Are free certifications valuable? YES! Free online certifications are a great way to learn new skills. They show employers you are committed to professional development.
Certifications let you add valuable keywords to your resume and LinkedIn profile. You can also multiply your chances of getting an interview by 2.9 times by including professional certifications.
“One benefit of earning free certifications is acquiring industry knowledge that you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile as keywords,” says job search expert Steph Cartwright. “You may not be able to demonstrate these areas as skills or expertise, but adding them as additional training or courses completed gets these keywords in front of recruiters.”
Free certifications are a top way to stand out from other candidates. The advantage they give you can be the deciding factor that leads to securing a job interview.
75+ free certifications that are actually free
The following courses are 100% free and so are the certifications you can earn. This list excludes free courses without certifications. It also excludes free courses that charge for certifications.
But, this list does include some LinkedIn Learning courses. LinkedIn Learning needs a subscription. But, you can get a free one-month trial. LinkedIn’s courses are short. So, a month is enough time to take a course, earn a certification, and then cancel your subscription.
You can also take free courses from platforms like Udemy and Coursera. They don’t offer free certifications. But, you can learn valuable skills to enhance your expertise.
Here is the list of free certification courses that can advance your career:
AWS certifications
Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing platform that many companies use. While AWS training is free, you do have to pay for the certification exams.
The free online course below will teach you the basics. It offers a free certificate upon completion.
Project management certifications
No matter what the industry, qualified project managers are always in demand.
Project managers must handle all aspects of a project, from budgeting to timelines. Without a project manager professional (PMP), it is very easy for a project to spiral out of control.
- PMP Basics (SkillUp) (9 hours)
- Project Management (Great Learning) (1.5 hours)
- Project Management (Saylor Academy) (62 hours)
- Fundamentals of Project Management (Philanthropy University)
- Project Managment (The Open University) (35 hours)
Google certifications
Google provides a variety of free courses and programs that come with certifications. These credentials are globally recognized and can significantly enhance your career prospects. The search engine giant basically runs its own college at this point.
- Google Analytics Certification (5 hours)
- Certified Trainer Course (21 hours)
- Google Ads Apps Certification (3 hours)
- AI-Powered Shopping ads Certification (1 hour)
Cyber security certifications
Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing fields in the U.S. Demand for jobs in it rose by 43% in the past year.
But, employers are having a hard time filling those roles because of a shortage of talent. If you’re seeking a new career, consider the fast-growing field of cyber security.
- Introduction to Cybersecurity (Cisco Networking Academy) (15 hours)
- Cybersecurity Essentials (Cisco Networking Academy) (30 hours)
- Gamified Intelligent Cyber Aptitude and Skills Training (The Open University) (24 hours)
- Introduction to Cybersecurity (The Open University) (24 hours)
- Cybrary offers a wide range of free cybersecurity courses, from beginner to advanced levels.
Salesforce certifications
Salesforce is a popular CRM (customer relationship management) software for small businesses. It requires no technical knowledge. It lets users manage customer relationships, sales data, and marketing campaigns.
- Trailhead is an online learning platform designed by Salesforce. You can earn badges as you progress through the various modules.
IT certifications
IT covers a wide range of topics. They include computer science, software engineering, electronics, and semiconductors. It also includes the Internet, telephones, wireless tech, online services, and UX design.
- FreeCodeCamp.org offers a wide variety of IT certification courses that are 100% free.
Python certifications
Python is one of the most popular programming languages. It’s easy to learn and has powerful libraries for advanced users.
Python is also one of the most in-demand languages among employers. If you’re looking to get started in programming, Python is an excellent language to learn.
- Python (Kaggle) (5 hours)
- Introduction to Programming with Python (Harvard University) – To unlock Harvard’s free certificate, you have to set up an account via GitHub. It’s all explained in the first assignment.
- Python (Basic) Skills Certification Test (HackerRank) – This is not a course but a test. Upon passing the test, you can promote yourself using the HackerRank certificate.
