Credential Verification
How to Verify Online Course Certifications
Online certifications from Coursera, edX, AWS, Google, and Microsoft are increasingly common on resumes. Verification processes vary significantly by platform. Here is how to confirm whether a claimed certificate is real and what it actually means.
Quick answer
Most legitimate online certifications include a shareable verification link or Credly badge URL — click it to confirm the certificate is genuine. For professional cloud certifications (AWS, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce), use the platform's official verification portal. For MOOC completions (Coursera, edX), request the verification URL directly from the candidate — there is no employer-facing lookup without it.
Types of online certifications
Online certifications span a wide spectrum of rigor and verifiability:
| Type | Examples | Verifiability |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor certifications (proctored) | AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Cisco, CompTIA | High — dedicated verification portals |
| MOOC completions | Coursera, edX, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning | Medium — shareable links, easy to share fake screenshots |
| Professional association credentials | PMI PMP, HRCI PHR, SHRM-CP, Salesforce | High — member directories and verification portals |
| Digital badges (Credly) | IBM, Cisco, many universities | High — Credly badges contain embedded verification |
Vendor certification verification portals
Major technology vendors provide free public verification for their certifications:
Verification portals by vendor
- AWS: aws.amazon.com/certification/certification-rep-finder — search by name, returns badge and certification
- Google Cloud: google.com/certification — candidate shares a certificate URL; Google does not have a public search
- Microsoft Azure: learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications — candidates share transcript via Microsoft Learn; no public lookup
- Cisco: cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/certifications/verify.html — search by certificate ID
- CompTIA: verify.comptia.org — search by candidate name and certificate ID
- Salesforce: trailhead.salesforce.com/credentials/certification-detail-print — candidate shares a verification URL
- PMI (PMP): pmi.org/certification/registry — public registry searchable by name
MOOC platform certificates (Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, Udemy)
Completion certificates from MOOC platforms are verified through shareable links. There is no employer-facing search — the candidate must provide the verification URL.
- Coursera: Each certificate has a unique URL (coursera.org/verify/[code]). Request this link — clicking it confirms the certificate is valid and shows the course and completion date.
- edX: Verified certificates include a link to edx.org/certificates/[code]. Request the certificate link directly.
- LinkedIn Learning: Certificates appear on LinkedIn profiles. View the profile and click the certificate — LinkedIn Learning has no separate public lookup.
- Udemy: Certificates include a Certificate ID and a verification URL (udemy.com/certificate/[ID]). Request the ID — do not accept just a screenshot.
A screenshot of a certificate is easy to fake. Always request the clickable verification link or the certificate ID — if the candidate cannot provide one, treat the certificate as unverified.
Credly digital badges
Many organizations (IBM, Cisco, universities, professional associations) issue digital badges through Credly (credly.com). Digital badges contain embedded verification — clicking a badge link at credly.com confirms:
- The earner's name
- The issuing organization
- The credential earned
- Date issued and expiration (if applicable)
- Skills and criteria associated with the credential
Credly badges are more tamper-resistant than PDF certificates because they are issued and controlled by the awarding organization, not the earner. A valid Credly badge URL is a reliable verification signal.
What online certifications actually mean
Before verifying, understand what you are actually verifying:
- Proctored vendor certifications (AWS, Cisco, CompTIA) require passing a monitored exam. These represent demonstrated skill.
- MOOC completion certificates confirm course completion — they do not verify knowledge retention or practical skill.
- Specializations and Professional Certificates (Coursera, edX) represent multi-course programs but still do not involve proctored assessment for most learners.
- AI-generated fake certificates are an increasing problem — always verify via the platform's URL, not a submitted PDF.
Verify degree credentials alongside certifications
Online certifications supplement but do not replace degree credentials. Use VerifyED to confirm that a candidate's degree comes from a legitimate, accredited institution before relying on online certificates as proxies.
Search Schools and Accreditation →