Add a certification through the Licenses & Certifications section

Open LinkedIn on a web browser or the mobile app. Go to your profile by clicking your photo in the top right corner, then select "View profile." Scroll down until you see the "Licenses & Certifications" section. If you don't have one yet, click "Add profile section" and choose "Licenses & Certifications" from the dropdown menu.

Click the plus icon next to "Licenses & Certifications" to start adding a new one. A form will appear asking for the credential name, the issuing organization, the issue date, and an expiration date if one exists. Fill in each field with the exact name of your certification as it appears on your certificate or credential document.

Some certifications have credential IDs or credential URLs — these are optional but useful if you want people to verify your certification directly. If your certification has an expiration date, toggle the "This credential does not expire" option off and enter the date. When you're finished, click "Save."

Key Takeaways

  • The Licenses & Certifications section sits on your profile between Skills and Recommendations, and you can add it if it doesn't already exist.
  • You need the exact certification name, the organization that issued it, and the date you received it to complete the form.
  • Adding a credential URL or ID number lets people click through to verify your certification directly with the issuing body.
  • Certifications with expiration dates will show a countdown on your profile, so LinkedIn will remind you when renewal is due.
  • You can edit or remove any certification after you add it by clicking the pencil or trash icon next to it.

Where the certification section appears on your profile

The Licenses & Certifications section displays on your profile between your Skills section and your Recommendations section. It appears in the same order on both desktop and mobile, so anyone viewing your profile will see your certifications in the same place.

When you add a certification, it becomes visible to anyone who can view your profile — whether that's your connections, your network, or the public, depending on your privacy settings. You can control who sees your profile overall through your privacy settings, but you cannot hide individual certifications from people who can already see your profile.

How to fill in each field correctly

The Credential name field should match exactly what appears on your certificate or the official credential document. If your certification is "Google Analytics Certified Associate," write it that way rather than shortening it to "Google Analytics" or adding extra words. LinkedIn uses this name to match your profile with others who hold the same certification.

The Issuing organization field should be the body that awarded the certification. If you took a course through Coursera but the certification was issued by Google, enter "Google," not "Coursera." LinkedIn will usually suggest matching organizations as you type, which helps may support consistency across profiles.

The Issue date is when you earned or received the certification. The Expiration date is optional and should only be filled in if your certification actually expires. Many professional certifications — like those from CompTIA, AWS, or the Project Management Institute — do expire and require renewal. If your certification is permanent, leave the expiration date blank or toggle off the expiration option.

Adding a credential URL or ID for verification

If your certification comes with a credential ID or a public URL where people can verify it, you can add this information to strengthen your profile. Click "Add credential URL" or "Add credential ID" in the form, depending on what your issuing organization provides.

A credential URL is a direct link to your verified certification on the issuing organization's website. For example, if you earned a Google certification, you might have a URL that shows your name and completion date on Google's credential verification page. Adding this link lets anyone click through to confirm you actually hold the certification.

A credential ID is a unique number or code assigned to your certification. Some organizations, like AWS or Microsoft, use credential IDs that people can look up in a public registry. If you have both a URL and an ID, you can add either one or both — LinkedIn will display whichever you provide.

Editing or removing a certification after you add it

To change a certification you've already added, scroll to the Licenses & Certifications section on your profile and hover over the certification you want to edit. A pencil icon will appear — click it to open the form again. You can change any field: the name, the organization, the dates, or the credential URL. Click "Save" when you're done.

To remove a certification entirely, hover over it and click the trash icon instead of the pencil. LinkedIn will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you confirm, the certification disappears from your profile when ready. You can add it back later if you change your mind.

Why certifications matter on LinkedIn

Certifications show employers and recruiters that you have completed formal training and met a standard set by a recognized organization. They are different from skills because they come with a credential — a document, ID, or URL that proves you earned them. This makes certifications stronger evidence of your knowledge than a skill you straightforward list.

LinkedIn also groups certifications by type, so if you have multiple certifications from the same organization, they may appear together on your profile. This clustering makes it easier for people viewing your profile to see the breadth of your training in one area.

Some certifications are more visible to recruiters than others. Popular certifications like AWS Solutions Architect, Google Analytics, or Project Management Professional (PMP) are searched for frequently on LinkedIn, so adding them increases the chance a recruiter will find your profile when they search for those credentials.

Common mistakes to avoid when adding certifications

The most common mistake is misspelling the certification name or using an informal version of it. "AWS Solutions Architect Associate" is not the same as "AWS Solutions Architect" in LinkedIn's system, so use the exact official name. Check your certificate or the issuing organization's website if you're unsure.

Another mistake is entering the wrong organization. If you took a course on Udemy but the certification was issued by a different body, enter the issuing organization, not the platform where you learned. LinkedIn uses the organization name to verify and group certifications, so accuracy matters.

Adding an expiration date when your certification doesn't expire is also common. Many certifications are permanent — once you earn them, they never expire. Only add an expiration date if your certification actually requires renewal. If you're unsure, check the issuing organization's website or your credential document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a certification I'm currently working toward?

You can add a certification to your profile only after you've earned it and received your credential. LinkedIn's Licenses & Certifications section is for completed certifications, not ones in progress. If you want to show you're working toward a certification, you can mention it in your headline or about section instead.

What if I can't find the issuing organization in the dropdown?

If the organization doesn't appear as you type, you can enter it manually. LinkedIn will create a new organization entry if one doesn't exist. Type the exact official name of the organization that issued your certification, and LinkedIn will use that name going forward.

Do I need a credential URL to add a certification?

No, a credential URL is optional. You can add a certification with just the name, organization, and issue date. A URL is helpful if you want to make it straightforward for people to verify your certification, but it's not required to add the certification to your profile.

Will LinkedIn notify my connections when I add a certification?

LinkedIn does not send a notification to your connections when you add a single certification. However, if you add multiple certifications or other profile updates at once, LinkedIn may include them in your activity feed, which some of your connections might see depending on their notification settings.

Can I add certifications from online courses like Coursera or Udacity?

Yes, if the course issued you a certificate or credential. Enter the name of the certification exactly as it appears on your certificate, and enter the organization that issued it — usually the course provider or a partner organization. If the course didn't issue a formal credential, you can mention it in your about section or skills instead.