How do you list certifications on a resume?

One line per credential with up to four parts: the full name spelled out with the acronym in parentheses, the issuing organization, the date earned or renewed, and the expiry if it has one. Put whatever the job posting requires first, then the rest newest first. Licenses also carry the state and license number, because the employer's next step is to verify them.

Where do certifications go on a resume?

A dedicated Certifications section below your work experience is the default. Move it above experience when the credential is your main qualification, for example a newly licensed nurse or a career changer whose certification is the bridge into the field. The single credential your field leads with, like RN or CPA, also goes after your name at the top of the resume.

Should I put my license number on my resume?

In licensed fields like nursing, yes: recruiters verify the license with the state board, and giving the number turns that check into seconds. Include the state, the number, and the expiry date. If the resume is being posted publicly on job boards rather than sent to one employer, you can write "license number available on request" instead; keep the rest of the line the same.

Should I list expired certifications on a resume?

No, with one honest exception. An expired credential presented as current fails the verification check, and this is the easiest section of a resume to verify. Either renew it before applying or leave it off. If renewal is genuinely underway, write "renewal in progress"; if an exam is booked, write "exam scheduled" with the date.

How do I list a certification I am still working on?

Name it with its honest status and a date: "CPA candidate, exam scheduled November 2026" or "Certified ScrumMaster, expected March 2026". Only claim in-progress if you are enrolled or scheduled; a credential you intend to start someday is not a resume line yet. Recruiters respect a dated plan and discount a vague one.

Is this certifications section generator free?

Yes. Enter your profession and your credentials in rough form, and your first sections are free. It is built by Resume Worded, whose resume tools have been used by over 5 million job seekers since 2017. It spells out every credential, keeps your license numbers exactly as you gave them, and never invents dates or issuers.