Adobe Certified Professional benefits

In partnership with Certiport, Adobe offers industry-recognized certifications that demonstrate mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud apps. Becoming an Adobe Certified Professional validates that you have the practical skills and knowledge to use the world's leading creative tools.

Benefits for creative professionals and job seekers

Stand out in today's competitive market and accelerate your creative career:

  • Get noticed by employers:
    ‍    77% of organizations actively seek candidates with professional certifications.
  • Gain trusted recognition:
    ‍    Professional certifications rank as the third most trusted sign of creative skills, with 75% of hiring managers relying on them to identify qualified candidates.
  • Demonstrate commitment:
    ‍    53% of hiring managers say credentialed candidates demonstrate commitment to professional development. 
  • Command higher compensation:
    ‍    74% of hiring managers believe candidates with creative credentials deserve higher compensation.
  • Verify future-proof skills: Show employers you've mastered the capabilities ranked most critical by the World Economic Forum: technological literacy (#3), creative thinking (#4), and curiosity and lifelong learning (#6).
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Benefits for Employers
Build stronger creative teams with verified talent and reduce hiring costs:
  • Streamline candidate assessment: 81% of hiring managers find it easier to assess candidates through digital credentials. 
  • Identify high-quality talent: 80% of hiring managers say credentials signal high-quality candidates for creative roles.
  • Upskill cost-effectively: 80% of employers view credentials as a cost-effective way to help employees increase skills outside of organizational training.
  • Build adaptable teams: Credentialed employees are seen as lifelong learners who can adapt with evolving skills, which is essential as 44% of workers' core skills are expected to change in the next five years. 
  • Close skills gaps: Addressing the talent barrier is cited by 60% of businesses as critical for industry transformation.
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Benefits for Students
Prepare for the future with the skills employers value most:
  • Stand out to employers: 77% of organizations actively seek candidates with Creative Cloud certifications. 
  • Gain competitive advantage early: Display your Adobe credentials on LinkedIn and resumes while still in school, proving your technical competency before entering the job market.
  • Validate your skills: Show that you have the skills ranked most important by the World Economic Forum: technological literacy (#3) creative thinking (#4), and curiosity and lifelong learning (#6). 
  • Earn college credit: Adobe Certified Professional certifications are endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE) for college credit. 
  • Take advantage of student discounts: Certification exams are offered for free on many college campuses and promotional discounts are often available through Certiport and Adobe. 
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Benefits for Educators
Inspire learning and positively impact student outcomes:
  • Prove program impact: Industry-recognized certifications offer objective, data-driven evidence of student success, demonstrating the real-world value of your program.
  • Improve academic performance: Certified high school students achieve significantly higher GPAs (3.12 vs. 2.78 on a 4.0 scale) compared to non-certified students. 
  • Increase graduation rates: Certified students graduate at significantly higher rates (97.5% vs. 78.4%) than their non-certified peers.
  • Boost post-secondary enrollment: 84% of certified students enroll in post-secondary education compared to 82% of non-certified students. 
  • Reduce dropout risk: Certified students have significantly lower dropout rates (0.2% vs. 1.0%) — an 80% reduction in dropout risk.
  • Build student confidence: Certification improves student confidence, a key benefit identified in research on certification outcomes. 
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Get started

Take an online exam through Certiport’s OnVUE remote option, or in-person at a Certiport Authorized Testing Center near you. Students: Check with your school or university to see if certifications are available to you at no cost.

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Available credentials for Adobe Creative Cloud

Explore certifications to boost your career and stand out to employers.

Creative Skills Series

Short, self-paced courses on maximizing Adobe Express and Creative Cloud for career success

For job seekers and students.

No prior experience required

Availability

Authority

Adobe

BADGE by

Credly

50 short courses

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Career Certificates

Adobe + Coursera courses teaching design fundamentals and technical skills for creative careers

For job seekers and students.

No prior experience required

Availability

Authority

Adobe
Coursera

BADGE BY

Credly

Available for 3 creative fields

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Professional Certifications

Industry-recognized certifications demonstrating mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud software

150 hours of app experience recommended

For professionals,  job seekers & students

Availability

Authority

Adobe
Certiport

BADGE by

Credly

Available for 10 Adobe apps

Icon for Content Creation & Marketing Using Adobe Express CredentialIcon for Document Creation & Management using Adobe Acrobat Pro CredentialIcon for Visual Design Using Adobe Photoshop credentialIcon for Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator CredentialIcon for Print & Digital Media Publication Using Adobe InDesign CredentialIcon for Web Authoring Using Adobe Dreamweaver CredentialIcon for Digital Video Using Adobe Premiere ProIcon for Multi Platform Animation Using Adobe AnimateIcon for Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Using Adobe After Effects
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Specialty Credentials

Awarded when two related Professional Certifications are completed

300 hours of app experience recommended

For Professionals,  Job seekers & Students

Availability

Authority

Adobe
Certiport

BADGE by

Credly

6 credentials available

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Sources

The statistics and insights cited above are drawn from three comprehensive research studies:

Frequently asked questions

How can becoming an Adobe Certified Professional boost my career and salary potential?

Earning an Adobe Certified Professional credential is a powerful signal to potential employers. It shows that you’re a high-quality candidate with demonstrated creative problem-solving skills. Plus, 74% of hiring managers agree that candidates with these verified visual design skills deserve higher compensation. Whether you’re seeking a promotion, a new job, or freelance clients, the certification validates your expertise and can directly influence your earning power.

Discover even more benefits of becoming an Adobe Certified Professional.

How can digital badges help me stand out to employers and clients?

Upon passing your exam, you’ll receive a verified digital badge from Credly that you can add to your LinkedIn profile, digital portfolio, online resume, and email signature. This isn’t just a static image; it’s a clickable credential that allows employers to instantly verify your specific skills and the rigorous standards of the exam you passed. This immediate validation builds trust and authority, making your application stand out in a crowded digital-first job market.

Can I earn college credits by passing Adobe Certified Professional exams?

Yes. The Adobe Certified Professional program has been approved by the American Council on Education (ACE), and you’re eligible to earn one college credit for each exam you pass. This provides a unique dual benefit: You’ll gain a professional industry credential to launch your career while simultaneously earning academic credit that can save you time and money on your degree.

What is the value of an "Adobe Specialty Credential"?

A Specialty Credential is an advanced recognition awarded automatically when you combine specific certifications. For example, if you earn a certification in Adobe Premiere and then pass the exam for Adobe After Effects or Adobe Photoshop, you’ll be awarded the Video Design Specialty Credential. This will demonstrate to employers that you possess multi-disciplinary skills and can handle complex workflows that require cross-app proficiency.

Are you ready to get certified?

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Contact us

For technical and sales support, please contact our partners at Certiport using the following links.

Certiport global sales team

Learn how to purchase exams for your school or test center

Free Adobe certification tutorials

Certiport technical / customer support

For testing centers or test candidates inside the U.S.

Certiport solution Providers

For testing centers or test candidates outside the U.S.