Certifications can make or break your application — particularly in fields like technology, finance, healthcare, and project management where they signal mandatory expertise. Yet many candidates either bury their credentials or format them inconsistently, making it harder for both ATS systems and human reviewers to find them.

This guide covers exactly where to put certifications on your resume, how to format each entry, which ones are worth listing, and the most common mistakes to avoid.

Where to Put Certifications on a Resume

Certifications can appear in three places on a resume, depending on how prominent they are and how much space you have.

Option 1: Dedicated Certifications Section. The most common approach, especially for fields where certifications are critical (healthcare, IT, finance, project management, safety). Create a section titled "Certifications," "Professional Certifications," or "Licenses and Certifications" and list them in reverse chronological order.

Option 2: Combined Education and Certifications Section. If you have limited space or few certifications, combine them with your education section. List your degree first, then your certifications. This works well for career changers or people with fewer credentials.

Option 3: Integrated into Skills Section. For very concise resumes, weave certifications into your skills section. For example, under "Cloud Computing," you might write "AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Professional)."

Option 4: In Your Professional Summary. If you have one or two highly relevant certifications that make you stand out, mention them briefly in your professional summary. "Certified Project Manager (PMP) with 10 years of experience in software delivery" immediately signals your credentials.

In most cases, a dedicated Certifications section is best. It is easy for ATS systems to scan, hiring managers can find it quickly, and it gives equal weight to your credentials.

How to Format Certification Entries

Each certification entry should include the certification name (full name, not acronym on first mention), the issuing organisation, the date obtained, the expiry date if applicable, and optionally a credential ID.

Format A (Standard)

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants | Licensed 2020

Format B (More detailed)

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional | Amazon Web Services | Obtained: August 2022 | Expires: August 2025

Format C (With credential ID)

Project Management Professional (PMP) | Project Management Institute | Certification #: 2531-0047 | Valid through: March 2027

Choose one format and use it consistently throughout your Certifications section.

What Certifications to Include vs Exclude

Include these

  • Certifications required or strongly preferred for the role
  • Recently obtained certifications (within the last 5 years)
  • Certifications from reputable, recognised bodies
  • Certifications that cost time and money to obtain
  • Certifications that are still valid
  • In-progress certifications (with expected date)

Exclude these

  • Online course completion certificates unless highly relevant
  • Outdated certifications (more than 10 years old)
  • Expired certifications (unless very recent)
  • Certifications unrelated to your target role
  • Certifications that are not widely recognised

Industry-Specific Certifications Worth Listing

Technology

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional)
  • Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
  • CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Project Management

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner
  • Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
  • Managing Successful Programmes (MSP)

Finance

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM)

Healthcare

  • Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Marketing

  • Google Ads Certification
  • HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
  • Facebook Blueprint Certification
  • Hootsuite Platform Certification

How to List In-Progress Certifications

If you are currently pursuing a certification, you can list it on your resume if you are in the final stages or if it is relevant to your job search. Include the expected completion date:

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | Scrum Alliance | Expected: June 2026

Do not list certifications you are "planning to get" or have just started. Only list them if you are actively enrolled and expect to complete within 3-6 months.

Common Mistakes When Listing Certifications

Including expired certifications without explanation. If a certification is more than 2 years expired, do not include it. If you are still active in the field and the expiry is recent, you can list it but note that you are not currently certified.

Mixing major certifications with minor online completions. "AWS Certified Solutions Architect" and "LinkedIn Learning Course Certificate: Excel for Finance" should not appear in the same list.

Using obscure acronyms without explanation. Include the full name. "Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)" is better than just "CSM."

Listing too many certifications. If you have more than 6-8 certifications, prioritise. Include the most relevant to your target role and the most prestigious.

Not updating renewed certifications. If you recently renewed, update your resume. "AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional | Renewed: December 2024, Expires: December 2026" shows you are current.

Forgetting to verify the exact certification name. "Project Manager Professional" is wrong — it is "Project Management Professional (PMP)." Hiring managers and ATS systems will catch these errors.

How Certifications Impact Your ATS Score

Certifications are key ATS keywords. ATS systems are programmed to look for specific certification names. If a job posting says "AWS Certification required," the ATS will scan for "AWS Certified" or "AWS Certification."

Use the exact terminology from the job posting when possible. If they ask for "PMP," include "Project Management Professional (PMP)." Matching the language of the posting directly improves your ATS match score and makes it easier for recruiters to verify your credentials.

See Which Certifications Your Resume Is Missing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I list expired certifications on my resume?

Only if the expiry is very recent (within 6 months) or if you plan to renew soon. List them as 'Expired: [Date]' if relevant. For most fields, expired certifications from several years ago should be removed.

Should I list online course certifications from Coursera or Udemy?

Only if highly relevant to your target role and the platform is recognized (Coursera from top universities, Udemy from a known instructor in your field). Consider placing these in a 'Professional Development' section rather than mixing them with industry certifications.

Can I list certifications I am planning to get?

No. Only list certifications you are actively enrolled in with a clear completion date within 3-6 months. Do not list aspirational certifications.

Should I mention certification exam dates on my resume?

No. Only include the date you obtained the certification (when it was awarded). Exam dates are not relevant to employers.

How do I handle certifications from organisations that no longer exist?

List the original issuing organisation name, as that was the body that certified you. If relevant, you can add context: 'Certified Professional (no longer issued).'

Should I include 'In Progress' on my resume for certifications I am pursuing?

Only if you are very close to completion and it is relevant to the role you are applying for. 'Expected Completion: June 2026' is fine. 'Planning to take the exam eventually' is not.