# Free certifications: what they are and where to get them | Get Certified for Free

Source: https://getcertifiedforfree.com/free-certifications/

# Free certifications: what they are and where to get them

You can earn a certificate online for free in many subjects. What it is worth depends on who issues it and what it proves. Here is how to tell them apart, and where to start.

## Three kinds of credentials

- Certificate of completion. Shows you finished a course or passed a quiz. This is what Get Certified for Free issues.
- Professional certification. Usually a proctored exam from a recognized body or vendor, sometimes with experience and renewal requirements.
- License. Issued by a government agency and legally required to practice some jobs.

## Our free certificates

Get Certified for Free has [ten free courses](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/) with five levels each. Pass a six-question quiz to download a PDF certificate for that level, or pass all five for a track certificate. They are good for structured learning and for showing you studied a topic. They are not accredited and do not count toward any license.

## Other places with free certificates

These providers offer free courses and, in many cases, free certificates or certifications. Terms change, so check each provider before you start. Get Certified for Free is not affiliated with them.

| Provider | What is free |
| --- | --- |
| [HubSpot Academy](https://academy.hubspot.com/) | Marketing, sales, and customer service courses, many with free certifications. |
| [Google Skillshop](https://skillshop.withgoogle.com/) | Free training and certifications for Google Ads, Google Analytics, and other Google tools. |
| [FEMA Emergency Management Institute (Independent Study)](https://training.fema.gov/is/) | Free self-paced emergency management courses from a U.S. government agency, with certificates of completion. |
| [freeCodeCamp](https://www.freecodecamp.org/) | Free coding curriculum with project-based certifications. |
| [Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/training/) | Free training paths for Microsoft products. Some credentials are free; most role-based certification exams charge a fee. |
| [Cisco Networking Academy](https://www.netacad.com/) | Self-paced courses in networking and cybersecurity, many free, with certificates or badges for completion. |

Provider descriptions were reviewed on November 12, 2026.

## How to choose

1. Start from the job or goal and see which credentials those job posts mention.
1. Prefer certifications from the company that makes the tool or from a recognized standards body.
1. Check whether the credential expires and what renewal costs.
1. Put the credential, issuer, and date on your resume, and be accurate about what it is.

## Questions

### What is the difference between a certificate and a certification?

A certificate of completion shows you finished a course or passed a quiz. A professional certification usually requires a proctored exam from a recognized body, and sometimes work experience and renewal. Licenses are issued by government agencies and are required to practice some jobs.

### Are free certifications worth it?

They are useful for learning and for showing initiative, especially when they match the job. Employers usually weigh certifications from the company that makes the tool (for example Google or HubSpot) or from recognized standards bodies more heavily than general certificates.

### Can a free certificate get me a license?

No. Licenses for real estate, insurance, cosmetology, contracting, and similar work come from your state after required education and an exam. Our certificates do not count toward any license.

## Start here

- [Using AI](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/using-ai/)
- [Real Estate Basics](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/real-estate-basics/)
- [Running a Nonprofit](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/running-a-nonprofit/)
- [Personal Finance](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/personal-finance/)
- [Starting a Small Business](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/starting-a-small-business/)
- [Digital Marketing](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/digital-marketing/)
- [Staying Safe Online](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/staying-safe-online/)
- [Spreadsheets](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/spreadsheets/)
- [Workplace Communication](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/workplace-communication/)
- [Project Management](https://getcertifiedforfree.com/courses/project-management/)