New Upwork Skill Certifications

[lenaellis]

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

Sample Upwork Skills Certification Badge

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. 

[BojanS]

Hi Muhammad,

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.

Thank you! 

[rakibguru]

Hello there,

How I can apply for Upwork certifications? Could you please guide me?

Thanks

Rakib

[cdc8f4c4]

What if I fail the coding test? Will it affect my current skill profile? Pl clarify, if yes then pl email the the details how?

[marabua]

**Edited for Community Guidelines**

This is absolutely inacceptable.

[AleksandarD]

Hi Mariana,

I will look into this further and will get back to you once I have more information.

Thank you

[kinector]

What did you expect? 😬

[AleksandarD]

Hi Mariana,

Thanks for waiting patiently. I checked with the team and can confirm that the email you're referring to is coming from Upwork. For more information about the program, you can check this help article, or simply follow up on the email and the team will assist you with any questions you might have. I'll also merge your post in the announcement thread where you can find more information.

Thank you.

[marabua]

Thanks for your response.

I believe that if you have some news to pitch freelancers you should do so through the website or app. Sending an unverified email with a name that doesn't appear anywhere on the internet and using third-party forms to gather further information looks like lazy process-developing.

Not to mention that I have already erased that email because it was highly suspicious, so I'll have to go through the site all over again.

Maybe this situations helps to improve comms between Upwork and the freelance community.

Cheers!

[cmpghost123]

Hi,

How does the code test work for upwork you have to be invited?

[PradeepH]

Hi Craig,

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. You can find more information on how to prepare for the test here. Let us know if you have further questions.

Thank you.

Pradeep.