What is a certified marketing professional?

A certified marketing professional has demonstrated their marketing skills and knowledge by completing a certification program. This can refer to any marketing certificate that a reputable institution or brand offers. However, a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) refers specifically to someone who has completed the AMA program of the same name.

Do you need to be certified to work in marketing?

While you don’t need professional certifications to work in marketing, they can help you stand out to potential employers, move into more senior marketing positions, and increase your earning potential.

Is a PCM certification worth it?

A PCM certification can demonstrate your content marketing, digital marketing, and marketing management skills and add credibility to your resume. However, there are many marketing certifications available online. Be sure to browse options and choose the certification that best fits your current role or career aspirations.

Can you become a digital marketer with a certificate?

To become a digital marketer, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field. A professional certificate is not required to secure a digital marketing job, but it can showcase specific skills and help you stand out in a competitive, evolving field.

What certifications should I get for marketing?

By: Amanda Phagan, Edited by: Marie Custodio Collazo

Published: May 12, 2025

If you have ever wondered, "What certifications should I get for marketing?" you may already know that the answer depends on your industry, specialty, and experience. Marketing is an ever-evolving field that requires continued education — especially if you want to stand out to employers, land more senior roles, and increase your earning potential. Browse some of the most lucrative marketing certifications in our guide.

What are marketing certifications?

Earning a marketing certification can increase your industry knowledge and elevate your career. Many marketing professionals pursue a certification in a specific marketing topic to deepen their knowledge and differentiate themselves in a crowded field. Some certification programs teach broad skills like digital marketing basics, while others focus on a specific topic like user experience.

What certifications are in most demand for marketing professionals?

The most in-demand certifications vary by specialty and niche. However, most marketing professionals recognize the value of specialized certifications like:

Google Analytics certification
Google Ads certification
HubSpot Content Marketing certification
HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification
SEMrush SEO Toolkit certification
American Marketing Association (AMA) Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) certification

Additionally, certifications covering broad marketing topics are valuable for professionals looking to improve their industry knowledge. These certifications include universal marketing topics such as digital marketing fundamentals, customer engagement, and user experience.

Types of marketing certifications

Since several marketing certifications are available online, it can be helpful to identify the topics and institutions most relevant to your career aspirations. Depending on your niche, you may consider earning a professional certificate in:

Digital marketing

Today, most of what is called "marketing" is digital marketing. A digital marketing certification can help you showcase your up-to-date skills as preferred platforms, emerging technologies, and effective strategies evolve. These certifications are broad in scope and cover multiple topics and skills relevant to digital marketing roles.

Content marketing

A content marketing certification can help you build upon skills like persuasion, strategic content creation, and platform know-how. This type of certification may be ideal for content creators, SEO specialists, and social media marketers. Many content marketing professionals earn certifications to grow their careers, refresh their skills, and stand out in the job market.

Email marketing

An email marketing certification can be valuable for digital marketers who produce or plan to produce email content. Email marketing certifications cover essential skills such as A/B testing, segmentation, automation, personalization, and best practices. Earning an email-specific certification may be helpful if you're in an email-centric role or work on email content within your broader content marketing role.

Inbound marketing

Inbound marketing is a popular digital marketing strategy that prioritizes customer-centered content. An inbound marketing certification can show peers and employers you are proficient in SEO, analytics tools, and content marketing platforms.

Should I get a marketing certification?

A marketing certification can help you carve out a niche, continue your education, and demonstrate your expertise to peers and employers. Adding a professional certificate to your resume can also benefit you if you want to move into senior, leadership, and management positions. Some professionals pursue marketing certifications in lieu of or in addition to a master's in marketing.

Frequently asked questions about certifications for marketing professionals

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