By Quick answer: Which certifications are best for teachers in 2027?
- Classroom tech — Google Certified Educator.
- AI — AI Essentials, AI for Everyone, Elements of AI.
- Materials — Canva, free.
- Safety — CPR and First Aid.
Key takeaways
- Teaching licences come from your education authority; these add skills.
- AI literacy helps teachers guide students' AI use.
- Many of the most useful options are free.
Teaching licences come from education authorities, and no online course replaces them. But teachers benefit from skills their training rarely covered: classroom technology, AI, design and safety. These eight certifications add them, several for free.
Eight teacher certifications at a glance
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 | Google for Education Certified EducatorGoogle for Education | Check the official page1 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan2 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
| 3 | Canva Design School CoursesCanva | Free3 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 4 | AI For EveryoneDeepLearning.AI / Coursera | Free to audit on Coursera4 | About 7 hours | Free test |
| 5 | Elements of AIUniversity of Helsinki & MinnaLearn | Free5 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 6 | CPR, AED & First Aid CertificationAmerican Red Cross | Varies by class and location6 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 7 | CS50: Introduction to Computer ScienceHarvard University | Free7 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 8 | OpenAI AcademyOpenAI | Free8 | Self-paced | 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.)
- AI for Teachers and Educators CertificationPractise for Google for Education Certified Educator before you pay.Start free test →
- AI Literacy CertificationPractise for Google AI Essentials before you pay.Start free test →
- Canva Certification TestPractise for Canva Design School Courses before you pay.Start free test →
- First Aid TestPractise for CPR, AED & First Aid Certification before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and how it helps in class
- Google for EducationGoogle for Education Certified EducatorClassroom technologyCheck the official page
- CourseraGoogle AI EssentialsAI at work$49/mo Coursera plan
- CanvaCanva Design School CoursesTeaching materials, freeFree
Google for Education Certified Educator
- Cost
- Check the official page1
Google for Education's credential for teachers using Google tools in class. Check its page for fees. Google for Education's Certified Educator credential proves practical skill with Google Workspace tools in the classroom. It suits teachers in schools using Google; check the official page for fees.
Best forclassroom technology
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan2
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI for lesson planning and admin, under ten hours. 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 forAI at work
Canva Design School Courses
- Cost
- Free3
Free courses for making worksheets, slides and posters. Canva Design School's free courses teach layout, typography, colour and Canva's own tools, including its AI features. They suit marketers, creators, teachers and small businesses who need good visuals fast.
Best forteaching materials, free
AI For Everyone
- Cost
- Free to audit on Coursera4
- Time
- About 7 hours
Non-technical AI literacy, about seven hours, free to audit. Andrew Ng's non-technical course explains what AI can and can't do, how AI projects work and how to plan for AI in an organisation. It takes about seven hours, can be audited free on Coursera and is a strong first step for managers and non-specialists.
Best forAI literacy
Elements of AI
- Cost
- Free5
- Time
- Self-paced
A free introduction to AI from the University of Helsinki. The University of Helsinki and MinnaLearn's free, self-paced course explains AI concepts without code, from machine learning basics to societal impact. It's one of the most accessible introductions to AI for anyone.
Best forAI basics, free
CPR, AED & First Aid Certification
- Cost
- Varies by class and location6
CPR, AED and First Aid; prices vary by class and location. American Red Cross CPR, AED and First Aid classes teach life-saving skills in a few hours, often with an in-person skills check. Prices vary by class and location, and certification needs periodic renewal.
Best forclassroom safety
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
- Cost
- Free7
Harvard's free CS course, for teachers adding computing. Harvard's free introduction to computer science teaches C, Python, SQL and web development through demanding problem sets, with a free certificate. An optional paid verified certificate is available through edX.
Best forteaching computing
OpenAI Academy
- Cost
- Free8
Free learning on using AI tools well. OpenAI Academy's free learning covers using ChatGPT and OpenAI's tools effectively at work and in education. It's practical and tool-specific, so pair it with a tool-neutral course if you use several assistants.
Best forAI tools, free
Pick by teaching need
| Need | Certification |
|---|---|
| Digital classroom | Google Certified Educator |
| AI in lessons | AI Essentials, AI for Everyone |
| Materials | Canva |
| Safety | CPR and First Aid |
Table: Teacher certifications by need
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications that add practical skills for teachers, alongside (not replacing) teaching licences. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Which certification is best for teachers?
Google Certified Educator for classroom tech; Google AI Essentials for AI.
Are there free certifications for teachers?
Yes: Canva, Elements of AI, OpenAI Academy and CS50 are free.
Do these replace a teaching licence?
No. Licences come from your education authority.
Should teachers learn AI?
Yes; it helps with planning and with guiding students' use.
Is there a free test for teachers?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free AI, Google Workspace and teaching-skills tests.
Sources
- Google for Education — Google for Education Certified Educator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Canva — Canva Design School Courses, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- DeepLearning.AI — AI For Everyone, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- University of Helsinki & MinnaLearn — Elements of AI, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- American Red Cross — CPR, AED & First Aid Certification, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Harvard University — CS50: Introduction to Computer Science, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- OpenAI — OpenAI Academy, 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
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Certifications by Profession (2027 Directory) — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best AI certifications for education professionals in 2027The 6 best AI certifications for education professionals in 2027: AI Essentials, Prompting, AI for Everyone, Elements of AI, OpenAI and Google Educator.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top online courses and certifications for retirees and seniors in 2027: learn for joy, safety or extra incomeThe 7 best online courses and certifications for retirees and seniors in 2027: Elements of AI, AI for Everyone, CS50, Canva, CPR, Google IT Support and HubSpot.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top online certifications for high school students in 2027: eight free or low-cost picksThe 8 best online certifications for high school students in 2027: CS50, Elements of AI, Kaggle, freeCodeCamp, PCEP, Canva, Red Cross CPR and AI Essentials.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best AI certifications for teachers in 2027: seven for using AI well in the classroomThe 7 best AI certifications for teachers in 2027: Google AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, AI for Everyone, Elements of AI, OpenAI and Anthropic academies.
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free AI certifications in 2027: seven that cost nothing and still teach you something real7 free AI certifications for 2027: Elements of AI, Harvard CS50 AI, Kaggle, Anthropic, OpenAI Academy, Microsoft Learn and AI For Everyone, with what's free.
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