What certifications are worth getting?

If you are thinking about getting a professional certification, the biggest mistake you can make is choosing one simply because it looks impressive on a resume.

What Certifications Are Worth Getting in 2026?

If you are thinking about getting a professional certification, the biggest mistake you can make is choosing one simply because it looks impressive on a resume. A certification is worth getting when it helps you qualify for specific jobs, demonstrates a skill employers actually value, or strengthens your position for a career transition or advancement.

That means there is no single “best certification” for everyone. A Project Management Professional (PMP) certification can be extremely valuable for an experienced project manager but largely irrelevant to someone pursuing a software engineering career. An AWS certification may help a cloud professional while doing little for someone applying to marketing positions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics distinguishes certifications from licenses: certifications are generally issued by nongovernmental organizations to demonstrate knowledge or skills, while licenses are issued by government agencies and provide legal authority to practice an occupation.

The better question is therefore not “What certification should I get?” but “Which certification is recognized by employers for the job I want?”

Quick Answer: Which Certifications Are Worth Getting?

The certifications most likely to be worth the investment are those connected to a specific, established career path and recognized by employers in that field.

In 2026, strong examples include:

These credentials are not automatically valuable for every candidate. Their value depends on the target position, experience level, employer demand, and whether you can demonstrate the underlying skill.

What Makes a Certification Worth the Money?

Before paying for a certification, evaluate it against five factors.

1. Employers recognize it

The credential should be issued by an established professional organization, technology company, or recognized certification body.

A certification that nobody in your target industry recognizes may add very little value to your application.

2. It appears in real job postings

This is one of the most important tests.

Search LinkedIn, Indeed, and other job boards for the jobs you want. Look at the qualifications employers actually list.

If a certification appears repeatedly across relevant positions, that is stronger evidence of market value than a training provider claiming that its certificate will “boost your career.”

3. It validates a useful skill

The credential should demonstrate something employers care about.

For example, cloud certifications can validate knowledge of a specific cloud platform, while project management certifications can demonstrate knowledge of established project management practices.

4. It matches your experience level

A highly respected certification may still be a poor choice if you do not meet its prerequisites.

For example, the PMP is designed for professionals with substantial project leadership experience. PMI's current eligibility requirements include different experience thresholds depending on educational background. Candidates with a bachelor's degree generally need at least three years of experience leading projects, while candidates with a high school diploma generally need five years.

Getting a beginner-level credential may make more sense if you are just entering the field.

5. You can demonstrate the skill behind it

A certification should support your professional story—not replace it.

For example, an AWS certification is much more convincing when you can discuss cloud architecture, deployment, security, cost considerations, and actual projects during an interview.

The strongest combination is generally:

Certification + practical skill + relevant experience + evidence.

Best Certifications for Project Management

PMP — Project Management Professional

The PMP is one of the strongest professional certifications for experienced project managers and professionals whose careers involve substantial project leadership.

PMI describes PMP as a globally recognized credential for professionals who can manage people, processes, and business priorities across project environments. PMI's current requirements include professional project leadership experience and 35 hours of project management training.

The PMP is particularly relevant for:

PMI reports that PMP-certified professionals in the United States have a reported median salary of $135,000 and that PMP holders report higher median salaries than non-certified professionals. Because this is PMI's own certification data, job seekers should treat it as an indicator rather than a guarantee of what an individual certification holder will earn.

CAPM — Certified Associate in Project Management

If you are interested in project management but do not yet have the experience required for PMP, CAPM can be a more appropriate starting point.

PMI currently describes CAPM as a foundational project management certification with no experience requirement.

The important point is that you should not pursue PMP simply because it is more prestigious. Choose the credential that matches where you actually are in your career.

Best Certifications for Cybersecurity

CompTIA Security+

Security+ can make sense for professionals building foundational cybersecurity knowledge, particularly when it aligns with entry-level security, IT, networking, or security operations roles.

It is generally more appropriate as a foundation than an advanced cybersecurity credential. If you already have substantial cybersecurity experience, a more advanced certification may better match your career level.

CISSP

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional, or CISSP, is a more advanced cybersecurity credential.

It is better suited to experienced cybersecurity professionals than someone attempting to enter cybersecurity for the first time.

