You don’t need a certification for every job in North America. But for certain industries and roles, the right credential is the difference between getting an interview and getting filtered out before a human sees your application.
This guide breaks down the certifications that carry real hiring weight across the US and Canada, organized by industry. You’ll learn what each one costs, how long it takes, and whether the investment is worth it for your career goals.
How Certifications Work Differently in the US and Canada
The US and Canada share many professional certification frameworks, but the differences matter. Some credentials are universally recognized across both countries. Others are country-specific or require additional steps to transfer.
The US relies heavily on industry-specific professional bodies for certification. There’s no single national framework. Instead, each profession has its own governing body, its own exams, and its own renewal requirements.
Canada uses a provincial licensing model for many regulated professions. An engineer licensed in Ontario needs to apply separately to practice in British Columbia. A nurse registered in Alberta can’t automatically practice in Quebec. This provincial structure adds complexity, especially for professionals who work across provinces.
If you’re entering the North American job market, understanding these distinctions will help you target the right credentials for your specific location and industry.
Technology
AWS Certifications
AWS holds the largest cloud market share in North America, and AWS certifications are the most frequently requested cloud credentials in job postings across both the US and Canada.
The entry point is AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100 USD exam). From there, the associate-level certifications branch into three tracks: Solutions Architect, Developer, and SysOps Administrator. Each associate exam costs $150 USD. Professional-level certs cost $300 USD.
According to the Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, AWS-certified professionals in North America earn 12-25% more than non-certified peers in equivalent roles. The Solutions Architect Associate is the single most valuable certification for cloud roles.
CompTIA Certifications
CompTIA runs the most recognized vendor-neutral IT certifications in North America. The three that matter most are:
CompTIA A+: The baseline IT support certification. Required for many help desk and desktop support roles. Two exams, $246 USD each. Good for breaking into IT without a degree.
CompTIA Network+: Covers networking fundamentals. One exam, $358 USD. Required or preferred for network administrator and junior network engineer roles.
CompTIA Security+: The most widely recognized entry-level security certification. One exam, $392 USD. Required for US Department of Defense IT positions under DoD Directive 8570/8140. If you want to work in government security or defense contracting, Security+ is mandatory.
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
CISSP from ISC2 is the gold standard for information security professionals in North America. It requires five years of paid work experience in at least two of eight security domains, passing an adaptive exam (100-150 questions, 3 hours), and endorsement by an existing CISSP holder.
The exam costs $749 USD. Study time is typically 200-400 hours for experienced security professionals. Annual maintenance fees are $125 USD, plus 40 continuing professional education credits per year.
CISSP holders in the US earn a median salary of approximately $130,000-$150,000, according to ISC2’s workforce studies. In Canada, the figure is roughly CAD $120,000-$140,000. For senior security roles at major enterprises and financial institutions, CISSP is effectively required.
PMP (Project Management Professional)
The PMP from the Project Management Institute is the most recognized project management certification worldwide and North America is its strongest market. PMI is headquartered in the US, and the PMP is deeply embedded in American and Canadian corporate culture.
Requirements: a four-year degree plus three years of project management experience, or a secondary degree plus five years of experience. You also need 35 hours of project management education. The exam costs $405 USD for PMI members ($555 for non-members).
PMP is valued across virtually every industry: tech, construction, healthcare, finance, manufacturing and government. The US federal government in particular treats PMP as a preferred or required qualification for project management positions at GS-12 and above.
In Canada, PMP is equally respected. It’s recognized by the Canadian government and is commonly listed in federal government job postings on the GC Jobs portal.
Scrum and Agile Certifications
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) from Scrum Alliance requires a two-day training course ($1,000-$1,500 USD) and passing an online exam. It’s the most common Agile certification in North American tech companies.
Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) from Scrum.org is an alternative that doesn’t require a training course. The exam alone costs $150 USD and is self-study. Some employers prefer PSM because it’s harder to pass, but CSM has wider name recognition.
Healthcare
Registered Nurse (RN)
In the US, becoming an RN requires passing the NCLEX-RN exam after completing either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The exam costs $200 USD plus state-specific fees. Each state has its own Board of Nursing and you need a license from the state where you practice.
The Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) allows RNs to practice in 41 participating states with a single license. Non-compact states like California, New York and Massachusetts require separate applications.
In Canada, nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN (adopted from the US) or the REX-PN for practical nurses and register with their provincial regulatory body. Quebec uses its own exam administered by the Ordre des infirmieres et infirmiers du Quebec.
