By Quick answer: Which online certifications are recognised in my country?
- Global — AWS, Azure, PMP, PL-300.
- USA — Security+ for government roles.
- UK and Australia — ITIL 4.
- India — Salesforce and cloud.
Key takeaways
- Vendor certifications mean the same everywhere.
- Local patterns decide which ones matter most.
- Regulated professions need local licences.
Most respected certifications are global: an AWS exam is the same in Mumbai and Manchester. But each market has its own patterns. This guide shows which certifications travel everywhere and what's distinctive in five major markets.
Eight certifications that travel
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1501 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members4 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 6 | ITIL 4 FoundationPeopleCert / AXELOS | Check the official page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead7 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 8 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan8 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- PMP Practice ExamPractise for PMP – Project Management Professional before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and where it's strongest
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateEvery market$150
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Every marketExam priced by country
- CompTIACompTIA Security+US government roles and beyondVoucher price on the CompTIA store
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1501
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
The same $150 exam worldwide. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forevery market
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Microsoft prices exams by country. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forevery market
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Global, with special weight in US government roles. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forUS government roles and beyond
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members4
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
PMI's credential is global. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forevery market
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Global Power BI credential. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forevery market
ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cost
- Check the official page6
Especially common in the UK and Australia. PeopleCert's ITIL 4 Foundation covers the core concepts of IT service management and continual improvement. It's foundation-level, quick to prepare for and especially common in IT service roles in the UK and Australia.
Best forUK and Australia
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead7
Widely requested in India's IT services. Salesforce's Certified Administrator proves you can configure, secure and maintain a Salesforce org. Training is free on Trailhead and the exam fee is listed there, making it a common route into CRM and RevOps careers.
Best forIndia's IT services
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan8
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI everywhere. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forevery market
Country guides
| Country | Full guide |
|---|---|
| USA | Top 10 in the USA |
| UK | Top 10 in the UK |
| India | Top 10 in India |
| Canada | Top 10 in Canada |
| Australia | Top 10 in Australia |
Table: Certification guides by country
How we ranked these picks
We chose globally recognised certifications and noted local patterns in each market. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which certifications are recognised worldwide?
AWS, Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco and PMI credentials.
Do exam prices differ by country?
Some vendors, like Microsoft, price by country.
What about regulated professions?
They need local licences.
Which certification is best for working abroad?
A global vendor certification in your field.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests worldwide.
Sources
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PeopleCert — ITIL 4 Foundation, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
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- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
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