How to List Certifications on a Resume in 2024 (+ Examples)

Certificates are so often the beating heart of your application. Including relevant certifications on your resume can set you apart from the crowd and show the hiring manager that you have the right skills for the job. If you’ve worked hard to gain high-level grades, you’re going to want to show them off.

However, there’s a right and a wrong way to list professional certifications. Choosing the perfect format, style, and packing in the right details is a must. So, how do you master this art?

In this guide, we’ll explain how to list certifications on a resume and serve up some resume certification examples to give you all the inspiration you need. Let’s get started.

What are resume certifications?

Before we go any further, let’s start with a quick definition. Professional certifications are credentials awarded by professional organizations or educational institutions. Certificates showcase your specific skills or knowledge in a particular field or profession.

Let’s take a look at the different types available:

Most often, professional certificates fall into the categories we’ve covered above. The awarding body will depend on the industry you’re in.

Professional certificates vs. degrees and licenses

Professional certificates are not the same as degrees and licenses. Degrees often take several years to complete and are undertaken at universities or colleges. These offer an in-depth understanding of the subject matter while professional certificates take less time to complete and offer career advancement.

Licenses are often industry-specific and may be legally-required when you practice in specific fields. You may need to renew certain professional licenses on a regular basis to continue working. Not all licenses require you to take a full course but some do.

When should you include certification on a resume

Before we dive into how to list certificates on a resume, let’s talk about when to do it. You shouldn’t whack any old certificates on your resume. Instead, you need to be strategic about it.

Here are some scenarios when to include professional certificates on your application:

Adding certificates to your resume is a small tweak, which could make a big difference. When you’re trying to stand out against a sea of applicants, it’s these additions that can grab the hiring manager’s attention.

How to list certifications on your resume

Learning how to list certifications on your resume doesn’t have to be hard. The aim of the game is to make it easy for the reader to understand your qualifications. For that reason, it’s smart to use a solid structure throughout your resume.

Here’s what you need to include when listing certificates (in the following order):

Where to include certifications on your resume

As a general rule, include your professional certificates in a dedicated "Certifications and Licenses" section. This makes it easy for the hiring manager to find at a glance. However, if you received it as part of your formal education, you can slide it into your Education section.

Want to brag about your certificate? If it comes complete with an acronym, you can list it after your name. For example, you may put “Sam Smith CPA” if you’re a Certified Public Accountant. You might also want to mention it in your Summary or Objective if it’ll give you the competitive edge.  

Resume certifications examples

We’ve already explained how to list certifications on a resume, but let’s take a look at how they look.

Check out our resume certification examples, listed according to the section:

Header example

When including certificates in your resume header, you only need to write the acronym. Add these letters to the end of your name, in order of significance.

Summary section example

Your summary—or objective—is a great place to shout about your professional certifications. Mention the certificate you have and include results-based points to back up your experience.

Certification and licenses section example

Do you have a selection of certificates and licenses under your belt? If so, we recommend creating a dedicated section that showcases your accomplishments.

Education section example

If you achieved your certificate during your formal education, you can list it in this section. Make sure your certificate is a separate point and include the relevant information as follows:

Now you know how to include certifications on your resume, let’s talk about in-progress certificates.

How to list in-progress certifications on a resume

Currently pursuing a professional certificate? You don’t have to wait until it’s completed to showcase it. Feel free to include in-progress certifications on your resume, but be sure to clearly indicate that you’re still working towards them. This demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and keeps potential employers informed about your ongoing development.

Here are two examples:

Certification and licenses section example

If you’re including your in-progress certificate in a dedicated section, write the words “In Progress” next to it. You can include a hyphen, as we have in the example below.

Summary section example

Within your summary section, you can be direct about any in-progress certificates. For instance, you might use the words “currently pursuing” and then list the full name of the certification.

Tips for listing certifications on a resume

Here are some excellent quick tips that are easy to remember and effective to use:

• Include the name and acronym: For example, you might write “Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).” This makes it clear what certificate you’ve gained.
• Don’t miss out the details: Include all the basic details such as the dates, name of awarding body, and any specific modules you want to mention.
• Order them well: Either list your certificates in chronological order or priority order.
• Keep them up to date: Regularly go back and make sure this section is up to date.
• Make sure they’re relevant: Always make sure the certifications you include are relevant. Do they directly relate to the job and/or field you’re applying to?

Take a look at our resume example complete with professional certifications:

Conclusion

Listing certificates on your resume is a savvy way to elevate your application. However, you need to list them correctly and make sure they’re clear for the reader. You should also ensure that your resume certifications are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

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