How to Include Certifications on a Resume: Examples & Tips

Virtually every career field has at least one association, trade organization, school, or business offering a certification program. Whether you’ve completed a rigorous qualification process or earned a credential through additional training, certifications strengthen your resume and show employers you’re invested in your professional development.

In this guide, you’ll learn why including certifications on your resume can improve your job prospects and get tips on which certifications to highlight, which to exclude, where to list them, and how to format them.

Reasons to Include Certifications on a Resume

Certifications related to the jobs you’re applying for can help you show credibility, capability, and initiative. 

Here are the top reasons to include certifications on your resume:

• Meet role or industry requirements. Comply with application and credential requirements to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and human screeners alike.
• Strengthen a resume with limited experience or no degree. Demonstrate verified, job-ready skills, which can help balance limited education or professional experience.
• Validate your skills and stand out to employers. Provide measurable proof of your expertise and credibility, helping you stand out in a competitive job market.
• Support a career change or new direction. Bridge skill gaps and align your experience with the expectations of a new industry or role, especially if you’re making a career transition.
• Add real value to your application. Show commitment to continuous learning to enhance your qualifications, employment opportunities, and long-term career growth.

Types of Certifications to Include on a Resume

Not every certificate or course belongs on your application. Your task is to highlight certifications that are relevant, current, and meaningful for the role you’re targeting.

Here are the main types of certifications to include in your resume:

1. Licenses and Mandatory Certifications

Some professions legally require specific certifications or licenses to obtain work. These credentials should always be listed clearly on your resume. If your certification is required by law or industry regulation, make sure it’s easy to find on your resume, ideally near your name or in a dedicated section.

Examples include nursing licenses (RN, LPN), state-specific teaching credentials, commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), and certifications like CompTIA Security+ for cybersecurity roles.

2. Specialized Certifications and Professional Courses

Specialized certifications show you’ve completed advanced or role-specific training, demonstrating continued learning, career development, and expertise beyond a degree or standard experience. These should come from accredited institutions, professional associations, or recognized training programs.

Examples include Google Analytics Certification for marketers, Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) for project managers, and Salesforce Certified Administrator for customer relationship management (CRM) specialists.

3. Industry-Recognized Certifications and Skill Programs

Industry certifications are often tied to widely used tools, platforms, or skills within your field. These programs can help you stand out in competitive industries, especially among employers that value familiarity with specific technologies or processes.

Examples include Amazon Web Services’ AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner for IT professionals, Adobe Certified Professional for designers, or Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) for HR specialists.

4. In-Progress Certifications

If you’re actively pursuing a certification program related to the job you’re applying for, it’s worth including, especially if you’re transitioning careers or building experience in a new field. Showing initiative can help bridge the gap between your current qualifications and your target role.

Types of Certifications Not to Include on a Resume

With countless certifications available, your resume can quickly become cluttered with filler, outdated credentials, or disreputable programs. Too many low-value certifications can distract from your most relevant qualifications, so focus on quality over quantity.

Highlight only the certifications that directly support your expertise and readiness for the role, and skip:

• Free online courses with little professional value: For instance, a short, unverified “Business Management Basics” course from a free platform doesn’t carry the same weight as an accredited certification from a well-known organization, such as Google, Meta, or PMI.
• Expired certifications or those irrelevant to your current career goals: An old first-aid certification likely won’t strengthen your application for a remote marketing job, just as an outdated coding credential won’t help if you’re making a switch to HR.
• Programs that reflect personal interests rather than professional objectives: Classes like “Intro to Photography” or “Creative Writing for Beginners” might be enjoyable, but they won’t add value if you’re applying for a finance or IT position.

Where to Put Certifications on a Resume (With Examples)

You may be asking yourself, “Where do certifications go on a resume?” The placement of your certifications is almost as important as choosing which to feature. The right location helps employers quickly spot your qualifications and ensures your certifications reinforce your professional story. 

Ultimately, where you include certifications on your resume depends on how fitting they are for the position, whether they’re required, and how much experience you already have.

1. After Your Name

If a certification is well-known and central to your professional identity, list it directly after your name at the top of your resume to instantly communicate your qualifications and help employers recognize that you meet key industry standards.

Listing certifications after your name is best for professional or legally recognized credentials, such as Certified Case Manager (CCM), RN, or PMP, rather than short courses or general skill certifications. Avoid listing basic or skill-based credentials here, like “Excel Certified” or “Google Ads Certified,” since adding them next to your name can come across as unprofessional or inflated.

Even when listed after your name, your certifications should also appear in a dedicated certifications or licenses section.

Examples:

• Olivia Chen, RN
• Marcus Rivera, CPRW
• Priya Patel, PMP

2. In Your Certifications or Licenses Section

If certifications are an important (or legally required) part of your qualifications, create a separate section labeled “Certifications” or “Licenses” near the top or bottom of your resume.

