How to put in progress certification on LinkedIn (step-by-step)

Adding an "In progress" certification to your LinkedIn profile is a smart way to signal professional development, show momentum, and attract relevant conversations—without overselling qualification. In this guide you'll learn exactly how to add and optimize an "In progress" certification on LinkedIn (desktop + mobile), copy templates to use, common mistakes to avoid, and how automation can help you announce milestones to grow your personal brand.

Why show an "In progress" certification on LinkedIn?

Short answer: Because it builds credibility, attracts connections, and demonstrates investment in your skills—when done the right way. LinkedIn data shows profiles that list relevant certifications and courses perform better in searches and profile views, and people often reach out to congratulate or discuss similar learning paths (source: LinkedIn News, HubSpot research on LinkedIn profile optimization).

• Signals growth: Shows you’re actively learning and improving.
• Drives conversations: Posts about progress generate comments and connection requests.
• Supports personal brand: Reinforces niche authority when tied to your content pillars.

Quick overview: How LinkedIn handles certifications

LinkedIn stores certifications under the "Licenses & certifications" profile section. The standard fields are: Name, Issuing organization, Issue date, Expiration date (optional), Credential ID, and Credential URL. There is no built-in "In progress" checkbox—so you use name, dates, and description to communicate status clearly and professionally.

Step-by-step: Add an "In progress" certification on LinkedIn (desktop and mobile)

1. Open your profile:

   Desktop: Click "Me" > "View profile". Mobile: Tap your profile photo > "View profile".

2. Find "Licenses & certifications":

   Scroll to the "Licenses & certifications" card. If missing, click "Add profile section" > "Background" > "Licenses & certifications."

3. Click "+" to add a new entry:

   On desktop use the + icon; on mobile use "Add a certificate" or "Add profile section" then pick the certifications option.

4. Use the Name field to communicate status:

   Write the certification name, then add a short status marker such as "(In progress)" or "— expected MM YYYY." Example: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (In progress — expected Aug 2026).

5. Issuing organization:

   Select the issuing organization (LinkedIn will often suggest and link it). If the program is run by a platform (Coursera, edX, vendor), choose the platform or the vendor as appropriate.

6. Issue date:

   For "In progress" entries either leave the issue date as the month you began (e.g., May 2026) or use the expected completion month as the issue date and add clarity in the name. Avoid setting a future issue date that contradicts platform validation rules—if LinkedIn requires an issue date, choose the month you started.

7. Expiration and credential fields:

   Leave expiration blank unless the credential expires. Add Credential ID or URL if available (often not applicable until completion).

8. Add supporting context in the Description:

   Use 1–3 sentences to explain the expected outcome: what you’re learning, why it matters, and an expected completion date. Example: "Currently completing the AWS Solutions Architect path (expected completion Sep 2026). Focused on cloud architecture and IaC for SaaS products."

9. Save & share selectively:

   Save the entry. If you plan a public post, prepare a short progress update and pin it to a relevant featured post later.

Desktop screenshots and mobile tips

• Desktop: Use the pencil icon to edit and make sure the organization is linked to its official LinkedIn page so the credential shows as verified.
• Mobile: Some fields show differently—fill the Name and Organization first, then expand to add dates and description.
• If you don’t want to display it permanently, you can add it and hide it later while sharing progress through posts instead.

Three proven formats to show "In progress"—pick the one that fits your brand

Best practices: Show progress without diminishing credibility

• Be specific: Give an expected completion month or the percent complete if relevant ("70% completed").
• Link to proof: Add a public project or course URL showing progress (module completion, assignments).
• Align with content pillars: Use the certification to inform posts that demonstrate what you learn—share micro-lessons or project screenshots.
• Keep tone modest and confident: Avoid phrasing that implies full qualification. Use "working toward" or "expected completion."

Copy templates: Name, Description, and Post templates

Profile Name templates

• "Certified ScrumMaster (In progress — expected Oct 2026)"
• "Google Data Analytics Certificate (In progress)"
• "Advanced SQL for Data Science (Course — In progress)"

Description templates (40–80 words)

Template A — concise: "Currently completing the [Program Name] with [Provider]. Expected completion: [Month Year]. Focusing on [skill 1], [skill 2], and practical projects in [area]."

Template B — project-focused: "In progress: [Program Name]. Completed modules: [Module A], [Module B]. Working on a final project that applies [skill] to [use case]."

