A certificate represents the level of skill, expertise, and reliability of an individual. This certification is generally awarded by a known or recognized organization to an individual, which can be used as proof that an individual possesses certain knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to the certification process.
Certificates are legal documents issued by authorized institutions. A certificate provides an individual with a document that can be used as evidence of qualifications and as such, use as validation for employment purposes.
Some certificates are awarded by non-profit organizations or governmental agencies that either does not require payment or may charge only a small fee to cover administration costs. Others are offered by commercial organizations and conversely, some certificates can be offered by academic institutions charging tuition fees.