How to List Certifications on a Resume (With Examples)

To list certifications on a resume, write the full certification name, the issuing organization and the month and year you earned it, plus the license number for state licenses. Put them in a Certifications section after your education, or after your summary when the job requires them.

Jump to resume examples with certifications.

When Certifications Matter on a Resume

• They're legally required for the role. Nurses, accountants, commercial drivers and many tradespeople need a license such as an RN, CPA or CDL to do the job at all.
• They prove skills the job prefers. A PMP, AWS or Google Analytics credential gives a recruiter third-party proof of a skill the posting asks for.
• You're new to the field or changing careers. A certificate shows formal training when your work history can't, which is why one often anchors a career change resume.

Where to Place Certifications on Your Resume

The best placement depends on how important your certifications are to the target role. You have four options.

Option 1: Create a Dedicated Certifications Section

Most professionals with multiple certifications should use a standalone section. This makes your credentials easy to find and shows commitment to professional development.

When to use this approach:

• You have 3+ certifications relevant to your field
• Certifications are important but not the primary qualification
• You want to showcase ongoing professional development

Where to place it:

• After your education section (standard placement for most roles where certifications support your qualifications)
• After your professional summary but before work experience (when certifications are critical job requirements like for healthcare professionals, IT specialists, or financial professionals)

See how to order your resume sections.

Example certifications section for a project manager:

Option 2: Add Certifications to Your Education Section

Combine certifications with education if you only have one or two credentials, or if they were earned as part of your degree program. This keeps your resume concise without creating a thin standalone section.

When to use this approach:

• You have 1-2 certifications
• Certifications were earned as part of your academic program
• You want to save space on your resume

Example combined education section:

Option 3: Mention Certifications in Your Resume Summary

If a certification is a major job requirement or your most impressive credential, reference it in your resume summary to immediately show you're qualified.

When to use this approach:

• The certification is a non-negotiable job requirement
• You're in a licensed profession (nursing, law, engineering)
• The certification is your strongest qualification

Example summary for a registered nurse:

Note: You should still list the full certification details in a dedicated section or your education section. The summary just highlights it.

Option 4: Combine Skills and Certifications

A combined section works when you have only 1 or 2 certifications, need to save space or work in a technical role where tools and credentials go together. Keep each certification on its own line so a recruiter can still spot it, and follow the same rules as the rest of the skills section of your resume.

How to Format Certifications on Your Resume

Consistent, professional formatting helps recruiters quickly identify your credentials.

What to Include in Each Entry

Every certification should include these four elements:

• Full certification name (write it exactly as it appears on your certificate, including acronyms)
• Issuing organization (the body that granted the certification)
• Date earned (month and year)
• License or credential ID (optional, but adds credibility for major certifications)

Formatting Examples

Basic format:

With credential ID:

With expiration date:

In-progress certification:

Formatting Best Practices

Use a consistent font. Match the font style and size (typically 10-12 pt) with the rest of your resume. Stick with professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

List in reverse chronological order. Put your most recent certification first, unless you're prioritizing by relevance instead of date.

Keep formatting simple. Use plain text without tables, text boxes, or graphics so both Applicant Tracking Systems and recruiters can read it. You can run it through an ATS resume checker to confirm it parses.

Bold certification names. Make the certification title stand out by using bold text, especially in a dedicated certifications section.

Resume Examples With Certifications

These 10 examples show how a certifications section looks across different roles and career stages.

IT and Cloud Certifications

Why it works: The top credential matches the cloud work in the summary, and each entry shows it is still current.

Cybersecurity Certifications

Why it works: Defensive and offensive credentials together match the alert triage and incident response work a SOC role involves.

Registered Nurse Certifications

Why it works: The license comes first with its state, number and expiration, the details a critical care nurse resume must make easy to verify.

Medical Assistant Certifications

Why it works: Clinics commonly screen for both credentials, so a medical assistant resume should show the issuer and expiration for each.

Project Manager Certifications

Why it works: PMP and CSM together signal both predictive and Agile delivery, a pairing an IT project manager resume benefits from.

Accountant Certifications

Why it works: Exam progress tells a recruiter the license is close, which matters on a staff accountant resume for promotion-track roles.

Entry-Level Data Analyst Certifications

Why it works: With little work history, two credentials in the tools the posting names stand in for experience, as in these data analyst resume examples.

HR Generalist Certifications

Why it works: One credential is enough when it's the standard the job posting names, and the renewal date shows it's active.

Warehouse and Skilled Trades Certifications

Why it works: Safety credentials are a screening gate in warehouse hiring, so a forklift operator resume should show each one with its renewal date.

