Highlight your relevant skills alongside certifications to strengthen your resume. Relevant licenses and certifications lend a sturdy sense of credibility to your resume. They’re like a professional reference or recommendation letter, but they signal support from an entire official group rather than one person you know. Much like a third-party audit, certifications prove you have achieved a level of designated standards and attained specific skills.

When certifications you’ve earned align with the job description, your resume will gain attention from hiring managers. Highlighting relevant certifications, including online certifications, can make your resume more appealing to recruiters. Also, in the absence of an extensive work history or advanced degree in your field, licenses, and certifications can be a primary selling point for your candidacy. Certifications also demonstrate your commitment to upskilling and forwarding your career.

The best way to include these types of credentials on your resume will primarily depend on your job search goals. Keep your goals firmly in mind as you look over the following guidelines, and you’ll gain a clear sense of how you can make relevant credentials an asset on your resume. Relevant licenses and certifications lend a sturdy sense of credibility to your resume. To create a strong document, check out this guide on how to make a resume.

Which Licenses and Certifications To Include on Your Resume

Including relevant certifications that align with the job description  in your resume summary is a powerful way to stand out and demonstrate that you have relevant skills for the role.

Typically, compatible credentials will include your most recently obtained ones and those that demonstrate specific skills and experiences listed in the job description. It’s important to list certifications relevant to your target job to capture the attention of hiring managers. Avoid including expired certifications or ones you are still pursuing but have not yet earned.

Also, leave certifications for side hustles like bartending off of a resume if you’re going after a completely different role, such as a controller at a manufacturing company. Filter certifications and only include those that a hiring manager would consider valuable for the role.

An organizational tip: Consider keeping a master document of every license and certification you’ve earned in your career. Then, for each resume you draft going forward, you can refer to this list and copy only those credentials that speak to your target job.

How To Put Certifications on Your Resume

Knowing where to list certifications on your resume can significantly enhance its impact and highlight relevant skills. The placement of certifications on your resume depends on their relevance and industry norms.

Credentials are often listed at the bottom of a traditional resume as seen in these resume outline examples. However, including certifications in your profile summary is a powerful way to stand out, as demonstrated in these resume summary examples.

Ultimately, where you place credentials on your resume depends on your industry, the type of certification, the position you’re applying for, the required skills, and the overall prestige of the certification. For roles requiring leadership, certifications in project management are particularly valuable.

Here are examples that demonstrate how to highlight certifications on your resume effectively. You have five options when deciding where to put certifications on a resume:

  1. After your name in your contact header
  2. At the beginning of your profile description
  3. At the end of your profile description
  4. Within your education section
  5. As its own, dedicated certification section

Following is guidance on how to list certifications on your resume and where is best to place them in different circumstances.

1. After your name in your contact header, like this:

Aliya Jackson, Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

Only include the license or certification after your name if it’s immediately recognizable to your target audience and central to your overall candidacy.

2. At the beginning of your profile description

Many job seekers include a descriptor as the first word of their profile or resume summary, like this:

Results-driven HR leader with over 10 years of experience

If you have credentials that are key to your job goal, consider using certified as your descriptor. This type of descriptor is generally stronger than a regular adjective like results-driven or detail-oriented because it’s factual rather than subjective. For the same reason, another strong descriptor is award-winning.

3. At the end of your profile description

Noting relevant certifications on a resume is a great way to close out your summary, especially if you hold a hard-won certification that clearly demonstrates achieving a higher level of expertise in your field. Assuming the hiring manager will recognize it, you don’t need to provide more than the title and acronym. Here’s an example:

An HR professional with over 10 years of experience specializing in diversity recruiting, HR management, process improvement, and applicant screening. A strong history of identifying opportunities to enhance HR operations through professional certifications and strategic planning. Adept at supporting recruitment initiatives to acquire talent and facilitate organizational growth. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

4. Within your education section

Only combine your education and certification details in one section if they are equally relevant to the target job. This approach streamlines all field-related training into a section that is easy for hiring managers to scan. If you do combine your certification and education sections, update the section header accordingly to include online certifications, if applicable. A few concise options are Education and Professional Development, Education and Credentials, or simply Credentials. Here’s an example:

Education

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Medical Assistance
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL September 2013 – May 2015

Certifications

  • Certified Medical Assistant | American Association of Medical Assistants | June 2015
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) | February 2015

5. As its own section

If your licenses and relevant certifications are markedly different from your education, position them as a separate section with a dedicated header. Then order all your resume sections from most to least relevant. On a traditional resume, the certifications section will likely appear below the experience and education sections but above the more ancillary sections like training or technical skills. You can deviate from this norm depending on which categories of your experience best align with the job description and speak to your career goals. Here’s an example:

Certifications

Society of Human Resource Managers Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) | SHRM | April 2022

Certifications on a Resume

Consider emphasizing relevant certifications like PMP if you’re targeting project management roles. Here are some examples of how to properly list certifications within a medical assistant resume.

