Certificate of completion template (free Word and PDF)
A clean landscape certificate for courses, workshops and training programmes. Edit it in Word, or print the PDF and fill it in by hand.
Free to use, edit and share. Opens in Microsoft Office, Google Docs and Sheets, and LibreOffice.
What a completion certificate should include
- Your organisation's name and logo, so the certificate shows who issued it.
- A clear title, such as "Certificate of Completion" or "Certificate of Achievement".
- The learner's full name, spelled as they want it to appear.
- The course or programme name, specific enough to mean something to an employer.
- Duration, hours or score where it adds value, for example "12 hours" or "passed with 84%".
- Date of issue.
- A unique certificate ID, so the certificate can be checked against your records.
- A signature, name and title of the person authorising it.
How to customise the template in Word
- Open the file and replace the text in square brackets.
- To add a logo, click above the organisation name and choose Insert, then Pictures.
- To change colours, select the text and use the font colour button. Keep two colours at most.
- Save as PDF (File, then Save As, then PDF) before sending, so the layout does not shift on other computers.
- For many learners, use Word's Mail Merge with a spreadsheet of names, then save each certificate as PDF.
Types of certificates you can make from it
| Type | Title wording | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Completion | Certificate of Completion | The learner finished all course requirements |
| Achievement | Certificate of Achievement | The learner passed an assessment or reached a score |
| Participation | Certificate of Participation | Workshops, webinars, events, competitions |
| Training | Training Certificate | Staff or compliance training |
| Appreciation | Certificate of Appreciation | Volunteers, guest speakers, mentors |
Making certificates people value
A certificate carries weight when it is earned and can be checked. Tie it to a test with a sensible pass mark, name the skill clearly, and keep a record of every ID you issue. If someone asks whether a certificate is genuine, you can confirm it in seconds.
Issuing certificates automatically
Making certificates by hand is fine for a single workshop. For a course that runs every month, it becomes a chore. On AcadifyLab, certificates are issued automatically when a learner completes a course, on every plan, and you keep a record of each one. The first plan uses a standard design; from the second plan up, certificates use your own design.
Common questions
Is this certificate template free?
Yes. The Word and PDF versions are free to download, edit and use, including for paid courses.
Can I add my own logo?
Yes. In the Word version, click above the organisation name and insert your logo as a picture.
How do I make certificates for many learners at once?
Use Mail Merge in Word with a spreadsheet of learner names and course details, or use an LMS that issues certificates automatically on completion.
What size is the certificate?
A4 landscape. To print on US Letter, change the page size in Word under Layout, then Size. The design will adjust.
Does AcadifyLab issue certificates automatically?
Yes. Completion certificates are included on every plan, in a standard design on the first plan and your own design from the second plan up.
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