Where to put your certification on a resume

Put your certification in its own section, placed after your work experience and before your education section. If you have only one or two certifications, you can add them to your education section instead. The exact placement depends on how recent the certification is and how relevant it is to the job you are explore for — a certification earned last month matters more than one from ten years ago, so move it higher if it directly matches the job description.

Some resumes combine certifications with education under a single "Education & Certifications" heading. This works well if you have fewer than three certifications. If you have more than three, or if your certifications are more impressive than your degree, give them their own section so they stand out.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a separate "Certifications" section on your resume, positioned after work experience and before education.
  • List each certification with the full name, the issuing organization, and the date you earned it or the date it expires.
  • Include only certifications that are current or that expired less than five years ago, unless the job posting specifically asks for an older one.
  • Match the format and style of your certification entries to the rest of your resume so the document looks consistent.

What information to include for each certification

Write the certification name exactly as it appears on your certificate. Do not shorten it or use an acronym unless the acronym is more widely recognized than the full name — for example, "PMP" (Project Management Professional) is better known than the full title. Include the organization that issued the certification, the month and year you earned it, and the expiration date if the certification has one.

If the certification is still valid, you can write "Issued January 2023" or "Earned January 2023." If it has an expiration date, write "Valid through January 2026" or "Expires January 2026." Do not list a certification that expired more than five years ago unless the job posting specifically mentions it or you have no other certifications to show. Expired certifications can make you look out of date, even if the knowledge is still useful.

How to format your certifications section

Use the same formatting style you used for your work experience and education sections. If you bolded your job titles, bold your certification names. If you indented your bullet points under each job, indent your certification details the same way. Consistency makes your resume easier to read and shows attention to detail.

Here is a basic format that works on most resumes:

Certifications Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State Board of Accountancy, Issued May 2022 Google Analytics Certification, Google, Valid through December 2025 First Aid and CPR Certification, American Red Cross, Issued March 2023, Expires March 2026

If you want to add more detail, you can include a one-line description of what the certification covers, especially if the name is not self-explanatory. For example: "AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Amazon Web Services, Issued September 2023 — validates cloud architecture design and deployment skills."

When to move a certification higher on your resume

If a certification is the main reason you are may have access to for the job, move it up. Place it right after your job title and summary, before your work experience, if the job posting emphasizes it. For example, if you are explore for a role that requires a specific license or certification and you just earned it, putting it near the top signals that you meet the core requirement.

You can also move a certification higher if you have limited work experience. A recent graduate with a strong certification but few jobs should list the certification prominently so hiring managers see it when ready. Once you have several years of relevant work experience, your job history becomes more important than your certifications, so move the certifications section back down.

Certifications that belong in other sections

Some certifications fit better elsewhere on your resume. If you earned a certification as part of a degree program — for example, a teaching certification you earned while getting your bachelor's degree — list it under your education section next to that degree. If you earned a professional license that is required for your job, such as a real estate license or nursing license, you can list it in a separate "Licenses & Certifications" section or include it at the top of your resume under your name and title.

Technical certifications that are part of a larger training program, such as a bootcamp certificate, should go in your education section if the bootcamp is your main credential. If you have a degree plus a bootcamp certificate, list the degree first, then the certificate below it.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not list certifications you have not actually earned. Do not include the word "in progress" unless the job posting specifically asks for candidates who are working toward a certification. If you are still studying for an exam, wait until you pass it to add it to your resume.

Do not use outdated certification names. If a certification was renamed or replaced by a newer version, use the current name and note the version if it matters. For example, write "AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (current version)" if you want to clarify that you have the latest version, not an older one.

Do not list every online course you have taken as a certification. A certificate of completion from a free online course is not the same as a professional certification. Include only certifications from recognized organizations, industry bodies, or government agencies. If you are unsure whether something counts, ask yourself: would a hiring manager in this field recognize this as a real credential? If the answer is no, leave it off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I list certifications that are not directly related to the job?

Include only certifications that are relevant to the job or show skills the employer values. A CPR certification matters for a healthcare job but not for a software engineering role. If you have space and the certification shows useful skills — like project management or communication — you can include it, but prioritize the ones that match the job description.

What if my certification expired but I still use the skills?

Do not list it as current. You can mention the expired certification in your cover letter or during an interview if it is relevant, but on your resume, stick to certifications that are still valid. If the certification is important to the role, consider renewing it before you explore.

How many certifications should I list on my resume?

List as many as you have, as long as they are current and relevant. Most resumes include between one and five certifications. If you have more than five, include only the ones that match the job posting or are most impressive in your field. You can mention additional certifications in your cover letter if space is tight.

Do I need to include the certification number or ID?

You do not need to include it on your resume. Certification numbers are useful for employers who want to verify your credential, but you can provide that information during the hiring process if they ask. Some industries, like nursing or accounting, expect the license number on the resume — check what is standard in your field.

Should I list certifications I earned years ago if I have not renewed them?

No. If a certification has expired and you have not renewed it, leave it off your resume. Listing expired certifications can raise questions about why you let them lapse. If the certification is important to the role, renew it before you explore.