How to List Certifications and Courses on a Resume

You just spent 40 hours completing an advanced machine learning course on Coursera. Should it go on your resume?

The answer depends heavily on the industry standard for your role, and how the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) weighs external credentials.

The Golden Rule of Certifications

Quick Answer:

Only list certifications that require proctored, standardized exams (e.g., AWS, PMP, CPA, CompTIA). Avoid listing passive video courses (like a generic $10 Udemy course).

Recruiters know that anyone can let a 10-hour Udemy video play in the background to get a certificate of completion. However, passing the AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam proves rigorous, verifiable knowledge.

Include:

Official Cloud Certifications (AWS, GCP, Azure)
Professional Licenses (CPA, RN, PE)
Industry Standards (PMP, Scrum Master, CISSP)

Exclude:

Introductory bootcamps if you already have a CS degree.
Passive video courses (LinkedIn Learning, Udemy, Skillshare) unless they are highly specialized and directly relevant to a missing skill on your resume.

Where to Place Them

Quick Answer:

Create a dedicated "Certifications" section at the bottom of your resume. If a certification is explicitly required in the job description (like a Nursing License), place it at the very top.

For ATS parsing, standard section headers are mandatory. Use a header titled exactly "Certifications." Do not use "Additional Education" or "Professional Development," as some legacy parsers will fail to map the data correctly.

For each entry, list:

The Certification Name
The Issuing Organization
The Date (or Year) acquired

Example: AWS Certified Developer - Associate | Amazon Web Services (2024)

Our free builder, ResuPress, features a dedicated Certifications block that ensures your credentials are mathematically aligned and perfectly encoded for ATS extraction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do certifications expire on a resume?
A: If your certification has officially expired (like a CPR certification or an older AWS cert), you must denote it, or remove it entirely. Claiming an active certification when it is expired is grounds for immediate disqualification during a background check.

Q: Should I include the certification ID number?
A: It is not necessary on the resume itself. Save the ID number for the background check portal or provide it if directly asked by the recruiter.