Where to find the certification section on LinkedIn

LinkedIn stores certifications in a dedicated section on your profile, separate from your work history and education. To reach it, open your profile and scroll down past your headline, about section, and experience. The certifications section appears below your skills and endorsements, though the exact position varies depending on what else you have listed.

If you have not added any certifications yet, you will see an empty section with a plus icon or an "Add certification" button. Click that button to start. If you already have certifications listed, the same plus icon lets you add more without removing what is there.

Key Takeaways

  • LinkedIn's certification section is found by scrolling your profile below experience and education, and you add entries using the plus icon next to the section heading.
  • You will need the certification name, the issuing organization, the issue date, and optionally the expiration date and credential ID or URL to complete the entry.
  • LinkedIn can auto-fill some certification details if you search for a recognized program, but you can also enter custom certifications that are not in their database.
  • Credentials with expiration dates show a countdown on your profile, and you can set LinkedIn to notify you before they expire.
  • Adding a URL or credential ID to your certification lets viewers verify it directly without contacting you.

The step-by-step process for adding a certification

Start by clicking the plus icon in the certifications section. A form will appear asking for the certification name. Type the name of your credential — for example, "AWS Certified Solutions Architect" or "CompTIA Security+". As you type, LinkedIn will suggest matching certifications from its database. If your certification appears in the suggestions, click it to select it. LinkedIn will then auto-fill the issuing organization and sometimes other details, saving you typing.

If your certification does not appear in the suggestions, you can still add it. Keep typing the full name and press Enter or click outside the field. LinkedIn will accept it as a custom entry. Next, you will enter the issuing organization — the company or body that granted the credential. For cloud certifications, this is usually Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google Cloud, or CompTIA. Then add the issue date, which is when you earned or received the certification.

The expiration date is optional but recommended if your certification has one. Many cloud certifications expire after two or three years, and adding the date helps your profile stay current. Finally, add the credential ID or URL if you have one. This is the unique number or link that proves you hold the certification. Including this information makes your credential more trustworthy because viewers can verify it without asking you.

How to find your credential ID and verification URL

Most certification bodies issue a credential ID when you pass the exam. This is a unique number or code printed on your certificate or available in your account dashboard. For AWS certifications, log into your AWS Certification Account and look for your certificate under "My Certifications" — the credential ID appears on the certificate itself. For Microsoft certifications, visit the Microsoft Learn dashboard and find your badge; the URL to your public badge is your verification link. For CompTIA certifications, log into your CompTIA account and download your certificate; the credential ID is listed there.

If you cannot find your credential ID, check the email confirmation you received when you passed the exam. Many certification bodies send this in the initial notification. You can also contact the issuing organization directly — they can provide the ID or a public URL where your credential can be verified. LinkedIn does not require this information to add the certification, but including it strengthens your profile because it proves the credential is real.

What happens after you add a certification

Once you save the certification, it appears on your profile immediately. If you added an expiration date, LinkedIn will display a countdown showing how much time remains before the credential expires. You can set up notifications in your LinkedIn settings so that LinkedIn reminds you before the expiration date arrives — this is useful for certifications that require renewal or recertification.

Your new certification also appears in the activity feed of your connections, letting them know you have earned it. This can lead to endorsements or messages from people in your network who work with that technology. If you included a credential URL or ID, viewers can click it to verify the certification independently, which increases the credibility of your profile.

Editing or removing a certification

To change a certification after you have added it, hover over the certification entry on your profile and click the pencil icon that appears. You can update any field — the name, organization, dates, credential ID, or URL. Make these changes if you discover a typo, if your certification was renewed with a new ID, or if you need to correct the issue date.

To remove a certification entirely, click the pencil icon and then select the delete or remove option. This is useful if you listed a certification by mistake or if it has expired and you no longer want it visible. Removing a certification does not affect your other profile information.

Tips for making your certifications stand out

Always include the credential URL or ID if the issuing organization provides one. This single step makes your certification verifiable and more valuable to recruiters and hiring managers. A certification with a working verification link is far more credible than one without.

Keep your certification dates current. If a certification has expired, either remove it or add the new one if you have renewed it. Expired credentials on your profile can raise questions about whether you are still current with the technology. For cloud certifications that require recertification, update your profile as soon as you renew so your profile reflects your actual status.

Add certifications in the order that matters most to your career goals. LinkedIn does not rank them by importance, but you can reorder them by dragging and dropping. Put your most relevant or recent certifications at the top so they appear first when someone views your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a certification that is not in LinkedIn's database?

Yes. If your certification does not appear in LinkedIn's suggestions, you can type the full name and add it as a custom entry. LinkedIn will accept any certification name you enter. However, including a credential URL or ID is especially important for custom certifications because viewers have no way to verify them otherwise.

What if I do not have a credential ID or URL?

You can still add the certification without one. LinkedIn only requires the certification name and issuing organization. However, adding a credential ID or URL makes your certification more credible and verifiable. If your certification body does not provide either, consider requesting one or asking if they have a public registry where your credential can be looked up.

Will LinkedIn notify my connections when I add a certification?

Yes, new certifications appear in your connections' activity feeds. This can be useful for visibility, but if you prefer privacy, you can adjust your activity broadcast settings in LinkedIn's privacy controls to limit what appears in others' feeds.

Can I add a certification I am currently working toward?

LinkedIn's certification section is designed for credentials you have already earned, not ones you are studying for. If you want to show that you are pursuing a certification, mention it in your about section or in a post instead. Once you pass the exam and receive the credential, add it to the certifications section.

How do I update a certification if I renew it?

Click the pencil icon next to the certification and update the issue date and expiration date to reflect the renewal. If the issuing organization issued a new credential ID, update that as well. You can also add the renewed certification as a separate entry if you want to show both the original and renewed versions on your profile.