🐈
» Support » Product Release Notes » New Upwork Skill Certifications
Page options

New Upwork Skill Certifications

lenaellis
Community Member

We have launched a new initiative to help freelancers showcase their expertise by earning an Upwork Skill Certification. These skill certifications highlight talent that has demonstrated competency in their field by passing a rigorous skill assessment or sample work review, evaluated by domain experts in their field.

 

Currently, Upwork Skill Certifications are available for certain skills in the Web & Mobile Software Development (WMSD) and Design & Creative fields. For WMSD, certification is a two-step process that takes 2 to 3 hours. Participants must achieve a passing score on two timed and proctored coding tests. Design & Creative talent must achieve a passing score on their Upwork portfolio, which is evaluated by a panel of third-party domain experts. You can learn more about Upwork Skill Certifications here. Given the intricacy of having skills assessed, these certifications are exclusively invite-only at this time.  

 

Upwork Skill Certifications will display on your Upwork profile in the certifications area.

 

Here is an example of a Microsoft certification on a profile. Upwork Skills Certifications will appear in a similar format but with an Upwork badge for the specialized certification. 

Sample existing certification

MS Certifications.png

Sample Upwork Skills Certification Badge

Skill Certification.png

Upwork Skill Certifications are currently available in 10 software development languages and 16 design and creative skills. 

 

Upwork Skill Certifications in Web & Mobile Software Development test for individual proficiency in a particular language or technology. Assessment methodology varies by skill, using a combination of timed, proctored tests and in some cases, technical interviews. 

 

  • Android, Java
  • Android, Kotlin
  • iOS, Objective-C
  • iOS, Swift
  • C#, Desktop Software Development
  • C++, Desktop Software Development
  • Java Back-end Development
  • JavaScript Back-end Development
  • JavaScript Front-end Development
  • PHP Back-end Development
  • Python Back-end Development
  • Ruby on Rails Back-end Development

 

Upwork Skill Certifications in Design & Creative test for an individual’s or agency’s demonstrated competency in current design best practices. A panel of 2 or more domain experts evaluates a freelancer or agency Upwork portfolio based upon several dimensions depending upon the skill. 

 

  • 2D Animation
  • 3D Animation
  • 3D Modeling *NEW*
  • Art Direction
  • Brand Identity
  • Cartooning
  • Creative Direction
  • Editorial Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
  • Image Editing
  • Motion Graphics
  • Presentation Design
  • User Experience Design
  • User Interface Design
  • Video Editing
  • Videography

 

We plan to grow the program and offer the skill assessments to more talent and in additional skill areas. You do not need to have earned a talent tier such as Top Rated or Expert-Vetted to receive an invitation. These are signals of having expertise in your field and do increase your chances of being invited, though. For the best chance of being invited, achieve and maintain a solid reputation, complete identity verification, maintain a complete and up-to-date profile that is not set to private, and have an active Upwork account in good standing. 

348 Comments
VladimirG
Community Manager

Hi Stella,

 

We agree and do understand that some freelancers will be eligible to have more than one skill certification as we continue to expand the program further. At the moment, freelancers who received and accepted the invitation will receive one free assessment. We'll keep the Community posted as we develop this program further!

ibrahim1990100
Community Member

Hello,

 

I already earned an Upwork Skill Certification. When can i see it in my profile ?

 

Regards

smkiger
Community Member

A skill assessment certification that is offered to a select few by invitation?  This makes absolutely no sense. So UpWork decides who get to have the advantage? 

 

That is not any equal opportunity. Why is this not available to all Freelancers? 

kochubei_valeria
Community Member

Hi Michael,

 

Thanks for sharing your feedback. Skill Certification is a new program and it is only available by invite at the moment. While currently we have 10 skill certifications in the Web  & Mobile Software Development and 16 in Design & Creative categories, we hope to expand skill certifications to other categories in the future. New freelancers can also be invited to apply for the skills certification. For the best chance of being invited in the future,  we suggest freelancers achieve a solid reputation, keep a complete and up-to-date profile that is not set to private, and maintain an active Upwork account in good standing.

arsalanodesk
Community Member

How do I get Creative & Desing Certificate?

smkiger
Community Member
Regarding my certifications listed on Upwork they are from LinkedIn
Learning.
VladimirG
Community Manager

Hi Arsalan,

 

Thanks for your question. At this time you cannot request to be invited. For the best chance of being invited in the future,  we suggest freelancers achieve a solid reputation, keep a complete and up-to-date profile that is not set to private, and maintain an active Upwork account in good standing. 

248c8c0b
Community Member

is this only php backend or frameworks also included ...?

VladimirG
Community Manager

Hi Tamim,

 

Thanks for asking. I can confirm the test is PHP Back-end-related only. We're working to update the Help article to make this clear.

2a05aa63
Community Member

<removed>