Cyfrin Updraft offers two types of credentials: Certificates of Completion and professional Certifications. Both have value, but they serve different purposes.
Here’s how they compare:
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion demonstrates you completed a course and passed the final proficiency exam, or quiz in some cases.
What it means:
You have:
Completed the course curriculum
Passed the end-of-course exam
Built a foundational knowledge of the material
Good for:
Tracking personal progress
Adding to your resume, website, or profiles
Sharing on social media to show off you're learning
How to get it:
Complete all course lessons, including quizzes
Successfully pass the course’s final proficiency exam
Download your certificate as a PDF from the course page
Professional Certification
A professional certification shows that you passed a standalone, proctored exam designed to test your ability to apply skills in real-world scenarios.
What it means:
You have:
Demonstrated your expertise, skill, and mastery of the subject and ability to build
Passed a rigorous, expert-level exam
Achieved a recognized industry standard
Established that you are qualified to work professionally in the field
Good for:
Proving you have the job-ready skills to make an immediate impact
Building credibility with employers or clients
Standing out from the crowd on recruiting, hiring, and freelance platforms
How to get it:
Select and purchase a Certification voucher (e.g. SSCD+)
Schedule and pass the proctored exam
Receive a formal credential to share and displayReceive a formal, shareable credential
🧾 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Certificate of Completion | Professional Certification |
What it is | Proof you have completed a course and understand the material. | Proof you have the rigorous, professional skills and capability to work professionally in a subject area |
Skill level | Beginner to intermediate | Advanced, real-world scenarios |
Exam format | 40 - 75 minutes exam | 90-minute proctored exam |
Proctored? | No | Yes |
Recognized by industry? | Informal | Yes, industry standard |
Used for hiring? | Sometimes | Frequently |
Downloadable? | Yes (PDF + public credential) | Yes (PDF + public credential) |
📝 Which one should I choose?
Just starting out? → Take a course and earn a certificate of completion
Want to prove your skills in a job or freelance context? → Go for a professional certification like SSCD+
Many learners start with completion certificates and then level up to professional credentials.
For more info, check out:
🔗 Professional Certifications →
🔗 Cyfrin Updraft Courses →