Proctored vs Non-Proctored Examinations
There are many IT certifications available online, but some of these certificates can earn with non-proctored examinations, meaning that you can get the certificates simply by watching a few videos or taking a quiz with unlimited retries. However, some of the certificates listed on this page are proctored but still free. Proctored Examinations certificates are more widely recognized compared to non-proctored.
Proctored examinations are supervised assessments conducted under strict security measures to ensure exam integrity, featuring identity verification through government-issued ID or biometric authentication, live monitoring by human proctors or AI-powered surveillance systems, and controlled testing environments in physical test centers or secure online platforms. These exams restrict access to external resources, enforce time limits with anti-cheating measures, and typically allow single attempts or limited retries. In contrast,
non-proctored assessments are self-paced online evaluations without supervision that require no identity verification, offer unlimited retries in most cases, often permit access to external resources, and allow completion at your own pace and location as part of online courses or training modules. Proctored certifications carry significantly more weight in the industry because they provide verifiable proof of knowledge and skills under controlled conditions, making them more trusted by employers and peers compared to their non-proctored counterparts.
Rating on this page is subjective, based on the value of the certificate and its recognition according to my knowledge.
💡 Pro Tip
Focus on proctored certifications first - they carry significantly more weight with employers and are worth the extra effort!
Proctored
Cybersecurity
🏆 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) from ISC2
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) is an entry-level credential issued by the world-renowned ISC2 (International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium). Additionally, ISC2 issues other notable certificates, such as CISSP and CCSK, which are widely accepted by industries.
The certificate is free since 2022. After registration, you’ll receive a free self-learning course with pre- and post-course assessments. It is possible to pass the exam without taking any additional courses. The examination center where you’ll be taking the test has high-security features, including biometric authentication methods like palm scanning – so don’t let it catch you off guard and get nervous!
⚠️ Exam Day Reminders
- Bring valid government-issued ID for biometric verification
- You CANNOT review answers after submission - double-check before submitting!
- Palm scanning may be required - don't be surprised!
Free exam but don’t get too excited! You’ll still need to shell out $50 a year for the privilege of holding on to that shiny new certification.
💰 Annual Fee Alert
While the exam is free, maintaining this certification requires a $50 annual fee. Budget accordingly!
Get started today! Certified in Cybersecurity from ISC2
Pros:
- Well recognized
- The exam is taken at an exam center
Cons:
- An annual fee is required for the certification
| Certification | USD 50/year |
| Renewal | USD 50/year |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Cloud
🏆 Google Cloud Certifications
Google Cloud offers free training through its “Get Certified in 2025” program, an initiative exclusive to Google Cloud customers. This program provides structured learning paths to build skills in cloud computing, with a commitment of up to 9 hours per week over 9 to 11 weeks across multiple cohorts in 2025. Participants can access over 980 labs and courses on Google Cloud Skills Boost at no cost. Previous iterations of the program, such as in 2024 and 2025, have offered free exam vouchers, covering costs for certifications like Associate Cloud Engineer and Professional Cloud Architect.
Start your journey with Google Cloud certifications:
https://cloud.google.com/innovators/getcertified (requires sign-in)
Pros:
- Free high-quality training and labs via Google Cloud Skills Boost
- Potential for free exam vouchers based on past program iterations
- Well recognized in the industry
Cons:
- Exclusive to Google Cloud customers with corporate email
- Exam vouchers not guaranteed for 2025; fees may apply
📧 Eligibility Requirement
This program requires a corporate email address as a Google Cloud customer. Personal Gmail accounts won't qualify.
| Certification | Free training; potential free vouchers |
| Renewal | Retake exam or continuous learning |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Non-Proctored
📝 About Non-Proctored Certifications
These certifications are easier to obtain but carry less weight in the job market. They're excellent for learning but may not impress employers as much as proctored alternatives.
