- Free but Well-Recognized IT Certificates
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud
- SRE
- Project Management
- Online Marketing
- Summary
Free but Well-Recognized IT Certificates
There are many IT certifications available online, but some of these certificates are too easy to obtain, meaning that you can get them simply by watching a few videos or taking a quiz with unlimited retries. However, some of the certificates listed on this page have a higher entry level, and you need to take and pass an examination with a proctor before being issued the certification. This is why these certificates are more widely recognized compared to others.
Rating on this page is subjective, based on the value of the certificate and its recognition according to my knowledge.
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! Another important point to note: once you’ve submitted your answers, you won’t be able to review them later – so make sure to double-check everything before hitting submit!
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.
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
AliCloud
Alibaba Cloud’s free certificate campaign has evolved over the years. As of this moment, participants have the opportunity to compete for an ACA exam coupon by engaging in their monthly courses. The ACA certification serves as the foundational level among Alibaba Cloud’s certifications, which also include ACP (Professional) and ACE (Expert). To earn a free certificate, individuals participate in Alibaba Cloud’s courses, with the top three attendees each month receiving the coveted coupon.
Start registering free course:
https://edu.alibabacloud.com/training/upcoming_classroom_training
| Certification | Free (for top 3 attendees every month) |
| Renewal | Retake exam |
| Value | ⭐⭐⭐ |
SRE
New Relic Full Stack Observability Exam
https://learn.newrelic.com/full-stack-observability-exam
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 | ⭐ |
Online Marketing
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 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cloud | Alibaba Cloud | Free | Free | Retake every 2 years | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 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