Where to find the certifications section on LinkedIn
The Certifications section sits in the middle of your LinkedIn profile, below your Experience section and above your Skills section. On desktop, scroll down your profile page until you see the heading "Certifications" with a small pencil icon next to it. On the mobile app, the same section appears in the same order as you scroll through your profile.
If you do not see a Certifications section on your profile yet, LinkedIn will create one automatically the first time you add a certification. You do not need to enable it or set it up separately — it appears once you add your first entry.
Key Takeaways
- Click the pencil icon next to "Certifications" on your profile, or use the plus icon if the section does not exist yet, to open the form.
- Enter the certification name, the organization that issued it, the issue date, and the expiration date if one exists.
- LinkedIn will suggest matching certifications as you type the name, which saves time and ensures the name matches official records.
- You can add a credential ID or credential URL so people can verify your certification directly.
- Certifications appear publicly on your profile unless you hide them, and they show up in search results when recruiters look for specific credentials.
Step-by-step: adding a single certification
Open your LinkedIn profile and scroll to the Certifications section. Click the pencil icon in the top right corner of that section. A form will open with fields for Certification Name, Issuing Organization, Issue Date, and Expiration Date.
Type the name of your certification in the first field. As you type, LinkedIn will show you matching certifications from its database — for example, if you type "Google Analytics", it will suggest "Google Analytics Certification" with the official Google logo. Click the suggestion that matches your actual certification. Using the suggestion ensures the name is correct and official.
In the "Issuing Organization" field, enter the name of the organization that issued the certification. Again, LinkedIn will suggest matches as you type. Select the official organization from the dropdown if it appears.
Enter the month and year you received the certification in the "Issue Date" field. If your certification expires, enter that date in the "Expiration Date" field. If it does not expire, leave that field blank or toggle off the expiration date option.
Click "Save" when you are finished. The certification will appear on your profile when ready.
Adding credential IDs and URLs for verification
After you save a certification, you can add a credential ID or credential URL so that people viewing your profile can verify the certification is real. Click the pencil icon on the certification you just added, and look for the "Credential ID" and "Credential URL" fields.
The credential ID is a unique number or code issued by the certifying organization. For example, Google Analytics certifications come with a credential ID that starts with a number. Enter this ID in the field provided.
The credential URL is a link to a page where someone can verify your certification. Many organizations provide a verification link when you pass an exam — for instance, Coursera sends you a link to your certificate page, and AWS provides a verification URL for AWS certifications. Paste this URL into the "Credential URL" field.
Adding these details is optional, but it strengthens your profile because recruiters and hiring managers can confirm your credentials without asking you. Save your changes when you are done.
Adding multiple certifications at once
If you have several certifications to add, you can add them one at a time using the steps above, or you can add them in sequence without closing the form. After you click "Save" on your first certification, the form will stay open and clear the fields, ready for the next entry. Type in the next certification name and repeat the process.
This approach is faster than opening and closing the form multiple times. Keep going until you have entered all the certifications you want to display. Click outside the form or press "Done" when you have finished adding all entries.
Hiding certifications or removing ones you no longer want
If you want to remove a certification from your profile, click the pencil icon on the Certifications section, find the certification you want to delete, and click the trash icon next to it. Confirm the deletion. The certification will disappear from your profile when ready.
If you want to keep a certification on your profile but hide it from public view, click the pencil icon on that specific certification and look for a visibility toggle. You can set it to "Only you" so that only you can see it when you are logged in. This is useful if you have a certification that is relevant to your work but you do not want it displayed prominently.
Common mistakes to avoid when adding certifications
Do not type the certification name in all capital letters or with unusual spacing. Use the official name that appears on your certificate, and let LinkedIn's suggestions guide you to the correct format. Misspelled or oddly formatted names may not show up in recruiter searches.
Do not leave the issue date blank if you remember it. Recruiters often filter by recency — a certification from last year looks more current than one with no date. If you are unsure of the exact month, enter your best estimate rather than leaving it blank.
Do not forget to add the expiration date if your certification expires. LinkedIn will automatically mark expired certifications, and some recruiters filter out expired credentials. If your certification renews automatically or does not expire, make sure the expiration date field is empty or toggled off.
Do not skip the credential URL or ID if you have it. This extra step takes 30 seconds but makes your profile much more credible. Recruiters often verify credentials before contacting you, and a verifiable certification moves you higher in their consideration.
How certifications appear on your LinkedIn profile
Certifications appear as a list on your profile in the order you added them. Each entry shows the certification name, the issuing organization, and the issue date. If you added an expiration date, it will show next to the issue date. If you added a credential URL, a small link icon will appear that people can click to verify the certification.
Your certifications are visible to anyone viewing your profile unless you change the visibility settings. They also appear in LinkedIn search results when recruiters search for specific credentials — for example, if a recruiter searches for "AWS Certified Solutions Architect", your profile will show up if you have that certification listed.
You can reorder your certifications by clicking the pencil icon on the Certifications section and dragging certifications up or down. Put your most relevant or recent certifications at the top so they appear first when someone views your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a certification that is not in LinkedIn's database?
Yes. If LinkedIn does not suggest a match as you type, you can still enter the certification name manually. Type the full official name of the certification and the issuing organization, and LinkedIn will save it. The certification will appear on your profile, though it may not show up in recruiter searches as easily as officially recognized certifications.
What if I do not remember the exact issue date?
Enter the month and year you remember, or your best estimate. If you only remember the year, enter January of that year. An approximate date is better than leaving the field blank, because recruiters can see that you have the certification and roughly when you earned it.
Can I add certifications that are still in progress?
You can add a certification you are currently working toward, but be clear about the status. Some people add "In Progress" to the certification name so recruiters know it is not yet complete. Alternatively, you can wait to add it until you have passed the exam and received the official credential.
Do I need to add a credential URL?
No, it is optional. However, adding a credential URL or credential ID makes your profile stronger because people can verify the certification is real. If the certifying organization provided you with a verification link or ID when you passed the exam, include it.
What happens if my certification expires?
LinkedIn will mark the certification as expired on your profile. You can either remove it, update the expiration date if you renewed it, or leave it visible to show your past credentials. Many recruiters filter out expired certifications, so if you renew a certification, update the expiration date right away.