Recent research from ISC2 involving more than 1,500 cybersecurity professionals found that respondents viewed certifications as important career assets, with many reporting benefits involving knowledge, credibility, career progression, and earning potential.

The lesson is important: cybersecurity certifications can have meaningful value, but the right certification depends heavily on your career stage.

Best Certifications for Cloud Computing

Cloud certifications can be useful because they are tied to specific technology ecosystems that employers actively use.

Common certification paths include:

The best choice depends on the cloud environment used by your target employers.

For example, getting an AWS credential makes more sense if most of the positions you are targeting use AWS. If the companies you want to work for primarily use Microsoft Azure, an Azure certification may provide more relevant evidence.

This is why choosing a certification based on a generic “top certifications” list can be misleading.

Choose the ecosystem first. Choose the certification second.

Best Certifications for Data and AI Careers

Data and AI are rapidly evolving areas, which makes certification selection more complicated.

Certifications can be useful in areas such as:

However, candidates should be especially careful about certifications built around a short-lived tool or trend.

A credential can become less valuable if the underlying technology changes quickly or employers do not recognize the certification.

For data and AI careers, certifications are often strongest when combined with real projects, portfolios, technical demonstrations, or professional experience.

A candidate who can show a working data project and explain the methodology behind it may be more convincing than a candidate with several certificates but no practical examples.

Best Certifications for Salesforce and Enterprise Technology

Vendor-specific certifications can be highly useful when they correspond directly to a platform employers use.

Salesforce is a good example. Salesforce certifications can be relevant for professionals pursuing roles involving Salesforce administration, configuration, implementation, consulting, and related business systems work.

The same principle applies across enterprise technology. A certification becomes more valuable when it is connected to a platform that employers actually operate.

This creates a useful rule:

Vendor certification + widely used platform + target job demand = potentially strong certification value.

Certifications for Business and Operations Professionals

You do not have to work in IT for certifications to be useful.

Business professionals may benefit from credentials connected to:

Robert Half's 2026 technology salary research also highlights the value employers place on skills involving AI, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other technology areas. It notes that business professionals can benefit from technology-related expertise when their roles intersect with digital transformation and business strategy.

This means a nontechnical professional does not necessarily need to become a software engineer to benefit from technology credentials. A marketing, finance, HR, operations, or project professional may gain value from understanding the technology used in their business function.

Certifications That May Not Be Worth Getting

The fact that a certification exists does not mean you should buy it.

Be cautious about credentials that:

You should also be skeptical of certifications marketed with guarantees of employment, six-figure salaries, or guaranteed interviews.

A credential can improve your qualifications. It cannot guarantee that an employer will hire you.

How to Find Out If a Certification Is Actually in Demand

Before enrolling, perform your own market research.

Step 1: Choose the job first

Do not start with Google searches for “best certifications.” Start with the job title you want.

Step 2: Review at least 20 job postings

Look at positions from different companies rather than relying on one employer.

Step 3: Record recurring certifications

Separate certifications into:

Step 4: Compare the certification with your experience

Ask whether the credential addresses an actual weakness in your application.

Step 5: Check the issuing organization

Look for an established professional association, technology provider, or recognized certification body.

Step 6: Calculate the total investment

Consider the exam fee, training, study materials, renewal costs, continuing education requirements, and your time.

For example, PMP certification is not simply an exam purchase. PMI requires qualifying experience and training, and maintaining the credential requires professional development units during the renewal cycle.

The Certification ROI Test

Before paying for a certification, ask yourself these five questions:

  1. Will this credential qualify me for jobs I cannot currently qualify for?
  2. Do employers repeatedly mention it in the positions I want?
  3. Is the issuing organization recognized in my industry?
  4. Will I actually use the skills covered by the certification?
  5. Would another investment—such as experience, a portfolio, networking, or better career positioning—produce more value?

If you cannot answer “yes” to at least some of these questions, stop before spending the money.

Certification vs. Experience: Which Matters More?

In many careers, the answer is not certification or experience. The strongest candidates often have both.

Consider three candidates:

Candidate Profile Potential Strength
A Several certifications, little practical experience Shows formal learning but may lack evidence of application
B Relevant experience, no certification Strong practical evidence
C Relevant experience plus a recognized certification Combines experience with third-party validation

Candidate C may have the strongest overall profile, but Candidate B can still be highly competitive depending on the position.

