Transitioning into a marketing or creative career can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have much experience in those areas. Fortunately, earning a relevant certification is an excellent way to build credibility, gain practical skills and demonstrate industry knowledge. Many marketing and creative and certifications are designed specifically for job seekers looking to break into the field, providing both foundational training and hands-on learning opportunities.
Are these certifications worth the time and effort? If they apply to your desired role, absolutely. Earning a certification can give you a competitive edge. And the 2025 Salary Guide From Robert Half reports that half of marketing and creative managers use professional certifications as a tool to address skills gaps within their teams. So that means accreditations can also work for those already employed in this sector but wanting to branch out in a different area.
Here are six in-demand marketing and creative certifications to consider.
1. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) certification
For transitioning into: Digital marketing, web analytics
What it is: It’s a qualification from Google that certifies you know how to use their analytics platform; course materials and videos provided online.
Why it’s valuable: GA4 is the industry standard for web analytics—nearly every company uses it, so the skills are highly transferable.
What it covers: GA4 basics, the different types of analytics reports on the platform, using GA4 to answer common business questions and combining GA4 with other tools
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: Around five hours of study time, followed by an exam; certification valid for 12 months
Cost: Free
2. Google Ads certification
For transitioning into: Digital marketing, digital project management
What it is: It’s a digital marketing certification from Google that validates your expertise in creating and managing digital advertising campaigns. Course materials and videos are provided online.
Why it’s valuable: It’s a globally recognized certification that demonstrates you have knowledge in paid advertising strategies.
What it covers: Five specialized modules, including search ads, display ads, video ads, shopping ads and apps ads. They’re structured as standalone components, so you can take the ones that are most relevant to you. Each module teaches key skills, including marketing strategies, budgeting, maximizing reach and performance optimization.
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: It takes one to four hours of study time per module. There’s a 75-minute assessment for each module with a minimum pass mark of 80%. The certification is valid for 12 months.
Cost: Free
3. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
For transitioning into: Project management
What it is: It’s a qualification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), a globally recognized professional body.
Why it’s valuable: A 2023 PMI study across 21 countries found that certified project managers earned a median salary 33% higher than non-certified project managers.
What it covers: The processes, skills, methodologies and principles of project management, including leading teams, stakeholder management and value delivery
Prerequisites: 35 hours of project management education or training, plus
With a bachelor's degree: Three years of project management experience
With a high school diploma: Five years of project management experience
Requirements: Between 100-200 study hours, which could mean up to six months if you also have an existing job. In the exam, you have 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete 180 questions.
Cost: The exam fee is $405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members. You’ll also need to purchase study materials or online prep courses.
Bonus tip: If you’re new to project management, the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), also offered by the PMI, is a better starting point.
Explore the top in-demand roles and hiring trends for 2025 to see where your new skills can take you.
4. Salesforce CRM certification
For transitioning into: Any marketing-focused role
What it is: It’s a credential offered by tech firm Salesforce validating your ability to use and manage their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. Study materials and training courses are available on Trailhead, Salesforce’s learning platform.
Why it’s valuable: It’s estimated that Salesforce is used by 90% of Fortune 500 companies, so if you’re a certified professional with in-depth knowledge of this platform, you’d be highly sought after.
What it covers: Seven different credentials, from Administrator to CPQ (Configure Price Quote) Specialist and Platform App Builder
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: 13 to 50 hours of study, depending on the credential, plus an exam
Cost: Comes in around $200 per exam attempt. You’ll also need to maintain the certification annually with training modules available on the platform.
5. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
For transitioning into: Content marketing, social media marketing, SEO (search engine optimization), marketing analytics
What it is: It’s a marketing and creative certification that teaches the fundamentals of inbound marketing—the strategy of creating and sharing content to attract customers. You can study through online video lessons on the company website.
Why it’s valuable: The certification is widely recognized in the industry and boosts your resume, especially for entry-level positions.
What it covers: Content creation, SEO basics, lead generation and nurturing, how to optimize your marketing processes
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: It takes four to five hours of online study, followed by an exam. The certification is valid for two years.
Cost: Free
Bonus tip: You may be tempted to rush through this course in an afternoon—don’t. Pause the videos and take notes, complete the practice questions and review the questions that you missed before the final exam.
6. Adobe Certified Professional (ACP)
For transitioning into: Graphic design, UI/UX design, web design, marketing
What it is: It consists of creative certifications that validate your skills in Adobe Creative Cloud apps. There are separate Adobe certifications for different products.
Why it’s valuable: Adobe apps are widely used: Over 90% of creative professionals globally use Photoshop for business, for example. These courses require you to demonstrate practical skills through hands-on experience rather than just theoretical learning, proving to employers that you’ve got the technical proficiency they need.
What it covers: Various Adobe apps, from Illustrator for graphic design to Premiere Pro for video editing
Prerequisites: None
Requirements: Around 150 hours of study and practical experience, followed by an exam.
Cost: Around $180 per exam. Adobe certifications are valid for three years.
Bonus tip: Start building your portfolio with the coursework that you’ve completed.
Discover how AI-powered skills can set you apart in the competitive creative job market.
Creative and digital marketing certifications aren’t just resume boosters. They’re powerful tools for breaking into the industry or changing jobs within the industry. Whether you’re pivoting from a different career or sharpening your skills, these credentials prove your expertise, build your confidence and help you stand out in a competitive job market. Best of all, many are low-cost or free, so the only investment is your time. If you’re serious about making the leap into a creative role, earning a certification could be the step that turns ambition into opportunity.
