Certificate or certification: what is the difference?

A certification is an assessed exam

A certification is awarded for passing an exam set by the provider. The exam is normally proctored, which means the candidate’s identity is checked and the sitting is supervised, in a test centre or online. Most certifications expire after one to three years.

Almost all AI certifications are multiple choice, including those labelled professional. They show that someone knows the material and can reason about scenarios. They do not show that the person has built anything.

A certificate is awarded for completing a course

A certificate shows that someone finished a course. Assessment, where there is any, is usually an unproctored quiz or an assignment that can be resubmitted. Identity is rarely verified.

Names can mislead. “Professional Certificate” is a product name used by course platforms, and a certificate from a well-known university’s professional programme is not an academic qualification.

A microcredential sits in between

Microcredentials are short assessments of one narrow skill, and many are practical. The candidate completes tasks in a real environment, which is something few certifications require.

The trade-off is assurance. Most microcredentials are taken online without a proctor, so they are strong evidence that the work was done and weaker evidence of who did it.

What to do with each

None of the three replaces a conversation about real work. Use them to decide what to ask.

• Certification: ask when it was earned and what the candidate built while preparing.
• Course certificate: treat it as evidence of study and ask to see the projects.
• Microcredential: treat it as evidence of practice and confirm it in a practical exercise.