  • Medical Assistant Resume With Certifications
  • Science Resume Example with Certifications
  • Human Resources Resume with Certifications

Cameron Malfara | (123) 456-0707 | [email protected] | LinkedIn | Portfolio

Profile

Certified medical assistant with over eight years of experience as a clinician and administrative support staff member. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality care to diverse patient populations, including both geriatric and pediatric patients. Extensive knowledge of electronic health records (EHR) and scheduling software.

Professional Experience

Medical Assistant

St. Mark’s Medical Center | Miami, FL | July 2017 – present

  • Deliver clinical and administrative support to registered nurses (RNs) and physicians, obtain patient medical history and documentation, and communicate with empathy and compassion, contributing to a 95% patient satisfaction rating
  • Maintained exam rooms in accordance with OSHA standards for health and safety, sanitized exam instruments, and ensured compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols
  • Collected lab samples of blood and urine and submitted labeled samples for testing

Medical Assistant

West Bay Medical Group | Miami, FL | May 2015 – July 2017

  • Scheduled over 50 patient appointments per day, managed cancellations, performed data entry, and oversaw calendars for a busy medical office with 20 nurses and 10 physicians
  • Managed patient appointments and scheduling for a physician’s office with over 5,000 active patients, which included maintaining electronic medical records
  • Oversaw basic billing and coding tasks for standard office procedures, streamlined billing processes, and reduced turnaround on payments by an average of six days
Key Skills
  • Patient management
  • Office administration
  • Process improvement
  • Medical support
  • Phlebotomy
Education

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Medical Assistance
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL September 2013 – May 2015

Certifications
  • Certified Medical Assistant | American Association of Medical Assistants | June 2015
  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) | National Phlebotomy Association (NPA) | February 2015

Yaling Zhang | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | LinkedIn | Portfolio

Profile

Seasoned clinical laboratory scientist with 12 years of experience analyzing specimens and developing procedures in health care settings. Assertive, supportive leadership style with a talent for strategic planning and execution. Clear communicator and proven track record for interdepartmental collaboration.

Key Skills

  • Complex solution-finding
  • Data gathering and analysis
  • Research and development
  • Strategic planning and execution
  • Experiment documentation

Professional Experience 

Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist 

Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Bozeman, MT | October 2015 – present

  • Calibrate laboratory instruments and manage complex lab problems, solving 89% within three hours
  • Collaborate to develop procedures and protocols, receiving a workplace award for teamwork in 2019
  • Onboard new hires and deliver employee education sessions, improving staff retention by 35% over three years
  • Oversee lab procedures and interpret results
  • Identified and resolved 98% of anomalies in 2020

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Bozeman Health, Bozeman, MT | July 2010 to October 2015

  • Maintain accurate inventories of equipment and supplies; place replenishment orders, improving availability by 85% in 2011
  • Identified 99.9% of clinically significant findings in blood and urine samples
  • Direct and mentor student lab assistants, training up to seven students per year
  • Monitor a team of 10 assistants, set daily and weekly objectives that improved productivity by 45% over four years

Education 

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Biochemistry

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | June 2008

Master of Science (M.S.) Biochemistry

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | May 2010

Certifications 

Lab Technician Certification | American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) | May 2010

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) | The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences | July 2009

Joseph Corbin | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | LinkedIn | Portfolio

Profile

Results-driven and SHRM-certified HR professional with experience in employee relations, recruiting strategies, and employee benefits. Adept at fostering a positive work culture and facilitating talent development.

Key Skills

  • Employee engagement
  • Employee relations
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Onboarding and offboarding
  • Wellness programs

Professional Experience

Human Resources Associate

Apex Alliance | Philadelphia, PA | July 2021 – present

  • Develop, implement, and enforce HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations
  • Help manage all aspects of recruitment, hiring, and onboarding across multiple offices
  • Resolved 18 employee relations issues in 2023
  • Oversee and recommend changes to employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and leave policies
  • Achieved a 20% reduction in time-to-hire by implementing streamlined recruitment processes

Education

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Human Resources | June 2021
Temple University | Philadelphia, PA

Certifications

Society of Human Resource Managers Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) | SHRM | April 2022

How To Include Credential Details With Certifications on Resume

When including credentials on your resume, be sure to add pertinent details so you don’t leave hiring managers guessing. Professional certifications that showcase relevant skills will resonate with hiring managers. Include industry-recognized certifications, such as those in project management, to strengthen your profile.