Medical Board Certifications
US physicians must pass the USMLE (Steps 1, 2 and 3) for allopathic medicine or COMLEX for osteopathic medicine, complete a residency, and obtain state-specific medical licenses. Board certification through specialty boards (e.g., American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Surgery) is not legally required but is effectively mandatory for hospital privileges and insurance network participation.
Canadian physicians take the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Parts I and II and obtain provincial licenses. Specialty certification comes through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
CNAs need state-approved training (75-180 hours depending on the state) and must pass a competency exam. The total cost is typically $500-$1,500 USD. CNA certification provides an entry point into healthcare and is one of the fastest certifications to earn.
CPR/BLS Certification
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association is required for virtually all clinical healthcare roles in the US and Canada. The course is four hours, costs $50-$80 and must be renewed every two years. Non-clinical healthcare workers and many non-healthcare roles also require or prefer it.
Finance and Accounting
CPA (Certified Public Accountant) - United States
The US CPA is governed by individual state boards of accountancy. Requirements vary by state, but the general framework includes 150 semester hours of college education (more than a standard bachelor’s degree), passing the four-part Uniform CPA Examination and one to two years of supervised experience.
The four exam sections cost approximately $800-$1,000 total in exam fees, plus state application fees. Most candidates spend 300-400 hours studying.
The CPA is the single most valuable credential in US accounting. It’s required for signing audit opinions and most senior accounting positions at public companies, Big Four firms, and government agencies require or strongly prefer it.
CPA Canada
Canada unified its accounting designations in 2014, merging the CA (Chartered Accountant), CGA (Certified General Accountant) and CMA (Certified Management Accountant) into a single CPA designation. The CPA certification program includes graduate-level education modules, a two-day Common Final Examination (CFE), and 30 months of practical experience.
Canadian CPA and US CPA have mutual recognition agreements, making it relatively straightforward to obtain the other country’s credential if you already hold one.
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
The CFA is the most respected credential in investment management across North America. The three-level exam process takes a minimum of two and a half years. Each exam costs $900-$1,200 USD. You need 4,000 hours of relevant investment experience.
CFA holders dominate portfolio management, equity research and risk management roles at major firms. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, BlackRock, and the major Canadian banks (RBC, TD, BMO) all value the CFA for investment-facing roles.
Series Licenses (FINRA)
In the US, anyone who sells securities must hold the appropriate FINRA license. The most common are:
Series 7 (General Securities Representative): Required to sell stocks, bonds, options and mutual funds. The exam is 125 questions over 225 minutes. You must be sponsored by a FINRA-member firm to sit for the exam.
Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam): Required in addition to the Series 7 in most states. Covers state securities regulations.
Series 66: Combines the Series 63 and Series 65 (investment adviser) exams into one. Required for professionals who act as both broker-dealers and investment advisers.
Canada doesn’t use the FINRA system. Instead, the Canadian Securities Course (CSC) from the Canadian Securities Institute is the baseline requirement for securities industry registration.
Engineering
PE (Professional Engineer) - United States
The PE license is the most important credential for engineers in the US. It’s required for any engineer who provides services directly to the public and for signing off on engineering drawings and reports.
The path to PE includes a four-year ABET-accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, four years of progressive engineering experience under a licensed PE and passing the PE exam in your discipline.
Each state has its own PE licensing board. Reciprocity exists through NCEES, but you need to apply in each state where you want to practice. The FE exam costs $175 USD. The PE exam costs $375 USD.
P.Eng (Professional Engineer) - Canada
Canada’s engineering licensing is managed by provincial regulators (e.g., PEO in Ontario, APEGA in Alberta, Engineers and Geoscientists BC). The requirements are similar to the US PE: an accredited degree, work experience (typically four years), passing a professional practice exam and demonstrating competence.
International engineering graduates must have their credentials assessed by the relevant provincial body. The process can take six months to two years and sometimes requires additional coursework or exams.
FE (Fundamentals of Engineering)
The FE exam is the first step toward PE licensure. It’s taken during or immediately after completing an engineering degree. Passing the FE earns you the EIT (Engineer in Training) or EI (Engineer Intern) designation, which signals to employers that you’re on the path to licensure.
For entry-level engineering roles, having the FE/EIT on your resume differentiates you from candidates who haven’t taken it. It shows initiative and commitment to the profession.