The important lesson is that certifications should strengthen your professional evidence rather than become a substitute for it.

What If You Are Changing Careers?

A certification can be especially useful during a career transition because it gives employers evidence that you have intentionally developed knowledge in your new field.

But career changers should avoid collecting multiple certifications without building practical evidence.

A stronger transition strategy is:

  1. Choose the target occupation.
  2. Research actual job requirements.
  3. Identify the largest qualification gap.
  4. Choose one relevant credential if it addresses that gap.
  5. Build practical evidence around the skill.
  6. Reposition your resume and LinkedIn profile around transferable experience.
  7. Begin targeted networking and applications.

This is often more effective than spending a year earning certifications before applying to a single job.

Do You Need Help Choosing the Right Certification?

Choosing the right credential is ultimately a career strategy decision. The certification that makes sense for one person may be a waste of money for another.

LiaHia provides Licensing & Certification guidance to help professionals evaluate credential requirements and advancement pathways. LiaHia also offers Career Coaching, Resume & LinkedIn Optimization, and Training & Upskilling services for professionals who need help determining what to develop next.

If the issue is broader than choosing a credential and you need help managing the actual job search, LiaHia also provides reverse recruiting, including opportunity research, application management, recruiter outreach, resume and LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation.

The goal should not be to have the most certifications. The goal is to have the right qualifications for the career you are pursuing.

Final Takeaway

The certifications worth getting are the ones that have a clear connection to the jobs you want.

PMP can be valuable for experienced project professionals. CAPM can make more sense for someone entering project management. Security certifications can support cybersecurity careers. Cloud credentials can validate platform-specific skills. Vendor certifications can be useful when they correspond to widely used enterprise systems. Data and AI credentials can help when they align with real technical requirements.

But none of these should be treated as universal career shortcuts.

Research the job first. Identify the skill or credential employers actually want. Then invest in the certification that closes that specific gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most valuable certification to get?

There is no universally most valuable certification. The right credential depends on your target occupation and career stage. PMP can be valuable for experienced project professionals, while cloud, cybersecurity, data, and vendor-specific credentials can be valuable in technology careers. The best test is whether the certification repeatedly appears in the job postings you want.

Are certifications worth it in 2026?

Yes, some certifications remain valuable in 2026, particularly when they validate skills employers need. Current research from ISC2 shows cybersecurity professionals continue to report meaningful career benefits from certifications, while Pearson VUE's 2026 employer research identifies AI, cybersecurity, cloud, data science, and IT project management among major technology skill-gap areas.

Is PMP certification worth getting?

PMP can be worthwhile if you have meaningful project leadership experience and want to advance in project management, program management, operations, implementation, or related fields. It is not an ideal first certification for everyone because PMI has experience and training requirements.

Are certifications better than a degree?

Certifications and degrees serve different purposes. A degree provides broader education, while a certification generally validates knowledge or competency in a more specific area. For some careers, a degree is important or required; for others, a targeted certification can provide useful evidence of specialized skills. The right choice depends on the occupation.

How many certifications should I have on my resume?

There is no ideal number. A small number of highly relevant certifications is usually stronger than a long list of unrelated credentials. Include certifications that support the position you are applying for and remove credentials that do not contribute meaningfully to your professional story.

Should I get a certification before applying for jobs?

Not necessarily. If you already meet the primary requirements for your target jobs, you may be better off applying while continuing your professional development. If a certification is required or repeatedly requested by employers, obtaining it may be more important. Do not delay your job search simply because you have not collected every preferred qualification.

Can LiaHia help me choose a certification?

Yes. LiaHia offers licensing and certification guidance as part of its career services. The company can also support broader career strategy, training and upskilling, resume and LinkedIn optimization, career coaching, and managed job-search services.

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Search Answer

The certifications worth getting are those that employers recognize and that directly relate to your target job. In 2026, strong examples include PMP for experienced project professionals, CAPM for entry-level project management, cybersecurity credentials such as Security+ and CISSP, cloud certifications from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and relevant vendor or data credentials. Always check current job postings before investing.