Ensure that your resume highlights relevant certifications for maximum impact. If you think an HR manager who reviews your resume will question a certifying association or governing body, do not include the certification as it is likely not relevant to the position or aligned with the job description.

The details you must include for each credential include:

  • The title you earned
  • The organization from which you acquired the certification
  • The month and date you completed and earned the certification

In most cases, you don’t need to give the location but include the month and date when you earned the certification.

In general, you don’t need to include specific license or certification numbers unless the job posting or prospect requests them.

If a certification isn’t widely known but is highly relevant to the work you’re now pursuing, consider adding a brief description of the work you did to obtain it.

How To Format Your License and Certification Details

Copy the format of your resume’s education section as much as possible to maintain consistency. Format your license and professional certification details by listing the name of the credential and its acronym (if applicable), followed by the awarding association, governing body, or state. Then, include the month and year you completed the certification. Opt for vertical bars to separate each section rather than commas for a cleaner appearance that is easier for hiring managers to read. Always follow a consistent structure when you list certifications to maintain readability. Consistency is key when adding certifications on your resume to ensure clarity. Explore these best resume formats for additional inspiration.

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) | May 2020

How To Order Multiple Licenses and Certifications

If you have earned multiple licenses and certifications that position you as an attractive candidate for the position you’re seeking, include them all in an organized manner so hiring managers can easily digest the information. We always recommend including the date you earned each credential because this detail adds credibility. Otherwise, a recruiter is left in the dark as to whether you received a certification 10 years ago or last month. Place certifications in project management prominently if relevant to your target job.

Prioritize certifications that speak to your most relevant skills. Order your relevant certifications and licenses in reverse-chronological order like the jobs in your experience section. If you’re leaving dates out (which we do not recommend), you can put them in order of relevance to your target job. However, it’s better to add all certification completion dates and leave out certifications that are not highly relevant to the position you are seeking.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To List Certifications on a Resume

How do I put certifications on my resume?-

Tailor your certifications to align with the relevant skills for your target job. When you list certifications, be sure to include the full name, issuing organization, and date awarded. Spell out acronyms and include the abbreviation in parentheses like this: Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM). Even if you know the potential employer is familiar with the acronym, the best practice is to spell it out on first reference. If you earned several credentials from the same organization, just spell out the acronym once.

Next, name the issuing organization, governing body, or state. Finally, add the month and date when you were awarded the certification.

Follow this example:

Name of Certification (NOC) | Awarding Association Name (AAN) | Month Year

Are certifications worth putting on your resume?+

Including certifications on your resume shows a commitment to professional growth. Only include relevant certifications that directly support your target role. Include certifications on your resume to demonstrate your commitment to continuing education and advancing your career. Certifications are worth including on your resume because they pinpoint areas of expertise that can make your resume stand out from other candidates applying for the position, especially when a certification aligns with key skills or experiences listed in the job description. Certifications in fields like project management highlight your ability to lead and deliver results.

Should you list all certifications on a resume?+

List certifications on your resume when the qualifications align with the job description and career track you are pursuing. Relevant certifications can position you as a valuable candidate and capture the attention of hiring managers. Properly listing certifications on your resume enhances credibility and positions you as a qualified candidate.

On the other hand, leave out certifications you might have earned in a previous career that do not prove your skills or experience. For example, say you were a hairdresser with a cosmetology license but have not worked in this field for several years since completing a bachelor’s degree in business. You would focus on business-related certifications that market you as an attractive prospect.

Where should you position the certifications section on a resume?+

Generally, the certification section of your resume is placed at the bottom of your resume, following your contact information, profile, professional experience, key skills, and education sections. If certifications in your industry are just as important as the education you attained, you can create a section combining these qualifications and give it a subhead such as “Education and Certifications.” For especially prestigious certifications or those that will clearly position you ahead of other candidates competing for the position, consider noting the certification in your resume summary. Explore these best resume formats for additional inspiration.

Should I include a certification on my resume that is a work in progress?+

If you are working toward a certification that aligns with the job you’re seeking and will position you as an attractive, motivated candidate committed to continuing education, include the certification. Just note that it is in progress or list the expected date when you will receive the certification. Because the work-in-progress certification will be the most recent, list it first as you arrange certifications and licenses in reverse chronological order.

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