Data analytics certifications
The World Economic Forum says data analysis is a top job in the U.S. It’s in high demand in all industries.
Data analysis is the process of studying big data to figure out what it means. You can do this in many ways. But most data analysis uses software to find patterns and visualize the data.
- Data Science Fundamentals (Cognitive Class) This includes three courses, all suitable for beginners.
- Data Analysis: Hypothesis Testing (The Open University) (9 hours)
- Understanding Data (Marginal Revolution University) (6 hours)
Excel certifications
Excel is a powerful tool that can help you organize, analyze, and present data. It can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating charts and graphs to tracking expenses.
- Excel for Beginners (Great Learning) (2 hours)
- Build Your Excel Skills (LinkedIn Learning) (10 hours)
Accounting certifications
The bookkeeping and accounting industry has many growth opportunities. It can pay well, too.
The following free courses teach you the basics of double-entry bookkeeping. They show you how to use that knowledge to create a balance sheet and a profit and loss account.
- Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting (The Open University) (8 hours)
- Fundamentals of Accounting (The Open University) (8 hours)
- Free Bookkeeping Courses (Alison) Alison offers 35 free courses in bookkeeping and accounting.
Nursing certifications
Like most professionals, nurses should always continue learning and growing even after college.
The Stanford Center for Continuing Education offers online medical resources. They include podcasts and full courses. These resources are free and offer certificates of completion.
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- Sign up for Stanford Medicine.
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- Browse the catalog and enroll. By selecting “Online Course” and then “Enduring Materials” you should find plenty of open resources with free certificates.
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- Claim your certificate. Once you finish a course, you can claim your certificate via the catalog page. Some courses require passing an assessment to unlock your certificate.
Machine learning certifications
Machine learning, a key part of AI, is changing industries. It lets systems learn and improve on their own.
Jobs in this field are in high demand, especially in tech, finance, and healthcare.
- Intro to Machine Learning (Kaggle) (3 hours)
- Intermediate Machine Learning (Kaggle) (4 hours)
- Machine Learning Explainability (Kaggle) (4 hours)
- Intro to AI Ethics (Kaggle) (4 hours)
- An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (The Open University) (6 hours)
- Machine Learning with Python (freeCodeCamp) (300 hours)
- Digital Skills: Artificial Intelligence (FutureLearn)
Business certifications
Business certification can help both new and experienced professionals.
For early-career professionals, business certification can prove your expertise to potential employers. For those with more experience, business certification can help. It keeps you current with industry trends and developments.
- Introduction to Business (Saylor Academy) (62 hours)
- Free Business Courses (Alison)
- Business Analysis Foundations (LinkedIn Learning) (1 – 2 hours)
- Business Analysis Foundations: Business Process Modeling (LinkedIn Learning) (1 -2 hours)
- Business Analyst and Project Manager Collaboration (LinkedIn Learning) (Less than 1 hour)
- Business Benefits Realization Foundations (LinkedIn Learning) (1 -2 hours)
Technical writing certifications
Technical writing conveys technical information. It must be easy to understand. It’s in many formats, like user manuals and how-to guides. It’s also in online help docs.
Technical writing generally offers higher pay than non-technical writing.
- Technical Writing (Saylor Academy) (86 hours)
- Technical Writing Essentials (Alison) (3 hours)
Digital marketing certifications
According to LinkedIn, digital marketing ranks among the top 10 most in-demand jobs.
Digital marketing includes many activities. They are social media marketing, content creation, SEO, and email marketing, among others.
