Add certifications in the Licenses & Certifications section

LinkedIn has a dedicated Licenses & Certifications section on your profile where you add certifications you have earned. This section sits between your Skills section and Recommendations, and it is the standard place recruiters and hiring managers look when they want to verify your credentials.

To add a certification, go to your profile, scroll to the Licenses & Certifications section, and click the + icon. A form will open asking for the certification name, issuing organization, issue date, and expiration date (if applicable). You can also add a credential URL or credential ID if the issuing body provides one — this lets people click through to verify the certification is real.

LinkedIn will often auto-suggest the organization name as you type, which helps keep your profile consistent with how others list the same certification. If you cannot find the organization in the dropdown, you can type it in manually.

Key Takeaways

  • The Licenses & Certifications section is a dedicated area on your LinkedIn profile designed specifically for credentials you have earned.
  • You can include the certification name, issuing organization, issue date, expiration date, and a URL or credential ID for verification.
  • Adding a credential URL or ID lets recruiters verify your certification directly from your profile.
  • Certifications appear on your profile in reverse chronological order, so your most recent ones show first.
  • You can also mention certifications in your headline or job descriptions if they are particularly relevant to your current role.

How to find the Licenses & Certifications section

On desktop, log into LinkedIn and go to your profile by clicking your profile photo in the top right corner. Scroll down past your About section and job history. The Licenses & Certifications section appears after your Skills section. On mobile, tap your profile photo, scroll down, and look for the same section.

If you do not see a Licenses & Certifications section on your profile yet, you can create one by scrolling to the bottom of your profile and clicking Add profile section, then selecting Licenses & Certifications from the menu.

What information to include with each certification

The certification name is required — this should match exactly what appears on your certificate or credential. The issuing organization is also required; LinkedIn will suggest matches as you type, which is helpful because it standardizes how the organization appears across all profiles.

The issue date is optional but recommended, especially for recent certifications. The expiration date is optional and should only be filled in if your certification actually expires — many professional certifications do not. If you leave the expiration date blank, LinkedIn will not display an expiration date on your profile.

The credential URL and credential ID fields let you link directly to your certification online. If the issuing organization provides a public URL where your credential can be verified (such as a Coursera certificate link or a CompTIA badge), paste it here. This adds credibility because recruiters can click through and confirm the certification is genuine.

Mentioning certifications in your headline and job descriptions

Beyond the Licenses & Certifications section, you can also highlight important certifications in your headline. For example, instead of "Marketing Manager," you might write "Marketing Manager | Google Analytics Certified." This makes your most relevant credential visible at a glance.

You can also mention certifications in the description of a specific job where you earned or used that credential. If you became a Project Management Professional (PMP) while working at a particular company, note it in that job's description. This gives context about when and where you developed that informed.

Certifications that LinkedIn recognizes automatically

LinkedIn has partnerships with some major certification providers, including Google, Microsoft, AWS, Coursera, and others. When you add a certification from one of these partners, LinkedIn may automatically verify it and display a verification badge next to the certification name on your profile. This badge signals to recruiters that the credential is legitimate.

To take advantage of automatic verification, use the exact name of the certification as it appears on the issuing organization's website, and include the credential URL if you have it. LinkedIn will attempt to match your entry to its database and verify the credential.

Organizing multiple certifications on your profile

If you have several certifications, LinkedIn displays them in reverse chronological order — newest first. This means your most recent certification appears at the top of the section. You cannot manually reorder them, but the reverse chronological display usually works in your favor because recent certifications are often more relevant to employers.

If you have many certifications and want to draw attention to the most important ones, consider adding those to your headline or job descriptions as well. This creates multiple entry points for recruiters to see your key credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add certifications that are still in progress?

You can add a certification you are currently pursuing, but be clear about its status. Leave the issue date blank and do not include an expiration date. Some people add "In Progress" to the certification name so recruiters know it is not yet complete. However, it is better to add the certification to your profile only after you have officially earned it.

What if my certification has expired?

You can keep an expired certification on your profile, but do not fill in an expiration date — LinkedIn will not display one if you leave it blank. If the certification is no longer relevant to your current work, consider removing it to keep your profile focused on current skills. If it is still valuable as a credential you once held, leaving it visible is fine.

Does LinkedIn verify all certifications automatically?

LinkedIn only automatically verifies certifications from partner organizations like Google, Microsoft, and Coursera. For other certifications, you can still add them to your profile, but they will not display a verification badge. Including a credential URL or ID helps recruiters verify them manually if they want to.

Can I add certifications from online courses like Udemy or Skillshare?

Yes, you can add any certification you have earned, including those from online learning platforms. Use the exact name of the course or certification, the platform name as the issuing organization, and include a link to your certificate if the platform provides one. LinkedIn may not automatically verify these, but the link lets recruiters confirm it is real.

Should I remove old certifications from my profile?

You do not have to remove old certifications unless they are outdated or no longer relevant to your field. If a certification shows you have long-standing informed in an area, it can be valuable to keep. If it is from an old career path you have moved away from, removing it keeps your profile focused on your current direction.