Professional Certifications vs. Certificates of Completion
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion demonstrates completion of a course and passing the final proficiency exam.
What it means:
You have:
- Completed the course curriculum
- Passed the end-of-course exam
- Built foundational knowledge of the material
Good for:
- Tracking personal progress
- Adding to resume, website, or profiles
- Sharing on social media
How to get it:
- Complete all course lessons, including quizzes
- Successfully pass the course's final proficiency exam
- Download certificate as 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 expertise, skill, and mastery with ability to build
- Passed a rigorous, expert-level exam
- Achieved recognized industry standard
- Established qualification to work professionally in the field
Good for:
- Proving job-ready skills for immediate impact
- Building credibility with employers or clients
- Standing out 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 formal, shareable credential
Comparison Table
| Aspect | Certificate of Completion | Professional Certification |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Proof of course completion and material understanding | Proof of rigorous professional skills and capability |
| Skill level | Beginner to intermediate | Advanced, real-world scenarios |
| Exam format | 40-75 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Industry recognition | Informal | Yes, industry standard |
| Used for hiring | Sometimes | Frequently |
| Downloadable | Yes (PDF + public credential) | Yes (PDF + public credential) |
Which Should You Choose?
- Just starting out? Take a course and earn a certificate of completion
- Proving job or freelance skills? Pursue professional certification like SSCD+
"Many learners start with completion certificates and then level up to professional credentials."
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