How to List Certifications on a Resume: 2026 Guide + Examples

Listing certifications on a resume isn't just about formatting. It's about strategic placement that catches a hiring manager's eye. For example, two candidates with identical work experience apply for the same job. One gets called for an interview—the other doesn't. The difference is that one properly showcases their certifications while the other buries them at the bottom of their resume.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every aspect of certification listing—from choosing the right placement to formatting for both human readers and applicant tracking systems. Also, we’ll show you a few real-world examples to inspire your own resume writing.

What Are Certifications?

Certifications are standardized credentials issued by recognized organizations, associations, or industry bodies that verify you've met specific competency requirements. Basically, they are a third-party validation of your expertise.

While anyone can claim they're good at project management or cybersecurity on their resume, a PMP or CISSP certification proves you've actually passed rigorous testing and met industry-established standards.

However, it’s important to differentiate between certifications, licenses, and degrees. Take a look at the table below:

Professional associations usually issue certifications, such as:

• Project Management Institute
• Industry bodies (e.g., CompTIA for IT professionals)
• Government agencies (e.g,. state boards for accountants)

The more recognized and respected the issuing organization, the more value the certification carries.

Why List Certifications on Your Resume

Listing certifications on your resume isn't just about filling space or looking more qualified on paper. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that workers who hold a certification or license are more likely to participate in the labor force and face lower unemployment rates than those without these credentials.

That said, here are concrete, strategic reasons why highlighting these credentials matters:

• Meeting job requirements. You can't work as a registered nurse without an RN license, practice law without bar admission, or handle certain financial accounts without the appropriate securities licenses. Therefore, when a job description lists certifications under "Required Qualifications," not including them on your resume means automatic disqualification.
• Demonstrating specialized expertise. Certifications prove you've completed advanced training beyond basic qualifications. They signal commitment to professional development and mastery of specific hard skills that employers care about.
• Compensating for limited experience. For career changers and entry-level candidates, certifications balance out lack of direct experience by proving relevant knowledge and skills. Recent graduates face similar challenges. When everyone in the applicant pool has similar degrees and minimal or no work experience, certifications make a difference.
• Standing out in competitive markets. With multiple qualified candidates applying for the same positions, certifications differentiate you from others with similar backgrounds. When a hiring manager faces fifty resumes from people with comparable experience, the candidates with relevant certifications automatically look more committed and more capable.

How to List Certifications on a Resume

Now that you know what certifications are and why they are important, let’s examine how to list them on a resume properly.

Where to List Certifications on Your Resume

Placement depends on their importance to the target role, your career level, and industry norms. Here's how to decide where to add certifications on your resume:

After Your Name

Place only for widely recognized, legally required, or industry-standard certifications, such as RN, CPA, PMP, or PE, in your resume header.

Format these credentials immediately after your name with a comma, e.g.:

This placement immediately signals qualification for regulated positions and helps your resume pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that specifically search for these designations.

Resume Summary/Objective

Weaving certifications into your resume summary creates an immediate impact by leading with your most relevant credentials. This works especially well when certifications are central to your professional identity.

Here’s how that might look on your resume:

Dedicated “Certifications” Section

This is the most common placement for most professionals. It implies a standalone section between your work experience and education that's specifically labeled for certifications.

Section naming is important for ATS. Consider less creative options, such as:

• Certifications
• Professional Certifications
• Licenses & Certifications
• Certifications & Credentials

Entry-level candidates or professionals in certification-heavy industries (healthcare, IT, finance) should consider placing this section higher on the resume, even above work experience. For a new nursing graduate, certifications like BLS, ACLS, and PALS matter as much as clinical rotations.

“Education” and “Work Experience” Sections

When you only have one or two certifications closely related to your educational credentials, combining them into a single "Education & Certifications" section makes sense. This keeps your resume clean and avoids creating a sparse standalone section.

However, sometimes the most powerful way to present certifications is by weaving them into your achievements that demonstrate practical application. For example:

This approach shows hiring managers you're not just collecting credentials—you're actually using them to drive results.

How to Format Certifications on Your Resume

Follow these five essential resume tips to ensure proper formatting of your certifications both for humans and applicant tracking systems:

#1. Use the Full Official Certification Name

List the complete title first, then add the commonly recognized acronym in parentheses. Don't assume everyone knows what "PMP" or "CISSP" stands for.

#2. Include Issuing Organization

Always list the certifying body after the certification name. This adds credibility and helps distinguish between similar-sounding certifications from different organizations.

Here’s a good example:

#3. Add Date Earned or Expiration Date

Include the month and year when you received the certification. Use consistent date formatting throughout your resume—if you write "June 2024" in your certifications section, don't switch to "06/2024" in your work experience.

For certifications requiring renewal, add the expiration date after the earned date. This shows hiring managers that your credentials are current and valid.

For example:

#4. Add Certification ID (When Required)

Some industries—healthcare, finance, legal, aviation—require license numbers for verification purposes. Include these when they're standard practice in your field.

Here’s a good example:

What Certifications to Include on Your Resume

Not every certification deserves space on your resume. The table below outlines which certifications to include on your resume:

What Certifications NOT to Include on Your Resume

Knowing what to exclude is just as important as knowing what to include. The following certification types typically don't belong on professional resumes:

• Expired certifications. Don't list expired credentials unless you're actively renewing them (in which case, add "Renewal in Progress"). Expired certifications raise questions about whether your knowledge is current and whether you take professional development seriously.
• Irrelevant certifications. Avoid listing certifications from completely different career fields unless they demonstrate genuinely transferable skills. Your CPR certification probably doesn't belong on your software engineer resume.
• Basic online courses. Certificates of completion from brief online courses or MOOCs typically don't belong on professional resumes unless they're highly relevant or from recognized institutions. A two-hour Udemy course doesn't carry the same weight as industry-standard certifications.
• Fabricated or unverifiable certifications. This should go without saying, but never list certifications you don't possess. Background checks verify credentials, and misrepresentation can result in job offer withdrawal, termination, or even legal consequences, depending on the field and the falsified certification.

How to Optimize Certifications for ATS: 5+ Expert Tips

Even the most impressive certifications won't help if applicant tracking systems can't identify them. Follow these ATS tips to ensure your credentials get properly recognized and credited.

6 Examples of Certifications on a Resume

Let’s take a look at a few resume examples for different positions to inspire your own resume writing and certification listing.

#1. Registered Nurse Resume Example

#2. Certified Public Accountant Resume Example

#3. Project Management Professional Resume Example

#4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Resume Example

#5. Human Resources Certified Professional Resume Example

#6. Licensed Professional Engineer Resume Example

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Certifications

Even experienced professionals make these resume mistakes that undermine their certifications' impact:

Simplify Certification Listing With ResumeBuilder.so

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Our AI-powered resume builder guides you through the entire process. It ensures you include certification names, issuing organizations, dates, and expiration information without accidentally omitting critical details.

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Final Thoughts

Knowing how to list certifications on a resume effectively makes the difference between showcasing valuable credentials and letting them go unnoticed. Proper placement ensures employers see your most relevant qualifications immediately.

Clean, consistent formatting demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail. On the other hand, ATS optimization guarantees your certifications actually get recognized by automated screening systems. The key lies in strategic selection—including certifications that genuinely strengthen your candidacy while leaving off credentials that add clutter without adding value.