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- Inbound Marketing (HubSpot) (5 hours)
- Social Media Marketing (HubSpot) (4 hours)
- Social Media Marketing (Great Learning) (2 hours)
- SEO Certification Course (HubSpot Academy) (4 hours)
- Danny Sullivan on SEO (LinkedIn Learning) (1 hour)
- Content Marketing (HubSpot) (7 hours)
- Email Marketing (HubSpot) (4 hours)
- Email Marketing (Great Learning) (2 hours)
- Inbound Sales (HubSpot) (3 hours)
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing (Skillshop) (40 hours)
- Digital Skills: Digital Marketing (Future Learn) (4 hours)
- Content Marketing Foundations (LinkedIn Learning) (1 hour)
- Content Marketing Basics (Great Learning) (2 hours)
Cloud computing certifications
Cloud computing delivers computing services over the internet. These include storage, processing power, and applications. It replaces the need for local computers.
Google Cloud Computing Foundations offers free beginner courses in cloud computing. Each course takes about 8 hours. The courses should be completed in the order listed below:
Photoshop certifications
Photoshop is a software program for editing photos and other images. Many jobs need Photoshop skills. These include graphic, web, and UI design.
- Online Free Course Photoshop Certification (EDUCBA) (2+ hours)
- Photoshop Quick Tips (LinkedIn Learning) (33 minutes)
MongoDB certifications
MongoDB is a powerful NoSQL database that offers both speed and scalability. It’s a versatile, powerful database for many business apps. These include web development, e-commerce, content management, and real-time analytics.
MongoDB University has many free courses. They offer a certificate on completion.
MATLAB certifications
MATLAB stands for Matrix Laboratory. It’s a numerical computing environment and a fourth-generation programming language. Its basic data type is the matrix.
MathWorks offers free courses on MATLAB. They have a variety of them.
- MATLAB Onramp (2 hours)
- Machine Learning Onramp (2 hours)
- Reinforcement Learning Onramp (3 hours)
Front-end developer certifications
Front-end development is a sought-after job. Businesses want skilled pros to create websites and apps. They should engage users and be easy to navigate.
- Introduction to Front-End Development (SkillUp) (12 hours)
- Front-End Development Libraries (freeCodeCamp) (300 hours)
- Front-End Development – CSS (Great Learning) (1 hour, 30 minutes)
- Front-End Development – HTML (Great Learning) (2 hours)
How to list free certifications on your resume
Here’s a quick guide to listing your certificates on your resume:
- Create a ‘Certifications’ section after listing your education.
- Include the certification’s title followed by the issuing organization.
- Add the date you earned it.
- List the skills and knowledge you gained if space allows.
- Keep the format consistent and professional.
Here’s an example:
The easiest way to list free certifications on your resume is by using Jobscan’s Resume Builder. First create or download your resume in seconds. Then, navigate to the “Certifications” section and click “Add Certification.” Enter your certificate’s title, the issuer, the date earned, and the URL (if any).
Once you complete it, click to save, and you can add the certification to your resume with a click. This free tool ensures your resume highlights your professional achievements with minimal effort.
Here’s an example of what that looks like:
FAQs
Some of the most popular free online certificates are at:
Hubspot Academy
Free Google Certifications
Skillshop
Great Learning
freeCodeCamp.org
DataCamp
Saylor Academy
Kaggle
Cisco Networking Academy
Cognitive Class
OpenLearn
SkillUp
Free certifications may lack the value of degrees or paid ones. But, they show a commitment to career growth and a desire to stay current in your field.
Free certifications can be particularly beneficial when making a career change. serving as evidence of your skills and knowledge in a new job.
Several platforms offer high-quality, free certification courses. They are HubSpot Academy, LinkedIn Learning, Google Skillshop, Alison, and The Open University.
There are several free online courses that award certifications upon proof of completion. HubSpot Academy offers certifications in Inbound Marketing, Social Media Marketing, SEO, Content Marketing, and Email Marketing. Google Skillshop provides a Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course with certification.
Yes, Google offers several free certificates through its various platforms. Notable free certification courses include the Fundamentals of Digital Marketing on Google Skillshop, which covers digital marketing basics and provides a certification upon completion.
Online certifications are important. They show your skills and boost your resume. They also prove your commitment to learning. They can improve your career by validating your expertise in a specific field.