Short post templates to announce progress (LinkedIn post)

• Announcement: "Started [Program Name] with [Provider]! Excited to learn [skill]. Expected finish: [Month Year]. If you’ve done this course, share tips!"
• Mid-progress update: "50% through [Program Name] — biggest takeaway so far: [insight]. Working on a project that [result]."
• Engagement prompt: "I’m learning [topic]—what tools or resources helped you most?"

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Listing future issue dates without context: Don’t set a future issue date alone—add "expected" in the name or description to avoid confusion.
• Overclaiming skills: Avoid implying completion or certification-level competence before finishing assessments.
• Too much jargon: Use plain language so hiring managers and peers understand the benefit quickly.
• Not sharing progress publicly: If you add "In progress" but never post about what you’re learning, you miss networking opportunities.

How LinkedIn automation and content planning help you amplify certification progress

Announcing and documenting progress consistently drives visibility. This is where AI content automation tools like Linkesy can help:

• 30-day content calendar: Automatically generate a month of posts that chronicle your certification journey—announcements, module summaries, project results.
• Voice-matched posts: Linkesy writes in your tone so updates feel authentic and not automated.
• AI image creation: Create visuals for progress posts (screenshots, project thumbnails, milestone banners) without a designer.

Use automation to batch posts: schedule an announcement when you start, a mid-point update, and a completion post. That keeps your network engaged and builds authority over time. Learn more about automated LinkedIn growth on our Pillar page: LinkedIn Growth & Personal Branding.

Checklist: Add an "In progress" certification in 10 minutes

1. Open profile and go to "Licenses & certifications."
2. Create new entry and add certification name + "(In progress)" or expected date.
3. Select issuing organization and link it if possible.
4. Set issue date to start month and add expected completion in description.
5. Add a credential URL or project link if available.
6. Save and verify how it appears on your profile (mobile + desktop).
7. Schedule 3 posts: announcement, mid-progress, and wrap-up—use automation if you prefer.

Examples & mini case studies

"I added 'In progress' for a cloud certification and shared bi-weekly micro-lessons. Three hiring managers reached out within a month—one for a short consult and two for informational chats." — Product Manager, SaaS startup

Example timeline: Start (May) → Announcement post + added to profile → Share module learnings every 2 weeks → Midpoint project demo (Aug) → Final completion post (Nov). Each post is tailored to your audience and scheduled with an automation tool to save time.

Related resources (internal links)

• AI Content Automation — How automation creates authentic LinkedIn posts.
• Creating a LinkedIn content calendar — Plan your certification updates into a larger strategy.
• Content Strategy for Professionals — Align certification posts with your thought leadership.

Ready to save time and share progress consistently? Try Linkesy free to auto-generate a month of posts that match your voice and schedule them on autopilot. See our plans at Linkesy.

FAQs

Can I list a certification as "In progress" on LinkedIn?

Yes. LinkedIn doesn't have a native "In progress" field, so the accepted approach is to add "(In progress)" or an expected completion date in the certification name or description to make your status clear.

Will listing an "In progress" certification hurt my credibility?

Not if you’re transparent. Use an expected completion date, mention what you’re learning, and avoid implying completed competency. Share progress posts to demonstrate real work and results.

Should I add a future issue date for expected completion?

Avoid setting a future issue date without context. Instead, set the issue date to when you started and state the expected completion date in the name or description.

How can I prove progress on the certification?

Add a public credential URL, link to a course dashboard, share project deliverables in your Featured section, and publish micro-lessons as posts to show tangible progress.

Can automation tools help with certification announcements?

Yes. Tools like Linkesy generate voice-matched posts, create visuals, and schedule a 30-day content calendar so you can announce milestones consistently without manual effort.

Conclusion & next steps

Adding an "In progress" certification on LinkedIn is a low-effort, high-impact way to show professional growth. Use clear naming, realistic dates, and short descriptions to communicate status. Then amplify the signal by publishing short updates and showcasing projects. If you want to automate that process—generate posts, images, and a ready-to-publish calendar—try Linkesy free or see our plans to run your LinkedIn personal brand on autopilot.

Next steps: Add your certification following the 10-minute checklist above, schedule a kickoff announcement, and plan two follow-up updates. Keep the copy honest, useful, and aligned to your content pillars to convert views into meaningful connections.