Cybersecurity
💰 Cisco Certificate in Ethical Hacking
Cisco NetAcad offers a comprehensive Certificate in Ethical Hacking with 70 hours of excellent training materials covering penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking methodologies.
https://www.netacad.com/courses/ethical-hacker
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | N/A |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
DevOps
💰 GitLab University Courses
GitLab University provides free non-proctored courses covering GitLab fundamentals, migration guides, GitLab Duo, Agile Portfolio Management, CI/CD, and Security best practices. These courses offer comprehensive learning without formal certification.
https://university.gitlab.com/
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | N/A |
| Value | ⭐⭐ |
Database
💰 Neo4j Certifications
Neo4j offers free certifications including Neo4j Certified Professional and Graph Data Science Certification. These validate skills in graph database management, Cypher query language, and graph data science techniques.
https://graphacademy.neo4j.com/certifications/neo4j-certification/
https://graphacademy.neo4j.com/certifications/gds-certification/
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | N/A |
| Value | ⭐⭐ |
SRE
💰 New Relic Verified Foundation
New Relic Verified Foundation covers comprehensive observability training including Observability Fundamentals, New Relic Platform UI and Capabilities, Configuring Data, Performance Monitoring, and Full Stack Observability Practices.
https://learn.newrelic.com/page/new-relic-verified-foundation-nvf
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | N/A |
| Value | ⭐⭐ |
Project Management
💰 Six Sigma White Belt
The Six Sigma White Belt Certificate from Six Sigma Online is a foundational certification that introduces learners to the principles and methodologies of Six Sigma, a data-driven approach to quality improvement. To earn this certification, students must pass a multiple-choice examination, but do not have to demonstrate their skills with a proctored test or project application. As a result, the rating for this certificate is relatively low compared to other certificates listed on this page. Nevertheless, the White Belt Certificate still provides a solid introduction to the concepts of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC), as well as an overview of its application in various industries.
https://www.sixsigmaonline.org/six-sigma-white-belt-certification/
Pros:
- 100% Free
Cons:
- Relatively less well recognized
- Online quiz
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | Never expires |
| Value | ⭐ |
Education
💰 Google for Education
Google for Education offers free certifications including Gemini Educator and Gemini University Student. These certifications demonstrate understanding of Gemini and responsible integration of Google AI for enhanced productivity, student success, and innovative learning experiences.
https://educertifications.google/
Pros:
- 100% Free
- Focus on AI integration in education
- Google-backed certification
Cons:
- Non-proctored
- Limited to education sector
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | N/A |
| Value | ⭐⭐ |
Online Marketing
💰 Google on SkillShop
Google Free Certificates on SkillShop are a series of certifications designed by Google and made available on the online learning platform, SkillShop. These certifications demonstrate your knowledge and skills in specific areas related to Google products and technologies, such as digital analytics, advertising, and data visualization. The training resources are free. Although the knowledge you learn is related to Google’s products, it still provides a good chance to understand how those products utilize artificial intelligence.
https://skillshop.exceedlms.com/
Pros:
- 100% Free
- Over 20 certificates
- The company is well-known
Cons:
- Online quiz
- Knowledge is related to Google’s products
| Certification | Free |
| Renewal | 1 year |
| Value | ⭐⭐ |
Summary
| Category | Name | Exam | Certification | Renewal | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) | Free | USD 50/year | USD 50/year | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cybersecurity | Cisco Ethical Hacking | Free | Free | N/A | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| DevOps | GitLab Certified Associate | Free | Free | 3 years | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| DevOps | GitLab University Courses | Free | Free | N/A | ⭐⭐ |
| Database | Neo4j Certifications | Free | Free | N/A | ⭐⭐ |
| SRE | New Relic Verified Foundation | Free | Free | N/A | ⭐⭐ |
| Cloud | Google Cloud | Free | Free | 2 years | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Education | Google for Education | Free | Free | N/A | ⭐⭐ |
| Marketing | Google Ad | Free | Free | 1 year | ⭐⭐ |
| Project Management | Six Sigma White Belt | Free | Free | Never expires | ⭐ |
There are other repositories that maintain lists of free IT certificates:
https://github.com/cloudcommunity/Free-Certifications