Where to find the certificates section on LinkedIn

The certificates section lives in the middle of your profile, below your experience and education. On desktop, scroll down past your job history and school information until you see a section labeled "Licenses & certifications". On the mobile app, the same section appears in the same order — scroll to find it, then tap the plus icon next to the heading to start adding.

If you do not see this section on your profile yet, LinkedIn will create it automatically the moment you add your first certificate. You do not need to enable it or change any settings first.

Key Takeaways

  • The certificates section sits below your education history on both desktop and mobile, and you add entries by clicking the plus icon next to "Licenses & certifications".
  • You will need the certificate name, the issuing organization, the issue date, and optionally an expiration date and credential URL.
  • LinkedIn lets you set an expiration date if your certificate renews, and you can link to the credential online so viewers can verify it.
  • Once you add a certificate, you can choose whether to display it publicly or keep it visible only to yourself.

Step-by-step process for adding a certificate on desktop

Open your LinkedIn profile and scroll down to the "Licenses & certifications" section. Click the plus icon to the right of that heading. A form will appear asking for the certificate name — type the exact name as it appears on your credential, such as "Google Analytics Certification" or "AWS Certified Solutions Architect".

Next, enter the issuing organization. LinkedIn will suggest matches as you type; select the correct one from the dropdown if it appears. If your organization is not listed, type the full name and LinkedIn will add it. Then enter the issue date using the month and year dropdowns. If your certificate expires, check the "This credential expires" box and set the expiration date the same way.

In the "Credential ID" field, enter any reference number or ID that came with your certificate. In the "Credential URL" field, paste the web address where someone can view or verify your certificate — many issuing organizations provide a public link you can share. Both of these fields are optional but recommended, since they let viewers confirm your credential is real.

Click "Save" when you are finished. Your certificate now appears on your profile.

Adding certificates on the LinkedIn mobile app

Open the LinkedIn app and go to your profile by tapping your photo at the bottom. Scroll down to "Licenses & certifications" and tap the plus icon. The same form appears: certificate name, issuing organization, issue date, and optional expiration date, credential ID, and credential URL.

Fill in each field the same way you would on desktop. The dropdown suggestions for organization names work the same way. When you are done, tap "Save" and the certificate is added to your profile when ready.

What information you need before you start

Gather these details from your certificate or the issuing organization before you open LinkedIn. You will need the exact name of the certificate as it appears on your credential — "Google Analytics Individual Qualification" is different from "Google Analytics Certification", so match it precisely.

You will also need the name of the organization that issued it. For well-known programs like Google, AWS, or Coursera, LinkedIn recognizes these names and will suggest them. For smaller or internal certifications, type the organization name as it appears on the certificate itself.

The issue date is required — the month and year you received or completed the certification. If your certificate renews or expires, note that date too. Finally, if the issuing organization provided a credential ID or a public URL where the certificate can be viewed, have that ready. These are optional but make your credential more credible.

Controlling who sees your certificates

By default, certificates you add are visible to everyone who views your profile. If you want to change this, click the three dots next to the certificate and select "Edit". At the bottom of the form, you will see a visibility dropdown — change it from "Public" to "Private" if you want only you to see it.

You might keep a certificate private if it is outdated, if you are still in the process of renewing it, or if you straightforward do not want it featured on your public profile. You can change the visibility setting at any time by editing the certificate again.

Editing or removing certificates

To change any information on a certificate you have already added, click the three dots next to it and select "Edit". Update any field — the name, organization, dates, credential ID, or URL — and click "Save". The changes appear on your profile when ready.

To remove a certificate entirely, click the three dots next to it and select "Delete". LinkedIn will ask you to confirm; click "Delete" again and the certificate is removed from your profile. You can add it back later if you change your mind.

Tips for certificates that stand out

Always include the credential URL if the issuing organization provides one. This is the single most important detail after the certificate name and organization, because it lets recruiters and connections verify that you actually hold the credential. Many employers check this before moving forward with a candidate.

Keep your certificate names exact and complete. "Google Analytics" is less clear than "Google Analytics Individual Qualification". Recruiters searching for specific certifications may not find yours if you shorten or paraphrase the name.

If you hold multiple certifications from the same organization — such as several AWS certifications — add each one separately rather than combining them into a single entry. This makes your profile easier to scan and helps LinkedIn's search algorithm match you with relevant opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a certificate that has already expired?

Yes. LinkedIn does not prevent you from adding expired certificates. You can include them on your profile and set the expiration date so viewers know when it ended. Some people keep expired certificates visible if they are still relevant to their work, and others hide them by changing the visibility to private.

What if the issuing organization is not in LinkedIn's dropdown list?

Type the organization name into the field and LinkedIn will accept it. The organization will not appear as a clickable link the way recognized companies do, but the certificate will still display on your profile and be searchable. If the organization becomes more widely used on LinkedIn later, the system may link it retroactively.

Do I need a credential URL to add a certificate?

No, the credential URL is optional. However, including it makes your certificate much more credible because viewers can verify it independently. If your issuing organization provides a public link to your credential, adding it takes just a few seconds and is worth doing.

Can I add certificates I am currently working toward?

LinkedIn does not have a separate section for in-progress certificates. You can add a certificate once you have completed it and received your credential. Some people add a note in their headline or about section if they are pursuing a major certification, but the certificates section itself is for completed credentials only.

How many certificates can I add to my profile?

LinkedIn does not set a limit on the number of certificates you can add. However, your profile will be easier to read if you include only the certifications most relevant to your current role or industry. Recruiters typically scan the first few certificates, so prioritize the ones that matter most to your target job.