How to List Certifications on Resume: Complete Guide + 50+ Examples (2025)
99.7% of recruiters use filters to search for certifications—and 50.6% specifically filter candidates by certs. Here's exactly how to list them so you don't get filtered out.
⚡ Quick Answer:
Where to put certifications:
- • Highly relevant cert? → Resume headline + dedicated section
- • Moderately relevant? → Dedicated "Certifications" section
- • Barely relevant? → Leave it off entirely
Why Certifications Matter (More Than You Think)
📊 The Data:
- • 99.7% of recruiters use keyword/certification filters in ATS
- • 50.6% specifically filter candidates by certifications
- • Certified candidates are 3x more likely to get interviews
- • Relevant certs can increase salary offers by 15-20%
But here's the catch: listing too many certifications hurts more than it helps. Recruiters care about relevance, not quantity.
Where to Put Certifications on Your Resume
The placement depends on how relevant the certification is to the job:
Option 1: In Your Resume Headline (Highly Relevant Only)
If the certification is required or highly valued for the role, put it front and center.
Example (Cloud Engineer):
John Smith, AWS Certified Solutions Architect
Senior Cloud Engineer | 8 Years Experience | Python, Terraform, Kubernetes
✅ When to use: Job posting specifically requires the cert, or it's the industry standard (e.g., PMP for project managers, CPA for accountants)
Option 2: Dedicated "Certifications" Section (Recommended)
Create a separate section titled "Certifications" or "Professional Certifications."
Example:
Certifications • AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional | Amazon Web Services | 2023 • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) | Cloud Native Computing Foundation | 2022 • Terraform Associate | HashiCorp | 2024
✅ When to use: You have 2+ relevant certifications, or the cert is important but not THE key requirement
Option 3: Within Education Section
Group with your education if you have limited space or fewer certifications.
Example:
Education & Certifications Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | MIT | 2018 AWS Certified Developer - Associate | 2023 Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer | 2022
✅ When to use: You have 1-2 certs and limited resume space
Option 4: Within Relevant Work Experience
Mention cert-related work under the job where you used it.
Example:
Cloud Engineer | Tech Corp | 2022 - Present • Achieved AWS Solutions Architect - Professional certification (2023) • Migrated 50+ services to AWS using certified best practices • Reduced infrastructure costs by 40% through AWS optimization
✅ When to use: The certification was earned while working there, or it's directly tied to achievements
How to Format Certifications (ATS-Friendly)
ATS systems look for specific information. Include all of these elements:
Standard Format:
[Certification Name] | [Issuing Organization] | [Year Obtained]
✅ Good Examples:
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA | 2022
• Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI | 2023
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate | Amazon Web Services | 2024
❌ Bad Examples:
• CPA (missing organization and date)
• PMP Certification (redundant word "Certification")
• AWS Solutions Architect (missing "Certified" keyword ATS searches for)
Optional: Add Credential ID or Expiration Date
For high-value certifications, you can add verification details:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional Amazon Web Services | Issued: March 2023 | Expires: March 2026 Credential ID: AWS-ASA-12345
Which Certifications to Include (and Which to Skip)
⚠️ The Overlap Rule:
Listing too many certifications makes you look unfocused. Quality > Quantity.
Guideline: Include 3-5 most relevant certifications. Skip the rest.
✅ Always Include:
- Industry-required certifications (CPA for accounting, PMP for PM, RN for nursing)
- Job posting keywords (if they mention "AWS certification," include it)
- Recent certifications (within last 3 years shows you're staying current)
- Advanced-level certs (Professional > Associate > Practitioner)
- Vendor-specific certs if that vendor is mentioned in job description
❌ Skip These:
- Expired certifications (unless you're actively renewing)
- Outdated technologies (Flash development, Windows XP, etc.)
