Add certifications in the Licenses & Certifications section

LinkedIn has a dedicated section for licenses and certifications, separate from your work experience and education. To add one, go to your profile, click the Add profile section button (the plus icon), and select Licenses & Certifications from the dropdown menu. If you already have this section on your profile, you can click the plus icon directly within it.

Fill in the certification name exactly as it appears on your credential. Then add the issuing organization — the body that granted the certification, like CompTIA, Google, or the Project Management Institute. LinkedIn will often auto-suggest the organization name as you type, which helps keep your profile consistent with others who hold the same credential.

You will see optional fields for the issue date, expiration date, and credential ID. Add these if your certification includes them. The credential ID is the unique number or code that proves you earned it; including it lets employers verify your certification directly through the issuing organization's database.

Key Takeaways

  • The Licenses & Certifications section is a separate part of your profile, distinct from your job history and education.
  • Enter the certification name and issuing organization exactly as they appear on your official credential.
  • Add your credential ID if you have one, so employers can verify your certification through the issuing body.
  • Include expiration dates for certifications that expire, so your profile stays current and accurate.
  • You can add a credential URL that links to your badge or certificate, making it straightforward for viewers to confirm what you earned.

Add a credential URL to prove you earned it

Many certification programs issue digital badges or host your credential on their own website. If yours does, you can paste the URL into the Credential URL field. This link lets anyone viewing your profile click through and see proof that you actually hold the certification.

To find your credential URL, log into the issuing organization's platform — Coursera, Google Career Certificates, Credly, or whoever issued your badge — and look for a shareable link or public profile page. Copy that URL and paste it into the field. LinkedIn will display a small link icon next to your certification, signaling that it is verifiable.

Update or remove a certification you no longer hold

If a certification expires and you do not renew it, you should remove it from your profile or update the expiration date so it is accurate. Hover over the certification, click the three-dot menu, and select Edit or Delete. Keeping expired certifications on your profile can confuse employers about your current qualifications.

If you earned a renewal or an updated version of a certification, add the new one as a separate entry with the new issue date. You can keep the old one if it shows your history, but make sure the current one is clearly marked with today's date so employers know which version you hold now.

Organize certifications by relevance and recency

LinkedIn displays certifications in the order you add them, with the most recent at the top. If you have multiple certifications, consider adding your most job-relevant ones first — the ones that directly match the roles you are pursuing. A hiring manager often scans your profile quickly, so putting your strongest credentials near the top increases the chance they will see them.

If you earned certifications years ago but they are still current and valuable, update the issue date to reflect when you last renewed or confirmed them. This keeps your profile honest while showing that your skills are active, not outdated.

Use the certification section to show ongoing learning

Employers value candidates who keep their skills current. Adding certifications as you earn them — whether they are short courses, vendor-specific credentials, or professional licenses — shows that you invest in your own development. This is especially important in fields like technology, project management, and healthcare, where certifications often matter more than a degree alone.

If you are working toward a certification, you do not have to wait until you pass the exam to add it. Some people add certifications with a note in their headline or summary that they are "in progress," though LinkedIn does not have a built-in status for this. Once you pass, update the entry with your official issue date.

Make sure your certification name matches the official credential

Use the exact name of the certification as it appears on your official document or badge. If the official name is "Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer," do not shorten it to "Google Cloud Engineer." Employers and recruiters often search for specific certification names, and using the exact title makes sure your profile shows up in those searches.

The issuing organization field is equally important. If you earned a certification through Coursera but it was issued by Google, list Google as the organization, not Coursera. LinkedIn uses the organization name to group certifications and help recruiters find candidates with specific credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a certification I am still working toward?

LinkedIn does not have an official "in progress" status for certifications. You can add it once you have passed the exam and received your credential. Some people mention in-progress certifications in their headline or summary instead, but the Licenses & Certifications section is meant for credentials you have already earned.

What if my certification does not have an expiration date?

Leave the expiration date field blank. Not all certifications expire — many are valid for life once you earn them. LinkedIn will not display an expiration date if you do not fill one in, so your profile will be accurate either way.

Do I need to include my credential ID?

It is optional, but including it is a good idea. Your credential ID lets employers verify your certification directly through the issuing organization's database, which adds credibility to your profile. If you do not have it handy, you can usually find it on your official certificate or badge.

Can recruiters search for people by certification?

Yes. Recruiters use LinkedIn's search filters to find candidates with specific certifications. The more accurate and complete your certification information is — including the exact name and issuing organization — the more likely you are to show up in those searches.

Should I remove old certifications that are no longer relevant?

If a certification is expired and you have not renewed it, remove it. If it is still current but no longer relevant to the roles you are pursuing, you can leave it on your profile — it shows your background — but put your most relevant certifications higher up so they are more visible.