Why earn an edX certificate and how to add it to your LinkedIn
An edX verified certificate signifies that you earned a passing grade in a rigorous online course. Learn how to earn your certificate and celebrate your achievement on LinkedIn with edX.
By: Shelby Campbell, Edited by: Gabriela Pérez Jordán
Last updated: August 20, 2025
Key takeaways
- You can earn a verified certificate on edX or access the online course materials for free.
- Verified certificates can add credibility to your résumé and associate you with leading schools.
- Add your edX online course certificate to your résumé and LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
Why earn an edX certificate
Online education is accessible education. With edX, learners from around the world can access tuition-free education from top institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and the University of Cambridge.
Want to share your achievements with potential employers? When you pass an edX course, you can upgrade to earn a verified certificate.
Learn how to enroll and share your verified certificate on LinkedIn in this guide.
Self-paced learning
Learners can take edX courses asynchronously to accommodate busy schedules and learning styles.
University-backed
edX offers courses taught by industry-leading experts from top universities and institutions.
Optional certificates
You can access course materials for free or upgrade to earn a verified certificate on edX.
What you get with a verified certificate
Upgrading to the verified certificate track on edX can provide a number of advantages:
- Graded assessments
- An individualized verification code
- Proof of passing — not just completion
- Résumé and LinkedIn credibility
- Association with esteemed institutions
- Unlimited access to course materials
"This will help me in the future to distinguish and elevate myself academically, which will give me a chance to work…in the field of engineering in my country. I see this as an opportunity to compete for a good job, which means these courses may allow me to achieve my dreams of a future in engineering."
— Amani H. | Sudan | HarvardX: CS50
How to earn your edX certificate
Find a course
Ready to earn your verified certificate to upskill or reskill on edX? Start by finding the best online course for your career goals. edX online courses offer career skills in topics such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Data analytics
- Marketing and advertising
- Business and finance
Enroll in the course
Then, click the orange button on the right side of the screen that says "Earn a certificate." This button will lead you to two options for accessing the course:
- Earn a certificate
- Access course materials
To upgrade your access, click "earn a certificate," which is the option on the left side of the page. The certificate path will bring you to a registration and payment page.
Complete the course
Once you've reached the confirmation page, you've enrolled in the course. The course materials will open on the designated course start date. While you'll only have until the program deadline to complete graded assignments, you'll have unlimited access to the course materials after enrolling.
Download your certificate
After completing the course and earning passing grades on the assessments, you'll receive your verified certificate from your chosen institution. Certificates for programs on edX include a PDF with a link authenticating the certificate and validating that you earned it.
Then, add the online course to your résumé and LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your new skills to potential employers and celebrate the achievement.
How to add your edX certificate to LinkedIn
Steps to add the certificates from a computer
Adding a certificate on LinkedIn can help validate your professional skills and achievements. Here's how to do it on your computer after you log in to the LinkedIn website and go to your profile.
Step 1: Ensure you have the certification section
You typically add professional certificates to the "Licenses and certifications" section of your LinkedIn profile. If this is your first time adding a certificate, here's how to create this new section:
- Go to the introduction section of your profile.
- Click on "Add profile section."
- Under the Recommended dropdown, click on "Add licenses and certifications."
Step 1: Ensure you have the certification section
You typically add professional certificates to the "Licenses and certifications" section of your LinkedIn profile. If this is your first time adding a certificate, here's how to create this new section:
- Go to the introduction section of your profile.
- Click on "Add profile section."
- Under the Recommended dropdown, click on "Add licenses and certifications."
Steps to add the certificate from a mobile device
You can also add a professional certificate to your LinkedIn profile on your mobile device. Here's how you can do it.
Step 1: Go to your LinkedIn app
Launch the LinkedIn app on your mobile device to add a certificate. Then, you should log in to your account and view your profile.
Step 1: Go to your LinkedIn app
Launch the LinkedIn app on your mobile device to add a certificate. Then, you should log in to your account and view your profile.