Career Changer Certifications

Why it works: In-progress credentials with clear dates show the switch is already underway before the first IT job.

Want a layout that already has a certifications section? Start from one of our free resume templates.

Licenses vs Certifications vs Certificates

The three terms are often used interchangeably, but employers read them differently.

License: Required by law to practice and issued by a state or government body, such as an RN, CPA or CDL. List the state, license number and expiration date.

Certification: Earned by passing an exam set by a professional body, and often renewed, such as the PMP, CISSP or SHRM-CP.

Certificate: Shows you finished a course or program, such as the Google Data Analytics Certificate or a university online certificate.

Title the section "Licenses & Certifications" if you hold a license, or "Certifications" otherwise. Put course certificates in a separate "Professional Development" section.

Which Certifications to Include and Skip

Only certifications that support your target role deserve space on your resume.

Always Include These

Professional certifications required or preferred in your industry:

• CPA (Accounting)
• PMP or CAPM (Project Management)
• RN, NP, PA-C (Healthcare)
• PE (Engineering)
• Bar License (Legal)
• Teaching License (Education)
• Real Estate License (Real Estate)

Technical certifications from recognized vendors:

• AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud certifications
• Cisco CCNA/CCNP
• CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+
• Salesforce certifications
• CISSP (Cybersecurity)

Industry-specific credentials that demonstrate specialized knowledge:

• Six Sigma (Green Belt, Black Belt)
• SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP (Human Resources)
• CFA or CFP (Finance)
• LEED AP (Architecture/Sustainable Design)
• CPIM, CSCP (Supply Chain)

Government certifications and licenses:

• Security clearances (Secret, Top Secret)
• CDL (Commercial Drivers)
• Food Handler's Certificate
• OSHA safety certifications
• FAA licenses (Pilots)

Language proficiency certifications (when relevant):

• TOEFL (English)
• DELF/DALF (French)
• JLPT (Japanese)
• DELE (Spanish)

List these alongside your language skills on your resume so the test result backs up the proficiency level you claim.

Skip or Downplay These

• Expired certifications. Either renew them or remove them. Listing expired credentials raises questions about your commitment to staying current.
• Irrelevant certifications. If it doesn't relate to your target role, leave it off. Your yoga instructor certification doesn't belong on your software engineering resume unless you're applying to a wellness tech company.
• Basic online course certificates unless they're from recognized universities or address specific job requirements. Certificates from Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning show initiative but carry less weight than professional certifications. If you include them, create a separate "Professional Development" section.
• Outdated basic skills certificates. "Microsoft Office Specialist" certification doesn't add value for experienced professionals where these skills are assumed.

Certifications to Put on Your Resume by Industry

These are the most widely requested certifications in each field, grouped by industry.

Technology & IT

Cloud Computing

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate | Amazon Web Services: Designing scalable, highly available systems on AWS.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate | Microsoft: Implementing, managing, and monitoring Azure environments.

Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect | Google Cloud: Designing secure, scalable solutions on Google Cloud.

Cybersecurity

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | (ISC)²: Senior standard for security architecture and risk management.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | EC-Council: Ethical hacking and penetration testing.

CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA: Baseline credential for threats, network security, and cryptography.

Networking & Infrastructure

CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) | Cisco: Routing, switching, security, and wireless fundamentals.

CompTIA Network+ | CompTIA: Network configuration and troubleshooting.

CompTIA A+ | CompTIA: Entry-level hardware, software, and help desk support.

Software Development & Programming

Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE Programmer | Oracle: Java for enterprise applications.

Salesforce Certified Administrator | Salesforce: Configuring Salesforce orgs, automation, and users.

Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP) | Python Institute: Python fundamentals for entry-level roles.

Healthcare

Nursing & Patient Care

NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination) | NCSBN: Licensing exam required for registered nurses.

Basic Life Support (BLS) | American Heart Association: CPR, AED use, and emergency response.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) | American Heart Association: Cardiac arrest, stroke, and cardiovascular emergencies.

Allied Health

Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) | American Association of Medical Assistants: Clinical and administrative skills in outpatient care.

Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) | State Dental Boards: State license for cleanings, x-rays, and preventive care.

Physical Therapist (PT) License | State Licensing Boards: State license to treat movement disorders and injuries.

Emergency Response

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification | NREMT: Basic emergency care and patient transport.

Paramedic Certification | NREMT: Advanced procedures and medications in critical emergencies.

Project Management & Business Analysis

Project Management

Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute: The most requested project management credential.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) | Project Management Institute: Entry-level project management fundamentals.

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | Scrum Alliance: Facilitating Scrum teams and Agile delivery.

