How to List Certifications on a Resume
Last updated 2026-08-06
In some fields a certification is a filter you either pass or do not — nursing, teaching, accounting, project management, cloud and security in particular. In others it is supporting evidence. Placement should follow that difference.
Where to put them
If the certification is a hard requirement for the role, put it in your headline and directly under your summary. "Registered Nurse (BSN, CCRN)" or "PMP-certified Project Manager" belongs at the top, not on page two.
If it is supporting evidence, a Certifications section after Education is the right place.
What to include per entry
- Full certification name, not just the acronym — then the acronym in brackets, so both forms are searchable.
- The issuing body.
- The date awarded, and the expiry date where one exists.
- A credential ID or verification link where the issuer provides one.
What not to list
- One-hour online course completions. A long list of these dilutes the certifications that matter.
- Expired credentials, unless you note them as such and the experience remains relevant.
- Certifications for skills you have not used in years.
- Internal company training with no external recognition.
In-progress certifications
List them honestly with an expected date: "AWS Solutions Architect – Associate (in progress, expected Nov 2026)". This is legitimate and shows direction. Listing an unattempted certification as complete is not.
Frequently asked questions
- Do online course certificates count?
- Substantial programs with real assessment do. Passive video completion certificates do not, and listing many of them signals inexperience.
- Should I list an expired certification?
- Only if the underlying experience is still relevant, and mark it clearly as expired. An undisclosed expiry discovered at reference stage is worse than the omission.
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