Learn what it means to be partner-verified on Upwork, who qualifies for the status, and how certified freelancers benefit from added credibility and extra Connects.
In this article
- What is the Partner Certified Talent program?
- What does it mean to be Partner Certified on Upwork?
- Who can become Partner Certified on Upwork?
- What are the benefits of being Partner Certified?
- How do I earn a Partner Certified badge?
What is the Partner Certified Talent program?
The Partner Certified Talent program brings trusted, externally validated certifications into Upwork, giving freelancers a way to validate their technical skills and build credibility directly on the platform. Through partnerships with trusted companies, Upwork makes certifications available to freelancers in the in-demand skill areas clients are actively hiring for. Once you complete and claim a certification, it becomes part of your reputation on Upwork, surfaced in profiles and proposals so clients can find and hire you with confidence.
Being partner-certified lets clients know you have:
- Completed specialized training or certification programs with one of Upwork's accredited partners
- Had your skills and credentials certified by these partners
What does it mean to be Partner Certified on Upwork?
Being Partner Certified on Upwork means you've completed a certification from one of Upwork's trusted partners, and that certification has been verified and added to your profile. Partner certifications are issued and validated externally, giving clients a credible, trusted signal of your technical expertise.
Once you’ve added your completed certification, it will appear in the Certifications section of your profile, and a Partner Certified badge is applied to your profile, which will be surfaced across profiles and proposals. You will also have the opportunity to add the associated skill to your profile, indicating it has been Partner Certified as well.
This helps clients discover and evaluate you with greater confidence - and helps you stand out in the moments that matter most.
Who can become Partner Certified on Upwork?
Any freelancer with an Upwork account can become Partner Certified - whether you're just starting out or have an established presence on the platform. If you've completed a certification from one of Upwork's trusted partners, you're eligible to claim it and add it to your profile.
To ensure your certification is recognized, the email address associated with your account on the partner's platform needs to match the email address on your Upwork account. If they don't match, your certification will not be automatically detected.
What are the benefits of being Partner Certified?
Being Partner Certified can help increase your opportunities on Upwork, especially when you're just starting out and need to build trust and credibility with clients. When you're Partner Certified, you'll get:
- A badge displayed on your profile and proposals, helping you showcase certified skills to clients and stand out in the moments they're actively hiring
- 150 free Connects every time you claim a certification from a new partner, so you can start submitting proposals and going after more opportunities right away
- Trusted, external validation of the skills you're listing, giving clients greater confidence in your expertise beyond self-reported experience
- More opportunities to get discovered and attract inbound from clients actively searching for your exact skills
How do I earn a Partner Certified badge?
There are two ways to add a Partner Certified badge on Upwork:
If you've already completed a partner certification: You can manually claim your completed certification directly from the Certifications section of your profile. Once claimed, your Partner Certified badge will appear automatically.
If you haven't completed a certification yet: Visit the Certifications section of your profile or the Partner Certified page to see available certifications. You'll be directed to the partner's website to complete the certification. Once it’s completed, your credential is automatically sent to Upwork and you'll then be notified to claim it from your profile and your badge will appear.