This format works well if you hold multiple credentials or if they’re essential to your field.

Example:

Certifications

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Pennsylvania Department of Health, 2024
• CompTIA Security+, CompTIA, Expected November 2025

3. In Your Professional Summary

If your certifications are mentioned in the description of the job you’re applying for, feature them near the top of your resume, in your professional summary section. This draws attention to credentials that match the employer’s needs and may help your resume rank higher in ATS scans.

Example:

Professional Summary

Organized and detail-oriented data analyst with advanced Excel skills and a Google Data Analytics Certificate. Experienced in turning large data sets into actionable insights to drive business strategy.

4. In Your Skills Section

You can also highlight certifications in your skills section to show proficiency with specific tools or programs. This is especially useful for technical roles or positions where practical skill application matters most.

Example:

Key Skills

• Data Visualization
• Microsoft Excel (Certified)
• SQL
• Tableau

5. In Your Experience Section

If a certification directly connects to a specific role or project, include it in your experience section. This approach shows how you’ve applied your training in real-world situations and adds context for how each certification contributes to your results or achievements.

Example:

Marketing Coordinator | BrightLine Media | 2022 - Present

• Improved campaign ROI by 25% after earning the HubSpot Email Marketing Certification and implementing new segmentation strategies.
• Created and managed weekly reports using Google Analytics to measure audience engagement and conversion trends.

How to List Certifications on a Resume: 6 Steps

So, how do you put certifications on a resume? Follow these six steps to get the most out of the certifications on your resume:

1. Review the Job Description for Relevant Certifications

Before adding your certifications, read the job description carefully to identify which credentials are most relevant. Tailoring your certifications to each job helps ensure your resume aligns with the employer’s priorities and passes ATS filters effectively.

For instance, if a certification is listed as a requirement, such as a teaching license, CPA, or specific software credential, make sure it’s featured prominently (such as after your name). For certifications that aren’t required but still add value, highlight them in a visible but secondary position (such as your skills section).

2. Display the Certification Name, Date, and Issuing Organization

Each certification should be listed with its official title, the name of the issuing organization, and the completion or expected completion date. Doing so adds legitimacy and allows employers to verify your credentials if needed.

Avoid abbreviations unless the certification is widely recognized, and always double-check spelling and capitalization against the official credential name.

Example:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA), American Institute of CPAs, 2024

3. Include Key Details in Each Section

Wherever you include certifications, whether under your name, in a dedicated section, or within experience entries, maintain the same level of detail throughout. If a certification has an expiration date, renewal period, or “in progress” status, make that clear.

Example:

Google Data Analytics Certificate, Coursera, Expected June 2025

4. Use Consistent, Professional Formatting

Keep your certification formatting simple, clean, and aligned with your resume style. Use bullet points or line breaks for readability, and avoid decorative icons or images. Consistent formatting ensures your resume looks cohesive and remains easy to read for both ATS software and human reviewers.

For example, write “Certified Project Manager (CPM)” instead of “CPM” alone, unless the acronym is universally recognized in your field. This approach can also help you capture critical resume keywords.

5. Keep Your Certifications Updated

Review your resume regularly. Remove credentials that are no longer valid or applicable to your current career goals, and add any new certifications you’ve gained in their place.

6. Get Help From Resume Tools

When creating or updating your resume, using a resume builder can simplify how you add and format certifications. Most platforms let you input your credentials directly and will automatically create a section or incorporate them into other areas of your resume based on the template you select.

These tools help ensure your certifications are displayed clearly and consistently, with simple formatting that works well for both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems. Furthermore, resume builders save time and make it easy to update your resume as you earn new certifications.

Key Takeaways: Listing Certifications on a Resume

Keep these best practices in mind to showcase your certifications clearly, professionally, and in a way that strengthens your overall resume:

• Be intentional with placement. List certifications where they add the most value, such as after your name for prominent credentials, in your skills section for technical expertise, or in your professional summary if they’re directly mentioned in the job description.
• Use structured, professional formatting. Lay out each certification the same way, with clear spacing for easy scanning by both ATS algorithms and hiring managers.
• Include important details. Always note the full certification name, issuing organization, and appropriate dates, such as completion, expiration, or in-progress status.
• Focus on quality over quantity. Highlight the certifications that best support your career goals, and skip outdated, irrelevant, or filler courses.
• Keep everything current. Regularly review your certifications to ensure they’re up to date and aligned with your latest skills and career direction.

Go Beyond Certifications on a Resume

Certifications can strengthen your resume, but they’re just one part of a strong application. Employers also want to see how you present your experience, skills, and accomplishments in relation to the role.

To make sure your resume communicates your full potential, consider getting a free resume review from Monster. You’ll receive expert feedback and practical suggestions to improve your resume and make a stronger impression on employers. Let Monster help you put your best qualifications forward!