Business Analysis

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) | IIBA: Senior requirements management and process improvement.

Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) | IIBA: Mid-level business analysis techniques.

Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) | IIBA: Entry-level business analysis fundamentals.

Process Improvement

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt | ASQ or IASSC: Data-driven process improvement and waste reduction.

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | ASQ or IASSC: Leading complex improvement projects.

Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) | ASCM: Production planning and inventory management.

Finance & Accounting

Accounting

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA: Core license for public accounting, audit, and tax.

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA: Financial management in corporate accounting.

Enrolled Agent (EA) | IRS: Federal credential to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

Financial Planning & Analysis

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | CFA Institute: Investment analysis and portfolio management.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | CFP Board: Retirement, estate, and tax planning for individuals.

Financial Risk Manager (FRM) | GARP: Market, credit, and operational risk.

Human Resources

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) | SHRM: HR policy, talent acquisition, and compliance.

SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) | SHRM: Strategic HR leadership.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | HRCI: Employee relations, compensation, and benefits.

Marketing & Analytics

Digital Marketing

Google Analytics Certification | Google: Tracking traffic and measuring campaigns.

Google Ads Certification | Google: Search, display, and video campaigns.

Meta Blueprint Certification | Meta: Facebook and Instagram advertising.

Data Analytics

Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | Coursera: SQL, spreadsheets, and Tableau for entry-level analysis.

Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate | Microsoft: Data models and visualizations in Power BI.

Tableau Desktop Specialist | Tableau: Foundational Tableau dashboards and visualization.

Education & Teaching

State Teaching License | State Departments of Education: Required for public school teaching.

National Board Certification | NBPTS: Voluntary advanced certification for accomplished teachers.

TESOL/TEFL Certification | Various Accredited Providers: Teaching English to non-native speakers.

Legal

Bar Admission | State Bar Associations: Required license to practice law in a jurisdiction.

Certified Paralegal (CP) | NALA: Legal research, writing, and case management.

Certified Legal Manager (CLM) | ALA: Law firm operations and administration.

See how the CP credential sits on a full page in these paralegal resume examples.

Real Estate

Real Estate Salesperson License | State Real Estate Commissions: Required to represent buyers and sellers under a broker.

Real Estate Broker License | State Real Estate Commissions: Independent practice and agent supervision.

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) | RRC: Advanced residential sales.

Quality Assurance & Testing

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level | ISTQB: Software testing fundamentals.

Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) | QAI: Quality assurance processes and methods.

Certified Software Tester (CSTE) | QAI: Test design, execution, and automation.

ISTQB is the credential most often listed on a software tester resume.

Design & Creative

Adobe Certified Professional | Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign proficiency.

Certified Professional for Usability and User Experience (CPUX-F) | UXQB: UX principles, user research, and usability testing.

Google UX Design Professional Certificate | Coursera: Wireframing, prototyping, and user research.

Fitness & Wellness

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) | NASM, ACE, or ACSM: Designing safe exercise programs for clients.

Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200 or RYT-500) | Yoga Alliance: 200 or 500 hours of approved teacher training.

Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) | BCNS: Evidence-based nutrition counseling.

These are the credentials trainers put first in fitness resume examples.

Skilled Trades & Manufacturing

Safety & Compliance

OSHA 10-Hour General Industry | OSHA: Entry-level hazard recognition and injury prevention.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry | OSHA: Supervisor-level safety regulations and risk reduction.

First Aid/CPR/AED Certification | American Red Cross: Cardiac arrest, choking, and injury response.

Construction & Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) License | NCEES: Required to sign off on engineering designs.

LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) | USGBC: Green building design and construction.

Journeyman Electrician License | State Licensing Boards: Required for electrical installation and repair work.

The journeyman license leads the credentials section in most electrician resume examples.

Food Service & Hospitality

ServSafe Food Handler Certification | National Restaurant Association: Safe food handling, storage, and preparation.

ServSafe Manager Certification | National Restaurant Association: Manager-level food safety and sanitation.

Certified Sommelier | Court of Master Sommeliers: Wine knowledge, tasting, and service.

Transportation & Logistics

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) | Department of Transportation: Required to operate large commercial vehicles.

Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) | MSSC: Entry-level logistics operations.

Forklift Operator Certification | OSHA-Compliant Training: Required to operate forklifts and powered industrial trucks.

Tailor Your Certifications to Each Job

Need help optimizing your entire resume beyond certifications? An AI resume optimizer like Upplai creates tailored, ATS-optimized resumes that highlight your certifications and experience in minutes. You can also see how your certifications contribute to your overall resume score and get specific recommendations for improvement.