- Basic/entry-level certs if you have advanced ones (skip "AWS Practitioner" if you have "AWS Solutions Architect")
- Completely irrelevant certs (CPR certification on a software engineer resume)
- Online course completion certificates (Udemy, Coursera unless from recognized universities)
50+ Certification Examples by Industry
💻 Technology & IT
Cloud Computing:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate/Professional)
- Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Development & DevOps:
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Docker Certified Associate
Security:
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- CompTIA Security+
Data & Analytics:
- Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
- Databricks Certified Data Engineer
- Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
📊 Project Management & Business
- Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | Scrum Alliance
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) | IIBA
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt
- PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
💰 Finance & Accounting
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | AICPA
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | CFA Institute
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | CFP Board
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) | GARP
- Enrolled Agent (EA) | IRS
⚕️ Healthcare
- Registered Nurse (RN) | State Board of Nursing
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
🎨 Marketing & Sales
- Google Analytics Certification
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
- Facebook Blueprint Certification
- Google Ads Certification
- Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) | AMA
🏗️ Engineering & Manufacturing
- Professional Engineer (PE) | State Licensing Board
- Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) | SME
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) | ASQ
- AutoCAD Certified Professional
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
👥 Human Resources
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | HRCI
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
- SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
- SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
- Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)
Special Cases: How to List...
In-Progress Certifications
If you're currently studying for a cert, you can list it with expected completion date:
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (In Progress, Expected: June 2025)
Expired Certifications
Option 1: Don't list them (recommended)
Option 2: If highly relevant, list with expiration note:
• PMP (Expired 2023, actively renewing)
Multiple Certifications from Same Provider
Group them together for easier reading:
Online Course Certificates (Coursera, Udemy, etc.)
Only include if:
- From a recognized university (Stanford, MIT on Coursera)
- Directly relevant to the job
- You have limited other certifications
Format: List under "Professional Development" instead of "Certifications"
State-Specific Licenses
Include the state abbreviation:
• Registered Nurse (RN) | California Board of Nursing | License #RN123456 | 2020
ATS Optimization Tips for Certifications
How ATS Scans for Certifications:
1. Use the Full Official Name
✅ Project Management Professional (PMP)
❌ PMP
ATS searches for both the acronym AND full name. Include both.
2. Match Job Posting Language
If the job says "AWS Solutions Architect", use that exact phrase—not "Amazon Cloud Architect."
3. Spell Out Acronyms
✅ Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
❌ CPA
Some ATS only match the full name.
4. Include the Issuing Organization
This helps ATS verify legitimacy and matches more search patterns.
5. Use a Clear Section Heading
Best section titles for ATS:
- "Certifications" (most common)
- "Professional Certifications"
- "Licenses & Certifications"
Avoid creative titles like "Credentials" or "Achievements" — ATS may not recognize them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake #1: Listing Every Certification You Have
Problem: Makes you look unfocused. Recruiters wonder if you're a "certification collector" without real experience.
Fix: Only include 3-5 most relevant certifications for THIS specific job.
❌ Mistake #2: Forgetting to Update Expiration Dates
Problem: Listing expired certifications as current is dishonest. Recruiters verify credentials.
Fix: Remove expired certs or note they're expired and being renewed.
❌ Mistake #3: Using Unofficial Cert Names
Problem: Writing "Google Cloud Expert" instead of the official "Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect" won't match ATS searches.
Fix: Copy the exact official name from your certification email/website.
❌ Mistake #4: Putting Certifications at the Bottom
Problem: If a cert is required for the job and buried at the bottom, recruiters may miss it.
Fix: Put highly relevant certs in your headline or near the top of your resume.
❌ Mistake #5: Listing Boot Camp "Certificates"
Problem: Completion certificates from Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, etc., aren't recognized industry certifications.
Fix: List these under "Professional Development" or "Continuing Education," not "Certifications."
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I list certifications on my resume or LinkedIn?
Both. LinkedIn should list ALL your certifications (it helps with searchability). Your resume should only list the 3-5 most relevant to the specific job you're applying for.
Do I need to include the date I got certified?
Yes, especially if the cert is recent (shows you're staying current). You can omit dates for older certs if they don't expire.
What if my certification is expired?
Don't list it unless you're actively renewing. If renewing, note: "PMP (Expired 2023, renewal in progress)."
Can I list certifications I'm currently studying for?
Yes, but be clear: "AWS Solutions Architect - Professional (In Progress, Expected: March 2025)." Never claim to have a cert you don't have yet.
Should I include the credential ID number?
Optional. It's helpful for high-value certs (like AWS, PMP, CPA) because it allows employers to verify. But it's not required.
How many certifications is too many?
More than 5 on your resume starts to look excessive unless you're in a highly specialized field. Put the rest on LinkedIn.
Make Sure Your Certifications Get Noticed
Use SkillStory to optimize your resume for ATS and ensure your certifications are formatted correctly for maximum visibility.