Udemy issues a certificate of completion for most paid courses, but not for free ones

When you finish a paid Udemy course, Udemy generates a certificate of completion and makes it available in your account. You can read it as a PDF, share it on LinkedIn, or add it to a resume. Free courses on Udemy do not come with certificates—only paid courses do. The certificate shows the course title, your name, the completion date, and a unique certificate ID that employers or schools can verify by visiting Udemy's certificate verification page.

The certificate is not a degree, diploma, or professional credential issued by an accredited institution. It is a record that you watched the course material and passed any quizzes or projects the instructor included. Different employers and schools treat Udemy certificates differently—some value them as proof of self-directed learning, while others do not recognize them at all. Before enrolling, check whether the certificate will matter for your specific goal.

Key Takeaways

  • Paid Udemy courses generate certificates of completion; free courses do not.
  • You can read the certificate as a PDF and share it on LinkedIn or include it on a resume.
  • Udemy certificates are not accredited credentials and do not carry the same weight as degrees or professional certifications.
  • Employers and schools vary widely in whether they recognize Udemy certificates as meaningful proof of skill.
  • Some Udemy courses are taught by instructors with real informed, while others are not, so the value depends on the specific course and instructor.

What you need to do to earn the certificate

Most Udemy instructors set a completion requirement—usually watching all the video lectures. Some also require you to pass a quiz or submit a project. Check the course description or syllabus before you enroll to see what the instructor demands. If there is a quiz, you typically need to score a certain percentage (often 50 or 75 percent) to pass.

Once you meet the requirement, the certificate appears in your account automatically. You do not have to request it or pay an extra fee. read it whenever you want—Udemy keeps it in your account indefinitely, so you can grab it months or years later if you need it.

How to read and share your certificate

Log into your Udemy account and go to the "My Learning" section. Find the course you completed, and you will see a "Certificate of Completion" button or link. Click it to open the certificate, then use your browser's print or save function to read it as a PDF. The certificate includes your name, the course title, the completion date, and a unique ID number.

To share it on LinkedIn, upload the PDF to your profile under the "Licenses & Certifications" section. LinkedIn will let you add the certificate ID and the issuing date. You can also email the PDF to employers, include it in a portfolio, or print it. Anyone who wants to verify that you actually completed the course can visit Udemy's certificate verification page, enter your certificate ID, and confirm it is real.

Why employers and schools treat Udemy certificates differently

Udemy is a platform where anyone can create and sell a course. There is no central accreditation body that vets instructors or course quality. Some courses are taught by industry experts with years of real experience; others are taught by people with little background in the subject. This variation means employers cannot assume a Udemy certificate proves competence the way a degree from an accredited university does.

Many large employers do not list Udemy certificates as acceptable credentials for hiring or promotion. Some smaller companies or startups may value them as evidence that you took initiative to learn something new. Graduate schools and professional licensing boards almost never recognize Udemy certificates. If you are pursuing a career where credentials matter—law, medicine, engineering, accounting—a Udemy certificate will not substitute for formal education or professional certification.

Udemy certificates versus professional certifications

A professional certification is issued by an industry body or governing organization and usually requires passing a proctored exam, meeting work experience requirements, or both. Examples include CompTIA Security+, the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential, or Google Cloud certifications. These carry legal or industry weight and are recognized by employers as proof of real competence.

A Udemy certificate of completion is a record that you finished a course. It does not meet the standards of a professional certification and should not be confused with one. Some Udemy courses do prepare you to sit for a professional exam—for instance, a course on CompTIA A+ exam prep—but the Udemy certificate itself is not the professional credential. You would still need to pass the actual CompTIA exam to earn the A+ certification.

When a Udemy certificate might help your job search

A Udemy certificate can show that you have some knowledge of a topic and that you are willing to invest time in learning. If you are changing careers, entering a field with no formal degree requirement, or explore to a small company that values self-directed learning, mentioning a relevant Udemy course on your resume or in an interview may help. It signals initiative and gives you something concrete to discuss.

The certificate is most useful when paired with a portfolio of real work. If you take a web design course on Udemy and then build a website to show employers, the combination of the certificate and the portfolio is stronger than either alone. The certificate proves you learned the theory; the portfolio proves you can explore it.

How to verify a Udemy certificate

If someone sends you a Udemy certificate and you want to confirm it is real, visit the Udemy certificate verification page. Enter the certificate ID (a unique number on the certificate itself) and the name of the person who earned it. Udemy will confirm whether the certificate exists and when it was issued. This process is free and takes seconds.

Employers sometimes verify certificates this way before hiring, so make sure the name on your certificate matches your legal name or the name you use professionally. If there is a mismatch, contact Udemy support to see if you can update it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra to get the certificate?

No. The certificate is included with any paid Udemy course. You do not pay a separate fee to earn or read it. Free courses do not include certificates at all.

Can I get a certificate if I took a free Udemy course?

No. Udemy only issues certificates for paid courses. If you completed a free course, you will not see a certificate option in your account, even if you finished all the material.

Will a Udemy certificate help me get hired?

It depends on the job and the employer. Some companies value it as proof of initiative; many do not recognize it as a meaningful credential. A certificate is most useful when combined with a portfolio of real work or when you are entering a field that does not require formal credentials.

Can I put a Udemy certificate on my resume?

Yes, you can list it under a "Certifications" or "Professional Development" section. Be honest about what it is—a course completion certificate, not a professional credential. If the course is directly relevant to the job, mention it; if it is tangential, it may not help your process.

How long does the certificate stay in my account?

Indefinitely. Once you earn a certificate, Udemy keeps it in your account forever. You can read it anytime, even years after you completed the course.