In short: never rely on a PDF or a photo of a certificate. Ask for the verification link or ID, open it on the issuer's own website, and check the name, the date and the status. It takes two minutes and protects you from the most common CV problems.
A CV that lists AZ-104, CCNA or RHCSA looks impressive. But anyone can edit a PDF, and certificate templates are easy to copy. The good news is that almost every reputable issuer now offers a free way to check.
The two-minute checklist
- Ask for the verification link or credential ID, not the PDF. A genuine holder can send it in seconds.
- Open it yourself on the issuer's website. Type the address or scan the QR code with your phone; do not trust a link that leads to an unfamiliar site.
- Match the name with the candidate's ID or LinkedIn profile.
- Check the date and the status. Many certifications expire or need renewal; a revoked credential should show as revoked.
- Note what was actually certified. "Attended a workshop" is not the same as "passed the exam".
Where to verify the common IT certifications
| Issuer | What to ask the candidate for |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | A shared transcript or credential link from their Microsoft Learn profile |
| AWS, Cisco, VMware and many others | A digital badge link (often on Credly) or the vendor's own verification number |
| Red Hat | The certification ID, checked on Red Hat's verification page |
| INFOTICS Academy | The credential ID or QR code, checked at infotics.edu.pk/verify |
Vendors change their tools from time to time, so if a method above does not work, search the vendor's site for "certification verification".
Training certificates vs vendor certifications
Both are useful, but they prove different things:
- A vendor certification (Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, Red Hat, VMware) is earned in the vendor's own exam.
- A training certificate or badge from an institute shows the person completed a course and its assessment.
The strongest candidates have both: proof of training and proof of certification.
Red flags
- The candidate cannot send a verification link, only a picture.
- The "verification site" is unknown or misspelled.
- The certificate has no ID, no date or no issuer address.
- The skills described in the interview do not match the certification level.
A real-world example
A company is hiring a cloud administrator. One candidate lists "Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate" and attaches a neat PDF. The recruiter asks for the credential link. The candidate sends a Microsoft Learn transcript link the same day; the name matches, the certification is active, and the renewal date is next year. Ten minutes of work, and the hiring manager now walks into the interview knowing the certification is real.
A second candidate lists the same certification but can only send a screenshot, and later admits the exam was "booked but not taken yet". Neither outcome needs a confrontation. The process is simply the same for everyone, and it is written into the hiring checklist.
Tip for HR teams: add a column "credential verified (yes/no, date)" to your candidate tracker. It makes the check routine, protects your company in audits, and shows candidates that their genuine work is taken seriously.
How INFOTICS credentials work
Every INFOTICS certificate, digital badge and letter has a unique ID and a QR code. The verification page shows the holder's name, the course or skill, the issue date and the live status, free for anyone. If you are hiring and would like your team trained on the same standard, see training for companies.
The two-minute verification checklist
For an HR team or hiring manager, confirming an IT certificate before the interview takes about two minutes and saves a lot of wasted time. A simple checklist:
- Look for a verification link or QR code on the certificate or badge. Most modern credentials carry one that opens an official page showing the holder, the credential and its status.
- Check the vendor's own verification portal. The big issuers let anyone confirm a credential directly: Red Hat (the Red Hat certification verification page), Microsoft (certification profile / transcript sharing), Cisco (the tracking system), AWS (the badge/credential link), VMware. A real certification can be confirmed on the vendor's own site.
- Match the details — the name on the credential matches the candidate, the credential ID is valid, and the issue and (where relevant) expiry dates make sense.
If those three line up on an official vendor or badge page, the certificate is genuine.
Red flags, and why digital badges help
A few warning signs are worth a second look:
- No verification link or portal — a certificate that cannot be verified anywhere independent should be treated cautiously.
- A name or ID that does not match, or a credential that has expired.
- A claim that the vendor's own site cannot confirm.
This is where digital badges (for example via Credly) help both sides: they are verifiable by design, each with its own permanent link showing exactly who earned what and when, so there is nothing to fake. For employers, asking a candidate for the badge link is the fastest check of all. INFOTICS issues verifiable certificates and digital badges for its programmes — each with a public verification link and QR code — so an employer can confirm a graduate's credential in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to verify a candidate's certificate?
Verifying a credential through the issuer's public verification page is normal practice and uses information the holder chose to share. Follow your company's privacy policy and only check what is relevant to the role.
What if the certification has expired?
An expired certification still shows the person once passed the exam, but it may not meet a requirement for a current one. Ask whether they plan to renew; many vendors offer free online renewal.
Can digital badges be faked?
A picture of a badge can be faked. A badge link that opens on the issuer's own website, showing the holder's name and status, is much harder to fake. Always open the link yourself.
How do I verify an INFOTICS certificate?
Enter the credential ID or scan the QR code at infotics.edu.pk/verify. The page shows the holder, the course or skill, the issue date and whether the credential is valid, expired or revoked.
