Where to find the certifications section on LinkedIn

The certifications section lives in the "Licenses & certifications" area of your LinkedIn profile. On desktop, go to your profile page, scroll down past your experience and education, and look for a section labeled "Licenses & certifications." If you don't see it yet, click the + icon next to "Profile" at the top of the page and select "Add profile section," then choose "Licenses & certifications" from the list.

On the LinkedIn mobile app, tap your profile photo at the bottom, scroll to find the same section, and tap the + icon next to it. The process is identical on both platforms—you're adding the same information either way.

Key Takeaways

  • The "Licenses & certifications" section is a separate area from your education history, and you add certifications through the + icon next to that section.
  • You will need the certification name, the issuing organization, the issue date, and the expiration date (if applicable) before you start adding.
  • LinkedIn can automatically verify some certifications if you provide a credential ID or URL, which increases visibility to recruiters.
  • You can hide certifications from your public profile if you want to keep them private, and you can edit or delete them at any time.

Step-by-step: adding a single certification

Click the + icon next to "Licenses & certifications" and a form will open. Start by typing the certification name exactly as it appears on your credential—for example, "AWS Certified Solutions Architect" or "Google Analytics Individual Qualification." LinkedIn will often suggest matching certifications as you type; if you see yours in the dropdown, click it to auto-fill the issuing organization.

Next, enter the issuing organization if it didn't auto-fill. This is the body that awarded the certification: Google, Amazon Web Services, CompTIA, the Project Management Institute, or whoever issued it. Then add the issue date—the month and year you earned or received the certification. If the certification expires, check the "This certification does not expire" box or enter the expiration date.

If you have a credential ID or credential URL, add it now. A credential ID is a unique number assigned to your certification; a credential URL is a link to your verified credential on the issuer's website. Both help LinkedIn verify the certification is real, which makes it more visible to recruiters. Click "Save" when you're done.

Adding multiple certifications at once

If you have several certifications to add, you don't have to save and reload between each one. After you click "Save" on the first certification, the form stays open and clears for the next entry. straightforward fill in the details for your second certification and click "Save" again. Repeat this for as many certifications as you have.

This is faster than closing the form and reopening it each time. You can add them all in one sitting, or come back later to add more—LinkedIn saves your progress as you go.

Providing credential verification details

When you add a credential ID or URL, LinkedIn can verify that the certification is genuine. A credential ID is usually a string of numbers or letters that the issuing organization assigns to you. You'll find it on your certificate, in your account on the issuer's website, or in a confirmation email they sent you.

A credential URL is a direct link to your verified credential. Many organizations—Google, Microsoft, Coursera, and others—provide a public URL you can share. To find yours, log into your account with the issuing organization, look for your certificate or credential, and copy the link. Paste it into the "Credential URL" field on LinkedIn.

If you don't have either, you can still add the certification without them. LinkedIn will display it, but it won't show a verification badge. Recruiters can still see it, but the badge adds credibility.

Making certifications visible or private

By default, certifications you add are visible to everyone who views your profile. If you want to keep a certification private—visible only to you—click on the certification after you've added it, then click the visibility icon (an eye or lock symbol) and select "Only you." This is useful if you're working toward a renewal and don't want it showing as current, or if you prefer not to display a particular credential publicly.

You can change the visibility of any certification at any time. Click the certification, adjust the privacy setting, and save. You can also delete a certification entirely by clicking it and selecting "Delete."

Editing or removing certifications later

If you need to update a certification—to fix a date, add a credential URL you found later, or change the expiration date—click on the certification in your profile and select "Edit." Make your changes and click "Save." The updated information appears when ready on your profile.

If a certification has expired or you no longer want it displayed, click it and select "Delete." Deleted certifications are removed from your profile right away. You can always add them back later if you change your mind.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is typing the certification name incorrectly or in a shortened form. Use the exact official name: "Certified Public Accountant" instead of "CPA," or "AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate" instead of just "AWS Architect." Recruiters search for specific titles, and the exact name makes your profile more discoverable.

Another mistake is leaving the expiration date blank when the certification does expire. If you don't mark an expiration date, your profile will show the certification as current even after it's expired. Check your certificate or the issuer's website to confirm the expiration date, and enter it accurately. If you renew the certification, update the expiration date in your profile.

Finally, don't skip the credential URL or ID if you have it. Adding verification details takes 30 seconds and makes your certification much more credible to recruiters and hiring managers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add certifications that are still in progress?

Yes. Leave the issue date blank or enter the expected completion date, and uncheck "This certification does not expire" so you can set a future date. You can edit it later once you've completed and received the certification. Some people add "Expected [month/year]" in the certification name to make it clear it's pending.

What if I can't find my certification when I start typing the name?

Type the exact official name as it appears on your certificate. If LinkedIn still doesn't suggest it, you can type it manually—the form will accept any text. Then fill in the issuing organization name. LinkedIn's database doesn't include every certification, especially niche or regional ones, but you can still add them by typing them in.

Do I need to add certifications if I already listed them in my education section?

No. The "Licenses & certifications" section is separate from education. If you earned a certification through a course on Coursera or Udemy, you can add it to either section, but not both. Use "Licenses & certifications" for professional credentials and "Education" for degrees or formal programs.

Will adding certifications help recruiters find my profile?

Yes. Recruiters often search LinkedIn by certification name—for example, "AWS Certified Solutions Architect" or "Google Analytics Certification." Adding certifications with the exact official name and, when possible, a credential URL makes your profile show up in those searches. Verified certifications (with a credential URL or ID) appear more prominently.

Can I hide a certification from my public profile but keep it visible to recruiters?

LinkedIn's privacy settings are all-or-nothing: you can make a certification visible to everyone or only to yourself. There is no middle option to show it to recruiters but hide it from the public. If you want recruiters to see it, it will be visible to everyone on your profile.