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Resume guides

How to list certifications on a resume

Certification name, issuer, date and status — plus when a certification is worth the space and when it is not.

Certifications earn their place when the posting asks for them, when they open a gate (registration, security clearance, audit), or when they prove a skill your experience does not show yet.

Format

  • Name exactly as awarded — abbreviations recruiters search for
  • Issuing body
  • Date awarded, and expiry if the credential renews
  • Credential ID or URL when it is verifiable
  • Status: earned, in progress, or expired

In progress

Include it and say so: "AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate (expected March 2026)." Hiding the status invites an awkward question; stating it shows direction.

When to drop one

Basic qualifications your degree already implies, certifications older than a decade with no currency, and anything you would not want asked about in an interview.