Trades and Skilled Labor
OSHA Certifications (US)
OSHA 10-Hour and OSHA 30-Hour certifications are the baseline safety training credentials for US construction and general industry workers.
OSHA 10: Required on many construction sites. Costs $25-$90 for online courses. Covers basic hazard identification, workers’ rights and employer responsibilities.
OSHA 30: Required for site supervisors and foremen. More detailed coverage of safety regulations. Costs $60-$190.
Neither OSHA 10 nor OSHA 30 expires, but many employers require them to have been completed within the last five years.
Red Seal Certification (Canada)
The Red Seal program is Canada’s interprovincial standard for skilled trades. It allows tradespeople certified in one province to work in any other province without additional testing.
There are more than 50 Red Seal trades, including electrician, plumber, carpenter, welder and automotive service technician. To earn the Red Seal, you complete a provincial apprenticeship and pass the interprovincial Red Seal exam.
The Red Seal is highly valued by Canadian employers because it demonstrates a nationally standardized skill level. For tradespeople, it’s the most important credential on their resume.
CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) - US
A CDL is required for operating commercial vehicles over 26,001 pounds (Class A), carrying 16+ passengers (Class B), or hauling hazardous materials. Training costs $3,000-$7,000 and takes three to seven weeks.
The demand for CDL holders in the US remains high due to a persistent driver shortage. Median pay for long-haul truck drivers is approximately $50,000-$60,000, with experienced drivers at high-demand carriers earning $80,000+.
AZ/DZ License (Canada)
Canada’s equivalent commercial driving licenses vary by province but generally align as AZ (tractor-trailer) and DZ (straight truck) in Ontario, or Class 1 and Class 3 in western provinces. Training and testing requirements are similar to the US CDL.
Real Estate
Real Estate License (US)
Each US state has its own real estate licensing requirements. Generally, you need 60-180 hours of pre-licensing education, passing a state-specific exam and sponsorship by a licensed broker. Costs range from $500-$2,000 for education and exam fees.
Real Estate License (Canada)
Canadian provinces manage real estate licensing independently. Ontario requires completion of courses through the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). British Columbia uses the BC Financial Services Authority. Requirements and costs are similar to US licensing.
How to List Certifications on Your Resume
Placement and Formatting
For roles where a specific certification is a primary qualifier (PE for engineers, RN for nurses, CPA for accountants), put the credential after your name at the top of the resume: “Jane Smith, PE” or “John Doe, CPA, CFA.”
Create a Certifications section below Education. List each certification with its full name, abbreviation, issuing body and date earned. Include expiration dates for time-limited credentials.
Example entries:
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute, 2022 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISC2, 2021 AWS Solutions Architect Associate, Amazon Web Services, 2023 (expires 2026) Professional Engineer (PE), State of California Board for Professional Engineers, License #12345, Current
US vs. Canada Formatting Notes
If you hold credentials in both countries, list them separately and specify the jurisdiction. “CPA (US, State of New York)” and “CPA (Canada, CPA Ontario)” remove ambiguity.
For trades, specify whether you hold Red Seal certification (Canada) or the relevant state license (US). If you’re applying across the border, note any reciprocity agreements that apply to your credentials.
Choosing Which Certifications to Pursue
Search job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor for your target role. Count how many listings mention each certification. The ones that appear in more than 30% of relevant postings are worth pursuing. The ones that appear in less than 10% are optional.
Talk to hiring managers, not just recruiters. Recruiters filter by keywords. Hiring managers know which certifications translate to actual job performance and which are checkbox exercises.
Consider the return on investment. A $400 CompTIA Security+ exam that opens doors to $70,000+ government IT jobs has a vastly different ROI than a $5,000 certification program for a niche skill with limited job postings.
1Template’s resume builder lets you position certifications prominently and format them for maximum ATS compatibility, so the credentials you’ve worked hard to earn actually get noticed.
Key Takeaways
North American certifications range from legally required (PE, RN, CDL) to competitively expected (PMP, CPA, CISSP) to optional-but-valuable (AWS, CFA, CSM). Your industry determines which category each certification falls into.
The US and Canada share many certification frameworks but differ in licensing structure. US licensing is mostly state-by-state. Canadian licensing is provincial with some federal standardization through programs like Red Seal.
Prioritize certifications that appear frequently in job postings for your target role. Get the required ones first, add the competitively expected ones next and pursue the optional ones when you’re ready to differentiate yourself from an already-qualified field.
