so this is where you put credentials that matter to employers or clients in your field — things like CompTIA A+, Google Analytics certification, AWS Solutions Architect, or project management credentials. LinkedIn does not verify these certificates itself; it straightforward displays what you enter.
Key Takeaways
- Open your profile, scroll to Licenses & Certifications, and click the plus icon to add a new certificate.
- Enter the certificate name exactly as it appears on the credential, the organization that issued it, and the month and year you earned it.
- If your certificate has an expiration date, add that too — LinkedIn will show it as active or expired based on the date you provide.
- Paste the URL to your certificate verification page if the issuer provides one, so viewers can confirm it is real.
- Save and your certificate appears on your profile when ready; you can edit or delete it anytime.
Step-by-step: adding a certificate from your desktop
Start by logging into LinkedIn on a web browser and going to your profile. Click your profile photo in the top left, then select "View profile." Scroll down past your headline, about section, and experience until you see the Licenses & Certifications box. If you have never added a certificate, this section may say "Add licenses & certifications" with a plus icon next to it.
Click the plus icon. A form will open with fields for Certificate name, Issuing organization, Issue date, Expiration date, and Credential URL. Fill in the certificate name first — use the exact name from your certificate or credential document. For example, if you earned "Google Analytics Individual Qualification," type that exactly, not a shortened version.
Next, enter the name of the organization that issued the certificate. Type "Google" for Google Analytics, "Amazon Web Services" for AWS certifications, "CompTIA" for CompTIA credentials, or whatever body issued yours. LinkedIn will often suggest matches as you type.
Click on the Issue date field and select the month and year you earned the certificate. This is required. If your certificate does not expire, leave the Expiration date field blank. If it does expire, add that date too — LinkedIn will automatically mark it as expired once that date passes.
The Credential URL field is optional but useful. If the issuing organization provides a public verification link or a way to view your certificate online, paste that URL here. This lets anyone viewing your profile click through and confirm the certificate is real. Not all organizations provide this, so do not worry if you do not have one.
Once all fields are filled, click Save. Your certificate now appears on your profile in the Licenses & Certifications section, listed with the most recent first.
Adding a certificate from the LinkedIn mobile app
The process on mobile is nearly identical. Open the LinkedIn app, tap your profile photo at the bottom, and tap "View profile." Scroll down to Licenses & Certifications and tap the plus icon. The same form appears: Certificate name, Issuing organization, Issue date, Expiration date, and Credential URL.
Fill in each field the same way you would on desktop. The date picker on mobile works the same — tap the Issue date field, select the month and year, and confirm. When you are done, tap Save. The certificate is added to your profile when ready and will be visible on both mobile and desktop.
What happens if you need to edit or remove a certificate
If you made a mistake or need to update a certificate, go back to your profile, find the certificate in the Licenses & Certifications section, and hover over it (on desktop) or long-press it (on mobile). A pencil icon and a trash icon will appear. Click the pencil to edit any field, or click the trash to delete the certificate entirely.
Edits save when ready and are visible to your network and anyone viewing your profile. Deletions are also when ready — the certificate disappears from your profile as soon as you confirm the deletion.
How to handle certificates that expire or need renewal
If you added an expiration date and that date passes, LinkedIn will mark the certificate as expired on your profile. You have two choices: update the expiration date if you renewed the certificate, or delete it if it is no longer current.
To renew a certificate, click the pencil icon next to it and change the Expiration date to the new date. Save the change. If you earned a new version of the same certificate (for example, you renewed your AWS certification), you can add it as a separate entry with the new issue and expiration dates. This way your profile shows both the old and new credentials, which can be useful for showing continuous learning.
Why the credential URL matters and where to find it
A credential URL is a link that takes someone directly to your certificate or a verification page. Not every issuer provides one, but many do. Google, Amazon Web Services, Coursera, and Udemy all provide shareable links to your certificates. Credly, a platform used by many certification bodies, generates a public badge URL you can share.
To find your credential URL, log into the platform where you earned the certificate and look for a "Share," "read," or "View certificate" button. Some platforms generate a unique URL automatically; others let you create a public link. Copy that URL and paste it into the Credential URL field on LinkedIn. This gives viewers a way to verify your certificate is genuine without having to ask you for proof.
Common mistakes to avoid when adding certificates
The most common mistake is misspelling the certificate name or using a shortened version. LinkedIn does not verify what you enter, so "Google Analytics" will save even if your actual credential says "Google Analytics Individual Qualification." Use the exact name from your certificate to avoid confusion and to make sure the right people find it when they search for that credential.
Another mistake is leaving the Issue date blank or entering the wrong date. LinkedIn requires this field, and employers often check the date to see how recent your credential is. If you are unsure of the exact month, use January of the year you earned it rather than guessing.
A third mistake is adding certificates that are not yet earned or that you are still working toward. LinkedIn is for credentials you have already completed. If you are studying for a certification, do not add it to your profile until you have passed the exam and received the credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add multiple certificates from the same organization?
Yes. If you earned more than one credential from the same issuer — for example, multiple AWS certifications or several Google certificates — add each one as a separate entry. Click the plus icon each time and fill in the details for that specific certificate. LinkedIn will list them all in your Licenses & Certifications section.
What if the certificate issuer is not in LinkedIn's dropdown list?
Type the organization name in the Issuing organization field even if it does not appear in the suggestions. LinkedIn will accept any text you enter. Use the official name of the organization as it appears on your certificate.
Does LinkedIn verify that my certificates are real?
No. LinkedIn does not verify certificates. It displays what you enter and provides a field for a credential URL so viewers can verify it themselves if they choose. It is your responsibility to enter accurate information.
Can I add a certificate I earned years ago?
Yes. Enter the issue date as the month and year you earned it, even if that was many years ago. If the certificate has expired, add the expiration date too. LinkedIn will show it as expired, which is accurate and honest.
What if my certificate does not have an expiration date?
Leave the Expiration date field blank. LinkedIn will not show an expiration date on your profile, and the certificate will remain listed as current indefinitely.