How to List Certifications on a Resume
Last updated:
Certifications are some of the highest-value lines on a resume: they are objective, verifiable proof of a skill, and recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) actively search for them by name. A "PMP" or "RN" or "AWS Certified" line can be the difference between landing in the interview pile and the reject pile. But where you put them, how you format them, and which ones you include all change how much that proof actually helps you.
This guide covers the four decisions that matter: where certifications go on the page, the exact format for each entry, how to handle the tricky cases (in-progress, expired, and license-critical credentials), and which certifications to leave off. There are copyable templates and real examples by field at the end.
Where to put certifications on a resume
For most jobs, certifications belong in their own clearly labeled "Certifications" or "Licenses & Certifications" section placed below your work experience and education. This keeps the resume scannable: experience earns the interview, and the certifications section backs it up with credentials a recruiter can verify.
There is one important exception. When a certification or license is a hard requirement to do the job — a Registered Nurse license, a CPA, a Commercial Driver's License, a Professional Engineer (PE) license, a state electrician license — it should appear at the top, in your name line, professional title, or summary. Recruiters screening for these roles scan for the credential in the first few seconds, and burying a required license at the bottom can get you filtered out before anyone reads your experience.
When to add certifications to the header or summary
- The job legally requires it — nurse (RN/LPN), CPA, attorney (bar admission), CDL driver, licensed electrician — put it next to your name.
- The certification IS the qualification — for a "PMP-certified Project Manager" or "AWS Solutions Architect" role, lead with it.
- You are early-career — if a relevant certification is stronger than your thin work history, move it up so it gets seen.
How to format a certification entry
Every certification entry should contain the same elements in the same order so the section reads cleanly and an ATS can parse it: the full certification name (spell it out, then the acronym), the issuing organization, and the date you earned it. Add the expiration date when the credential expires, and optionally a credential or license ID for licenses that are publicly verified.
Copyable format
Certification Name (Acronym) — Issuing Organization Earned Month Year · Expires Month Year · ID 0000000 Examples: Project Management Professional (PMP) — Project Management Institute, 2024 AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate — Amazon Web Services, 2025 (expires 2028) Registered Nurse (RN), License #RN1234567 — California Board of Registered Nursing, 2023 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Texas State Board of Accountancy, 2022
Spell out the acronym at least once
Write the full name with the acronym in parentheses, like "Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)." A human recruiter may search for "CISSP" while an ATS may be configured for the full phrase — including both guarantees you match either way. This is one of the simplest ATS-keyword wins on a resume.
In-progress, expired, and renewing certifications
These three cases trip people up the most, so handle them explicitly rather than guessing.
- In progress — list it and add "In progress — expected [Month Year]" or "Candidate." Studying for a relevant cert shows initiative and signals you will be qualified soon. Do not imply you already hold it.
- Expired but still relevant — if the skill still matters, you can list it as "Expired [Year]" or note "renewal in progress." If it is no longer relevant, leave it off entirely.
- Active with an expiration — always include the expiration date for credentials that expire (BLS/CPR, PMP, most cloud and security certs). It tells the employer the credential is current and that you maintain it.
- Renewing / continuing education — you do not need to list CEU hours, but keeping the "expires" date current signals the credential is in good standing.
Which certifications to include (and which to skip)
The guiding rule is relevance. A certifications section should make you look more qualified for this specific job, not list every certificate you have ever earned. Recruiters spend seconds per resume; a wall of unrelated certificates buries the one that actually matters.
Include
- Industry-recognized credentials relevant to the target role (PMP, CPA, CISSP, AWS, RN, Google/HubSpot certifications in marketing).
- Required licenses for the role or industry.
- Certifications that mirror keywords in the job description — these double as ATS keywords.
- Recent, reputable credentials that show current, in-demand skills.
Skip
- Expired certifications for skills you no longer use.
- Generic or trivial certificates (a one-hour webinar completion, an unrecognized "course certificate").
- Credentials unrelated to the job — they add clutter and dilute the relevant ones.
- Anything you cannot back up if asked about it in an interview.
Certification examples by field
Here are recognized certifications by field, formatted the way they should appear on a resume. Match the ones that fit your target job and mirror the exact phrasing the job description uses.
| Field | Recognized certifications | Issuing body |
|---|---|---|
| IT / Cloud | AWS Certified Solutions Architect, CompTIA A+/Security+, Cisco CCNA | AWS, CompTIA, Cisco |
| Cybersecurity | CISSP, CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | (ISC)², CompTIA, EC-Council |
| Project management | PMP, CAPM, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | PMI, Scrum Alliance |
| Healthcare | RN, BLS/ACLS, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | State boards, AHA, Red Cross |
| Finance / accounting | CPA, CFA, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | State boards, CFA Institute |
| Marketing | Google Ads / Analytics, HubSpot Inbound, Meta Blueprint | Google, HubSpot, Meta |
| Skilled trades | Licensed Electrician, AWS Certified Welder, OSHA 30 | State boards, AWS, OSHA |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing certifications with no issuing organization or date — recruiters cannot verify them and ATS parsing suffers.
- Burying a required license at the bottom when the role screens for it up top.
- Padding the section with irrelevant or expired certificates that clutter the page.
- Using only an acronym the ATS may not recognize — always spell it out once.
- Listing an in-progress cert as if it were already earned.
Put your certifications in the right place automatically
Resumly's AI resume builder places your certifications, licenses, and skills where recruiters and ATS expect them — then runs a free ATS check and tailors the whole resume to each job. Free to start, no credit card.
Build my resume freeFree forever plan · No credit card required
Frequently asked questions
Where do you put certifications on a resume?
For most jobs, put certifications in a dedicated "Certifications" section below your work experience and education. If a license or certification is required to do the job — nurse, CPA, CDL driver, licensed electrician — put it at the top in your header, title, or summary, because recruiters screen for required credentials in the first few seconds.
How do you format a certification on a resume?
List the full certification name with its acronym, the issuing organization, and the date earned, for example "Project Management Professional (PMP) — Project Management Institute, 2024." Add the expiration date if the credential expires, and a license ID for publicly verified licenses. Spell out the acronym at least once so both recruiters and ATS can match it.
Should you list certifications that are in progress?
Yes. List an in-progress certification and add "In progress — expected [Month Year]" or "Candidate." It shows initiative and signals you will soon be qualified. Just do not phrase it as though you already hold the credential.
Should you include expired certifications?
Only if the skill is still relevant and you note that it is expired or being renewed. If the certification is outdated or unrelated to the job, leave it off — expired, irrelevant certificates add clutter and can make a resume look out of date.
Do certifications help with applicant tracking systems (ATS)?
Yes. Many job descriptions name required or preferred certifications, and ATS often search for them by name. Listing the exact certification (with both the full name and acronym) that appears in the job description is one of the most reliable ways to match ATS keywords and rank higher in the screen.
How many certifications should you list on a resume?
There is no fixed number — list every certification that is current and relevant to the target job, and leave off the rest. Quality and relevance matter far more than quantity; three on-target certifications beat ten unrelated ones.
